Sustainable adobe bricks with construction wastes

Abstract

The objective of this research was to manufacture sustainable adobe bricks from mixtures integrating clay excavation wastes, recycled binding aggregates from concrete having a particle size distribution of 0·96 mm and recycled mixed aggregates and binding wastes with a particle size distribution ranging from 0·64 mm to fines, wood cutting wastes and a liquid mixture of water and Opuntia ficus-indica (mucilage) extract as a natural additive. A sustainable manufacturing process was used in which the clay material typically used in the traditional manufacturing of adobe bricks was replaced by excavation wastes of originally unknown composition obtained during the construction of two buildings, in order to investigate whether various excavation wastes having appropriate clay contents can be used as raw materials for manufacturing sustainable adobe bricks. Before using these wastes, preliminary particle size distribution, plasticity and hardness tests were performed in order to determine the appropriate residue dosages for manufacturing adobe bricks. The results have shown that the use of excavation wastes different from the clay soil usually used ensures the quality requested by the Mexican standard for non-structural adobe bricks. Currently, further studies are being conducted to promote their use in building elements.