| dc.description.abstract | Modern construction materials must meet a myriad of requirements, including sustainability, structural integrity, thermal efficiency, and acoustic performance. This study assesses the urgent need for eco-friendly construction materials by investigating the potential of using a blend of lime and water hyacinth ash (WHA) as binders in locally sourced soils from Mayenje ward, Busia County. The primary objective was to fabricate Compressed Soil-Lime-Water Hyacinth Ash (CSL-WHA) blocks with suitable acoustic absorption properties for sustainable building and construction. The specific objectives of this study were as follows; (i) To fabricate compressed earth blocks using a binder mixture of lime and water hyacinth ash, ensuring uniformity and structural integrity (ii) To evaluate the acoustical properties of CSL-WHA blocks by recovering key parameters through inverse modeling of transmission data (iii) To assess how binder ratios (lime vs. WHA) influence acoustic properties of CSL-WHA blocks and (iv) To examine the effect of compaction pressure on the acoustic properties of the blocks. The study delved into the feasibility of acoustical modeling for parameter retrieval, ultimately evaluating the potential of CSL-WHA blocks to meet specified acoustic requirements. A series of sixteen formulations were evaluated across four compaction pressures (25–100 bar) to assess the influence of binder composition and key acoustic parameters, including porosity, airflow resistivity, tortuosity, and viscous characteristic length. The results showed that moderate WHA (≤5%) with high compaction pressure (≥75 bar) could yield balanced porosity (~0.30–0.36) while achieving ideal air flow resistivity, tortuosity and viscous characteristic length ranges for sound absorption, striking a balance between acoustic performance and strength. Inverse modeling using the Johnson-Champoux-Allard-Lafarge (JCAL) framework enabled non-destructive recovery of intrinsic acoustic parameters. These findings offer a design matrix for balancing acoustic absorption and mechanical performance, supporting tailored applications in partition walls, facade systems, and low-frequency noise control. Furthermore, the study pioneers the valorization of invasive water hyacinth biomass for acoustic damping, providing a foundation for localized standardization and contributing to circular economy goals. The integration of WHA as a partial binder advances sustainable construction practices, reinforcing material innovation within environmental and acoustic design frameworks. | en_US |
