Unfired Clay-Cork Granules Bricks Reinforced with Natural Stabilizers: Thermomechanical Characteristics Assessment

Fatima Zohra El Wardi, Sara Ladouy, Abdelhamid Khabbazi, Khalid Ibaaz, Asmae Khaldoun

Abstract


Cork is an ecological, natural, and renewable additive, an excellent thermal and acoustic insulator. All these attributes encourage its use in the building sector. Adding this additive to the Earth leads to a more lightweight composite with better thermal performance than the Earth alone. Unfortunately, the mechanical performance of this composite is degraded significantly, limiting its use in construction applications. The authors propose in this study to stabilize the clay-cork composite using natural stabilizers. A chemical stabilization was tested using local quick-lime, in addition to a physical stabilization using natural sheep-wool fibers. The primary purpose is to propose eco-friendly construction material with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties and the lowest environmental impact based on local and ecological raw materials to encourage more sustainable and low-energy constructions. First, physicochemical and mineralogical characterization of used clay was investigated. Then, an experimental investigation was conducted to identify the lime content that allows the optimal stabilization for the used clay. In this context, many different specimens of Bensmim soil stabilized with lime at six many contents 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 70% were prepared and tested. The obtained results showed that the optimal lime content for the better stabilization of the used soil is about 30%. Next, an experimental study of thermomechanical properties was conducted on unfired clay bricks mixed with expended cork granules and stabilized by the addition of variable proportions of quick-lime 0, 10 and 30% and sheep-wool fibers 0, 1, and 2%. The mechanical performance of the specimens was investigated in terms of compressive and flexural strengths. At the same time, thermal quality was qualified through evaluating thermal conductivity using the steady-state Asymmetrical Hot Plate test method. The very encouraging experimental findings showed that using lime and sheep-wool fibers at the studied addition content resulted in lightweight composites with lower thermal conductivity and higher compressive and flexural strength than reference samples. The highest thermomechanical performances are obtained with clay-cork blocks reinforced with 30% lime content and 2% sheep-wool fibers. This block recorded values of 583 kg/m3, 0.155 W/m/K, 1.55 MPa, and 3.91 MPa, for bulk density, thermal conductivity, flexural and compressive strength respectively, compared to 765 kg/m3, 0.238 W/m/K, 0.96 MPa and 2.29 MPa for control samples. New material presents lightweight material for both improved thermal and mechanical qualities encouraging its use in building applications.

 

Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091778

Full Text: PDF


Keywords


Unfired Clay Bricks; Expended Cork Granules; Quick-lime; Sheep-wool Fibers; Physicochemical and Mineral Identification; Thermal Conductivity; Mechanical Strength.

References


Borges, Andreia, Inês Flores-Colen, and Jorge de Brito. “Physical and Mechanical Performance of Cement-Based Renders with Different Contents of Fly Ash, Expanded Cork Granules and Expanded Clay.” Construction and Building Materials 191 (2018): 535–43. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.10.043.

Mounir, Soumia, Abdelhamid Khabbazi, Fatima Zohra Elwardi, Khalid Elharrouni, and Youssef Maaloufa. “Energy Efficiency and Impact Carbon of a Multilayer Material Composed of Ecological Additives.” In Energy Procedia, 157:419–27, 2019. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2018.11.206.

Wardi, Fatima Zohra El, Abou Bakr Cherki, Soumia Mounir, Abdelhamid Khabbazi, and Youssef Maaloufa. “Thermal Characterization of a New Multilayer Building Material Based on Clay, Cork and Cement Mortar.” In Energy Procedia, 157:480–91, 2019. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2018.11.212.

Hernández-Olivares, F., M. R. Bollati, M. Del Rio, and B. Parga-Landa. “Development of Cork-Gypsum Composites for Building Applications.” Construction and Building Materials 13, no. 4 (1999): 179–86. doi:10.1016/S0950-0618(99)00021-5.

Wardi, Fatima Zohra El, Abdelhamid Khabbazi, Asmae Khaldoun, and Ghita El Boukili. “Thermal Behavior of a New Eco-Friendly Sandwich Material Based on Clay Combining with Granular Cork.” In Proceedings of 2019 7th International Renewable and Sustainable Energy Conference, IRSEC 2019, 1–6, 2019. doi:10.1109/IRSEC48032.2019.9078214.

Cooke, Bussler W. “GB: Cork and the Cork Tree (Kork und Korkeiche).” Pergamon Press, Oxford-London-New York-Paris, (1961).

Pereira, Helena. “Cork: Biology: Production and Uses.” Elsevier, (2011).

Cherki, Abou Bakr, Benjamin Remy, Abdelhamid Khabbazi, Yves Jannot, and Dominique Baillis. “Experimental Thermal Properties Characterization of Insulating Cork-Gypsum Composite.” Construction and Building Materials 54 (2014): 202–9. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.12.076.

Wardi, Fatima Zohra El, Abdelhamid Khabbazi, Abou Bakr Cherki, and Asmae Khaldoun. “Thermomechanical Study of a Sandwich Material with Ecological Additives.” Construction and Building Materials 252 (2020): 119093. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119093.

Sair, S., B. Mandili, M. Taqi, and A. El Bouari. “Development of a New Eco-Friendly Composite Material Based on Gypsum Reinforced with a Mixture of Cork Fibre and Cardboard Waste for Building Thermal Insulation.” Composites Communications 16 (2019): 20–24. doi:10.1016/j.coco.2019.08.010.

Guettala, A, H Houari, B Mezghiche, and R Chebili. “Durability of Lime Stabilized Earth Blocks.” Courrier Du Savoir-N°02, (2002).

Raheem, A A, O A Bello, and O A Makinde. “A Comparative Study of Cement and Lime Stabilized Lateritic Interlocking Blocks.” The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology-27 11, no. 2 (2010): 27–34.

Al-Hasan, Soleen Jaber Ahmad, R. Balamuralikrishnan, and Motasem Altarawneh. "Eco-Friendly Asphalt Approach for the Development of Sustainable Roads." Journal of Human, Earth, and Future 1, no. 3 (2020): 97-111. doi:10.28991/HEF-2020-01-03-01.

Millogo, Younoussa, Mohamed Hajjaji, and Raguilnaba Ouedraogo. “Microstructure and Physical Properties of Lime-Clayey Adobe Bricks.” Construction and Building Materials 22, no. 12 (2008): 2386–92. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2007.09.002.

Al-Mukhtar, Muzahim, Abdelmadjid Lasledj, and Jean Francois Alcover. “Behaviour and Mineralogy Changes in Lime-Treated Expansive Soil at 20°C.” Applied Clay Science 50, no. 2 (2010): 191–98. doi:10.1016/j.clay.2010.07.023.

Hubert guillaud, Hugo Houben. Traité de Construction En Terre. Journal Des Africanistes. Vol. 60. Éditions Parenthèses: Marseille, 2015.

Fiore, V., G. Di Bella, and A. Valenza. “Effect of Sheep Wool Fibers on Thermal Insulation and Mechanical Properties of Cement-Based Composites.” Journal of Natural Fibers 17, no. 10 (2020): 1532–43. doi:10.1080/15440478.2019.1584075.

Cardinale, Tiziana, Giuseppe Arleo, Franco Bernardo, Andrea Feo, and Piero De Fazio. “Thermal and Mechanical Characterization of Panels Made by Cement Mortar and Sheep’s Wool Fibres.” Energy Procedia 140 (2017): 159–69. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2017.11.132.

Zach, Jiří, Azra Korjenic, Vít Petránek, Jitka Hroudová, and Thomas Bednar. “Performance Evaluation and Research of Alternative Thermal Insulations Based on Sheep Wool.” Energy and Buildings 49 (2012): 246–53. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.02.014.

Fantilli, Alessandro P., Silvio Sicardi, and Francesca Dotti. “The Use of Wool as Fiber-Reinforcement in Cement-Based Mortar.” Construction and Building Materials 139 (2017): 562–69. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.10.096.

Mounir, Soumia, Abdelhamid Khabbazi, Asmae Khaldoun, Youssef Maaloufa, and Yassine El Hamdouni. “Thermal Inertia and Thermal Properties of the Composite Material Clay-Wool.” Sustainable Cities and Society 19 (2015): 191–99. doi:10.1016/j.scs.2015.07.018.

Atbir, Aziza, Fatima Zohra El Wardi, Abdelhamid Khabbazi, and Moha Cherkaoui. “Thermophysical Study of a Multi-Layer Brick of Grids Made of Sheep’s Wool Yarn and Clay.” AIP Conference Proceedings 2123, no. 1 (2019): 30002. doi:10.1063/1.5117033.

Corscadden, K. W., J. N. Biggs, and D. K. Stiles. “Sheep’s Wool Insulation: A Sustainable Alternative Use for a Renewable Resource?” Resources, Conservation and Recycling 86 (2014): 9–15. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.01.004.

Alyousef, Rayed, Hisham Alabduljabbar, Hossein Mohammadhosseini, Abdeliazim Mustafa Mohamed, Ayesha Siddika, Fahed Alrshoudi, and Abdulaziz Alaskar. “Utilization of Sheep Wool as Potential Fibrous Materials in the Production of Concrete Composites.” Journal of Building Engineering 30 (2020). doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101216.

Doat, Patrice, Alain Hays, Hugo Houben, Silvia Matuk, and François Vitoux. “Construir En Terre, Par Le CRATerre.” Paris: Editions l’Harmatta. Collection AnArchitecture, (1979): 265.

NF-P 11-300. “Classification Des Materiaux Utilisables Dans La Construction Des Remblais et Des Couches de Forme d’infrastructures Routiers,” (2008).

Olphen, Hendrik Van. “An Introduction to Clay Colloid Chemistry, for Clay Technologists, Geologists, and Soil Scientists.” (1977).

Muñoz Velasco, P., M. P. Morales Ortíz, M. A. Mendívil Giró, and L. Muñoz Velasco. “Fired Clay Bricks Manufactured by Adding Wastes as Sustainable Construction Material - A Review.” Construction and Building Materials 63 (2014): 97–107. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.03.045.

Muñoz V., P., M. P. Morales O., V. Letelier G., and M. A. Mendívil G. “Fired Clay Bricks Made by Adding Wastes: Assessment of the Impact on Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties.” Construction and Building Materials 125 (2016): 241–52. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.024.

Carretero, M. I., M. Dondi, B. Fabbri, and M. Raimondo. “The Influence of Shaping and Firing Technology on Ceramic Properties of Calcareous and Non-Calcareous Illitic-Chloritic Clays.” Applied Clay Science 20, no. 6 (2002): 301–6. doi:10.1016/S0169-1317(01)00076-X.

Kozlowski, Ryszard M. “Handbook of Natural Fibres.” Edited by Ed. Handbook of Natural Fibres. Woodhead Publishing in Association with the Textile Institute, Series in Textiles. Oxford-Cambridge-Philadelphia-New Delhi, 2012. doi:10.1533/9780857095510.

Temga, Jean Pierre, Achille Balo Madi, Simon Basga Djakba, Philemon Zo o. Zame, Monique Abessolo Angue, Jacques Richard Mache, Jean Pierre Nguetnkam, and Lucien Dieudonné Bitom. “Lime – and Sand – Stabilization of Clayey Materials from the Logone Valley (Lake Chad Basin) for Their Utilisation as Building Materials.” Journal of Building Engineering 19 (2018): 472–79. doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2018.06.003.

Barbero-Barrera, M. Mar, Félix Jové-Sandoval, and Sonia González Iglesias. “Assessment of the Effect of Natural Hydraulic Lime on the Stabilisation of Compressed Earth Blocks.” Construction and Building Materials 260 (2020): 119877. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119877.

Jannot, Yves. “Théorie et pratique de la métrologie thermique.” Lab. D’Energétique Mécanique Théorique Appliquée LEMTA. (2011).

Miqueleiz, L., F. Ramírez, A. Seco, R. M. Nidzam, J. M. Kinuthia, A. Abu Tair, and R. Garcia. “The Use of Stabilised Spanish Clay Soil for Sustainable Construction Materials.” Engineering Geology 133–134 (2012): 9–15. doi:10.1016/j.enggeo.2012.02.010.

Taallah, Bachir, and Abdelhamid Guettala. “The Mechanical and Physical Properties of Compressed Earth Block Stabilized with Lime and Filled with Untreated and Alkali-Treated Date Palm Fibers.” Construction and Building Materials 104 (2016): 52–62. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.12.007.

Wardi, Fatima Zohra El, Abdelhamid Khabbazi, Chaimaa Bencheikh, Houda Ennaceri, and Asmae Khaldoun. “Insulation Material for a Model House in Zaouiat Sidi Abdessalam.” In Proceedings of 2017 International Renewable and Sustainable Energy Conference, IRSEC 2017, 1–6. Tangier: IEEE, 2018. doi:10.1109/IRSEC.2017.8477582.

Florea, Iacob, and Daniela Lucia Manea. “Analysis of Thermal Insulation Building Materials Based on Natural Fibers.” In Procedia Manufacturing, 32:230–35. Tirgu Mures, Romania, 2019. doi:10.1016/j.promfg.2019.02.207.

Ouedraogo, Kouka Amed Jeremy, Jean Emmanuel Aubert, Christelle Tribout, and Gilles Escadeillas. “Is Stabilization of Earth Bricks Using Low Cement or Lime Contents Relevant?” Construction and Building Materials 236 (2020): 117578. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117578.

Liuzzi, S., M. R. Hall, P. Stefanizzi, and S. P. Casey. “Hygrothermal Behaviour and Relative Humidity Buffering of Unfired and Hydrated Lime-Stabilised Clay Composites in a Mediterranean Climate.” Building and Environment 61 (2013): 82–92. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.12.006.

Wardi, Fatima Zohra El, Soumia Mounir, Aziza Atbir, Abdelhamid Khabbazi, and Khalid Ibaas. “Effect of Artificial Porosity on the Thermal Behavior and the Lightness of an Eco-Friendly Building Material Based on Clay and Granular Cork.” AIP Conference Proceedings 2345, no. 1 (2021): 20008. doi:10.1063/5.0049385.

Elhamdouni, Yassine, Abdelhamid Khabbazi, Chaimaa Benayad, Abdallah Dadi, and Oumar Idriss Ahmid. “Effect of Fiber Alfa on Thermophysical Characteristics of a Material Based on Clay.” In Energy Procedia, 74:718–27, 2015. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2015.07.807.

Maaloufa,Youssef. “Étude de comportement thermique et mécanique de nouveaux matériaux composites à additifs écologiques destinés a l’efficacité énergétique plâtre + fibre alpha/plâtre + liège.” PhD thesis, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco, 2019.

Vasconcelos, G., P. B. Lourenço, A. Camões, A. Martins, and S. Cunha. “Evaluation of the Performance of Recycled Textile Fibres in the Mechanical Behaviour of a Gypsum and Cork Composite Material.” Cement and Concrete Composites 58 (2015): 29–39. doi:10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2015.01.001.

Vasconcelos, G., P. B. Lourenço, P. Mendonça, A. Camões, R. Mateus, L. Bragança, A. G. Brito, and E. Poletti. “Proposal of an Innovative Solution for Partition Walls: Mechanical, Thermal and Acoustic Validation.” Construction and Building Materials 48 (2013): 961–79. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.07.079.

Dénes, Orsolya, Iacob Florea, and Daniela Lucia Manea. “Utilization of Sheep Wool as a Building Material.” In Procedia Manufacturing, 32:236–41. Tirgu Mures, Romania, 2019. doi:10.1016/j.promfg.2019.02.208.

Aziz, M. A., P. Paramasivam, and S. L. Lee. Concrete Reinforced With Natural Fibres. New Reinf Concr. Surrey University Press, (1984).


Full Text: PDF

DOI: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091778

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.




Copyright (c) 2021 Fatima Zohra El Wardi

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
x
Message