Abstract
Clay has a low environmental impact and can develop into many different products. The research presents two different case studies. In the first, the clay is the binder of raw earth doughs in order to produce clay-bricks. We investigate the effects of natural fibrous reinforcements (rice straws and basalt fibers) in four different mixtures. From the comparison with a mix without reinforcements, it is possible to affirm that the 0.40% of basalt fibers reduce the shrinkage by about 25% and increase the compressive strength by about 30%. Future studies will focus on identifying the fibrous effects on tensile strength and elastic modulus, as well as the optimal percentage of fibers. In the second study, the clay, in form of brick powder (“cocciopesto”), gives high alkaline resistance and breathability performance, as well as rendering and color to the plaster. The latter does not have artificial additives. The plaster respects the cultural instance of the original building. The research underlines how the use of a local (and traditional) material such as clay can be a promoter of sustainability in the contemporary building sector. Future studies must investigate further possible uses of clay as well as a proper regulatory framework.
Highlights
The last few decades have been characterized by the progressive growth of energy demand and consequent depletion of the planet’s material reserves and production of waste
The present study investigates the effect of basalt fiber on the compressive strength of earth blocks
It is possible to define the mortar to be used to preserve the built heritage from the knowledge of the materials available in the area, the morphology and structure of the stones and aggregates. This modus operandi was followed in the treatment of the Scannapieco factory, a building located in the historic center of Catania (Sicily)
Summary
The last few decades have been characterized by the progressive growth of energy demand and consequent depletion of the planet’s material reserves and production of waste. These evaluations are comparable to what emerges from a European analysis [4], which underlines the contribution to greenhouse gas emissions (equal to 36%) and to the production of waste (equal to 50%). These data lead to important reflections considering that the European building stock is inefficient for more than 75% and characterized by age (35% of the buildings are over 50 years old, 85% are over 20 years old). In Europe, the weighted annual energy renovation rate is lower than 1%
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