Effect of Rice Husk addition on the Hygrothermal, Mechanical, and Acoustic Properties of Lightened Adobe Bricks

In the context of ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector, the reintegration of traditional earthen construction techniques into contemporary architectural and renovation practices presents a promising avenue. To address the inherent limitations of adobe bricks in terms of mechanical strength and water resistance, the incorporation of vegetal waste—such as rice husk—is increasingly explored. This experimental study evaluates the impact of rice husk addition on the mechanical, hygrothermal, and acoustic properties of adobe bricks. Two distinct soil types, one predominantly siliceous and the other rich in limestone, were selected and combined with 1 wt%, 2 wt%, and 3 wt% of rice husk to fabricate bio-based earthen bricks.