Abstract
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 biopolymers (namely guar and xanthan gums) as stabilisers in earthen construction materials. These biopolymers have some advantages over cement in terms of embodied energy and carbon footprint, and are widely available around the world. Previous research has suggested that these biopolymers can provide suitable mechanical properties and here we show that in addition they can provide satisfactory durability performance and improved hygroscopic behaviour. These findings suggest that biopolymers could have significant potential to be used as stabilisers for earthen construction materials.
Highlights
As a structural component of a building, an earthen construction material needs to possess requisite strength to support different structural loads
In the cases of both guar and xanthan gum stabilised bricks, the observed loss of mass was less than 5% and at these low mass losses, the biopolymer stabilised bricks can be deemed suitable for use in external walls as per DIN 18945 [36]
Modern earthen construction materials rely on chemical stabilisers like cement to improve its strength and durability, which diminishes the positive environmental aspects markedly and negatively affects hygroscopic and recycling properties
Summary
As a structural component of a building, an earthen construction material (e.g. rammed earth or a compressed earth block) needs to possess requisite strength to support different structural loads. Two commercially available biopolymers, namely guar and xanthan gums were selected as potential stabilisers due to their availability and effectiveness in withstanding temperature and pH variations [16,17] The effect of these biopolymers on the mechanical properties of stabilised earthen construction material is presented in [18] and is summarised briefly below. It was determined that about 1.5–2.0% of biopolymer content was sufficient to achieve a comparable air-dried compressive strength of 8.0% cement stabilised earthen material Based on these findings, preliminary studies were undertaken to assess the potential of biopolymers as stabilisers in improving the durability of earthen material [20,21]. Hygroscopic properties of these novel building materials which have a direct impact on green credentials are assessed in this study
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