A Study on the Red Clay Binder Stabilized with a Polymer Aqueous Solution

Jinsung Kim,Hyeun-Min Rye,Keun-Byoung Yoon,Hyeonggil Choi,Dong-Eun Lee

doi:10.3390/polym13010054

Abstract

In this study, the performance evaluation was performed by adding a polymer aqueous (PA) solution as a new additive of the red clay binder for use in the rammed-earth construction method. The evaluation items were compressive strength, water erosion, shrinkage, crystal structure, and microstructure. As a result of the experiment, the binder was improved by efficiently bonding the silica particles by the polymerized polymer. It was confirmed that adding a PA solution to red clay enhances the compressive strength, which is further improved when 5 wt% poly(Acrylic acid(AA)-co-Acrylamide(AM)) is added to the PA solution. Microstructural analysis indicated that the addition of a PA solution facilitates effective bonding of the silica particles of red clay to form hydrogen bonding with poly(AA-co-AM) and encourages aggregate formation. Therefore, the study confirmed that PA solution can be applied to satisfy the performance requirements of the rammed-earth construction by improving the durability and strength of the binder.

Highlights

Rammed-earth construction (REC) is the most primitive soil-wall building method, and it uses an integral formwork made of wood or steel
They may develop long-term strength as carbonation occurs over a long period owing to pozzolanic reaction with the silica particles of red clay [9,13,14,15]
This study investigates the curing characteristics of a red clay binder mixed with powder

Summary

Introduction

Rammed-earth construction (REC) is the most primitive soil-wall building method, and it uses an integral formwork made of wood or steel. The use of red clay to build structures has certain disadvantages; one such disadvantage is the cracking caused by shrinkage owing to the pores To combat this disadvantage, lime or cement may be added as a solidifying agent [7,8,9,10,11,12]. Because the excessive addition of cement degrades the eco-friendliness of red clay, the amount of cement should be minimized as much as possible when it is used as a solidifying agent For this purpose, existing studies have recommended approximately 8–12% as the appropriate cement content for securing the strength of rammed-earth walls [4,16].

Methods

Results

Conclusion