Abstract
Modern earth masonry increasingly utilises conventional methods of extruded fired brick production for the manufacture of unfired earth bricks. However, these bricks are not generally recommended for structural applications due to their loss of strength under elevated moisture contents. Disproportionate collapse could occur following accidental or intentional wetting of a 100mm thick load bearing unfired earth wall. Unfired clay bricks can be chemically stabilised, typically by the addition of cement or lime to improve wet strength. However, the use of such binders has been shown to be ineffective for silt and clay rich soils used for extruded bricks.
The research presented in this paper demonstrates the change in compressive strength that can be achieved through the addition of metakaolin to cement and lime stabilised extruded earth masonry. Small-scale bricks were manufactured and tested in compression in both ambient environmental conditions and following a minimum of 16 hours of full submersion in water. Though the addition of metakaolin did not universally improve performance. This research presents a feasible solution using 5% lime and 10% metakaolin, that would allow unfired extruded earth masonry units to be used for structural applications.
The research presented in this paper demonstrates the change in compressive strength that can be achieved through the addition of metakaolin to cement and lime stabilised extruded earth masonry. Small-scale bricks were manufactured and tested in compression in both ambient environmental conditions and following a minimum of 16 hours of full submersion in water. Though the addition of metakaolin did not universally improve performance. This research presents a feasible solution using 5% lime and 10% metakaolin, that would allow unfired extruded earth masonry units to be used for structural applications.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 172 |
Number of pages | 180 |
Journal | Construction and Building Materials |
Volume | 78 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 16 Jan 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2015 |
Keywords
- Cement
- Lime
- Compressed Earth Block
- Natural Building Material
- Strength
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Dive into the research topics of 'Use of Metakaolin with stabilised extruded earth masonry units'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
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Andrew Heath
- Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering - Head of Department
- IAAPS: Propulsion and Mobility
- Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER)
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff
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Dan Maskell
- Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering - Senior Lecturer
- Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER)
- Centre for Regenerative Design & Engineering for a Net Positive World (RENEW)
- Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff, Affiliate staff
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Pete Walker
- Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering - Professor
- Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment
- Building Research Park
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Decarbonisation of the Built Environment (dCarb)
- Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change
- Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER)
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff