This paper presents an innovative method for the production of masonry bricks, which combines earth compaction and quick firing at low temperatures. Earth bricks were manufactured according to three different methods, i.e. extrusion, standard Proctor compaction and hypercompaction to 100 MPa. All bricks were fired inside an electrical furnace...
-
2019 (v1)PublicationUploaded on: April 14, 2023
-
2017 (v1)Publication
This paper investigates the mechanical behaviour of a hypercompacted unstabilized earth material manufactured by compressing a moist soil to very high pressures up to 100 MPa. The hypercompaction procedure increases material density, which in turn improves mechanical characteristics. Samples were manufactured at the scale of both small...
Uploaded on: March 27, 2023 -
2017 (v1)Publication
This paper investigates the effect of stabilisation by alkaline activation and silicon based admixture on the mechanical properties, moisture buffering capacity and durability of an earthen material for building construction. The stiffness and strength of both unstabilised and stabilised cylindrical samples were measured, under different...
Uploaded on: April 14, 2023 -
2018 (v1)Publication
The use of raw earth as construction material can save embodied and operational energy because of low processing costs and passive regulation of indoor ambient conditions. Raw earth must however be mechanically and/or chemically stabilised to enhance stiffness, strength and water durability. In this work, stiffness and strength are enhanced by...
Uploaded on: April 14, 2023 -
2017 (v1)Publication
Much research has been devoted over the past 30 years to the development of construction materials that can lower the environmental and economic costs of buildings over their entire life by reducing embodied energy, minimizing air conditioning needs and cutting down demolition waste. In this respect, raw earth is an attractive material because...
Uploaded on: April 14, 2023 -
2020 (v1)Publication
The paper presents the results from a series of thermal tests on five wall samples made of four types of unfired and one type of fired earth bricks. The unfired earth bricks were manufactured in the present work and consisted of Proctor compacted full bricks, hypercompacted full bricks, hypercompacted full bricks with hemp fibres and...
Uploaded on: April 14, 2023 -
2017 (v1)Publication
This paper investigates the mechanical behaviour of a hypercompacted unstabilized earth material manufactured by compressing a moist soil to very high pressures up to 100 MPa. The hypercompaction procedure increases material density, which in turn improves mechanical characteristics. Samples were manufactured at the scale of both small...
Uploaded on: February 14, 2024 -
2021 (v1)Publication
Biopolymers are promising potential soil stabilizers due to their ease of application and stabilization efficacy. Biopolymers are biologically occurring polymers that form hydrogels when added to soil in the presence of water. Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymer networks formed through the interaction of polymer chains with soil particles...
Uploaded on: March 27, 2023 -
2020 (v1)Publication
Earthen construction materials are often chemically stabilised in order to improve their durability against water-induced deterioration. However, chemical stabilisers like cement can negatively affect the hygroscopic behaviour and recyclability potential of the materials they are used to stabilise. This study investigates the potential of using...
Uploaded on: March 27, 2023