Resumo Este trabalho apresenta um estudo realizado para avaliar o efeito da adição de 0,1% em massa de "baba de cupim sintética" em um latossolo arenoargiloso fino (76,5% de areia), proveniente da região de Bauru, SP, Brasil, estabilizado com 1% a 3% de cimento. Foram ensaiados corpos de prova cilíndricos (compactados com energia Proctor normal) para determinar sua resistência à compressão e sua absorção de água. Os resultados indicam que o uso do aditivo produziu aumento de pelo menos 35% na resistência à compressão e reduziu em até 13% a absorção de água das amostras. O trabalho contribui com os esforços de redução do consumo de cimento na construção civil, através da produção de blocos (e tijolos) de terra comprimida (BTC) estabilizada e taipa.

Abstract The aim of this paper is to determine the effect of adding 0.1 wt% of "synthetic termite saliva" on a fine and clayey sand latosol (76.5% sand) from the region of Bauru, SP (Brazil), stabilized with 1% to 3% of cement. Compacted cylindrical specimens (with standard Proctor energy) were tested to determine their compressive strength and water absorption. The results indicate that the use of the chemical stabilizer increased by at least 35% the compressive strength and reduced by up to 13% the water absorption of the samples. This work contributes to efforts aimed at reducing the consumption of cement through the production of stabilized compressed earth blocks and bricks (CEB) and rammed earth.

Brazilian Standard ABNT NBR7190:1997 for timber structures design, adopts a first degree equation to describe the influence of wood moisture content. Periodically, when necessary, the referred standard is revised in order to analyze inconsistencies and to adopt considerations according new realities verified. So, the present paper aims to examine the adequacy of its equation which corrects to 12% of moisture the values of rigidity properties obtained on experimental tests. To quantify the moisture influence on modulus of elasticity, it was applied tests of compression parallel to the grain for six specimens of different strength classes, considering nominal moisture of 12; 20; 25; 30%. As results, modulus of elasticity in the moisture range 25-30% showed statistically equivalents, and was obtained a first degree equation to correlate the studied variables which leads to statically equivalent estimations when compared with results by ABNT NBR7190:1997 equation. However, it was indicated to maintain the current expression for the next text of the referred document review, without prejudice to statistical significance of the estimates.