Spent Coffee Grounds as Building Material for Non-Load-Bearing Structures.

Tala Moussa,Guillaume Polidori,Chadi Maalouf,Christophe Bliard,Mohammed Lachi,Boussad Abbes,Fabien Beaumont,Silvana Do Socorro Veloso Sodré,Céline Badouard,Fabien Bogard,Lina Bufalino

doi:10.3390/ma15051689

Abstract

The gradual development of government policies for ecological transition in the modern construction sector leads researchers to explore new alternative and low environmental impact materials with a particular focus on bio-sourced materials. In this perspective, the mechanical, thermal insulation, and the sound absorption performances of a spent coffee grounds/potato starch bio-based composite were analyzed for potential application in buildings. Based on thermal conductivity and diffusivity tests, the coffee grounds waste biocomposite was characterized as an insulating material comparable with conventional thermal insulation materials of plant origin. Acoustical tests revealed absorption coefficients in the same range as other conventional materials used in building acoustical comfort. This bio-sourced material presented a sufficient compressive mechanical behavior for non-load-bearing structures and a sufficient mechanical capacity to be shaped into building bricks. Mechanical, thermal, and acoustic performances depend on the moisture environment. The groundwork was laid for an initial reflection on how this composite would behave in two opposite climates: the continental climate of Reims in France and the tropical climate of Belém in Brazil.

Highlights

The results showed that the inclusion of coffee grounds could increase the apparent porosity and water absorption
Conforming to the geotechnical classification of soils according to the French standard NFP 18-540, the coffee grounds grain-size distribution can be characterized by the uniformity coefficient (Cu), curvature coefficient (Cc), and effective size (D10) from the distribution curve
While of mechanical properties not aa priori building materials applied as non-load-bearing structures, it is necessary to ensure that the material will supas non-load-bearing structures, it is necessary to ensure that the material will support the plied as non-load-bearing structures, it is necessary to ensure that the material will support the weight of the elements above it without collapsing

Summary

Introduction

Global energy consumption has grown rapidly over the past decade. In 2018, the average growth rate was about 2.3%, nearly twice as high as 2010 [1]. This increase is due to population growth, rapid urbanization, and economic development, leading to high demand for heating and cooling worldwide, accompanied by a 1.7% increase in CO2 emissions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, primary energy demand dropped by nearly 4% in 2020 and global energy-related CO2 emissions decreased by 5.8% [2], a huge increase in energy demand is expected in the forthcoming years, especially in the building sector. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, primary energy demand dropped by nearly 4% in 2020 and global energy-related CO2 emissions decreased by 5.8% [2], a huge increase in energy demand is expected in the forthcoming years, especially in the building sector. 4.0/).

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Conclusion