Thermal Performance, Microstructure Analysis and Strength Characterisation of Agro-Waste Reinforced Soil Materials

Monica C. M. Parlato (), Simona M. C. Porto, Carmen Galán-Marín, Carlos Alberto Rivera-Gómez, Massimo Cuomo and Francesco Nocera
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Monica C. M. Parlato: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Building and Land Engineering Section (Di3A), Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy
Simona M. C. Porto: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Building and Land Engineering Section (Di3A), Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy
Carmen Galán-Marín: Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas 1, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. de Reina Mercedes, 2, 41012 Seville, Spain
Carlos Alberto Rivera-Gómez: Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas 1, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. de Reina Mercedes, 2, 41012 Seville, Spain
Massimo Cuomo: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, V.le Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
Francesco Nocera: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, V.le Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-20

Abstract: The use of raw-earth materials reinforced by natural fibres, i.e., livestock waste in the form of greasy wool, represents an eco-friendly alternative for a variety of construction applications. This proposal is based on the analysis of unfired adobe blocks stabilised with wool fibres for use as both structural and non-structural building materials. The influence of fibre length on the thermophysical and mechanical properties of the tested material was investigated. The thermal conductivity coefficient (λ) of raw-earth samples was assessed by following three different test setting procedures (T = 20 °C, and HR at 30%, 50%, and 70%), with the aim to evaluate the effects of different fibre lengths in the raw-earth mix. Samples reinforced by fibres 20 mm in length exhibited the lowest thermal conductivity coefficient (λ = 0.719 W/mK) obtained by a test reproducing typical indoor conditions within the Mediterranean area, i.e., T = 20 °C, and HR 50%. The best mechanical performance was exhibited by samples reinforced by fibres 40 mm in length, with a flexural and compression strength of 0.88 MPa and 2.97 MPa, respectively. The microstructure of these biocomposites was also examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) to qualitatively evaluate the variation of thermal and mechanical properties due to the different adhesion among the fibres and the soil. The experimental data show good efficiency and a significant improvement in the behaviour of these materials compared to the control samples. The evaluation of the results, with the length of the fibres being the only variable of the analysed samples, allowed for the identification of the mix suitable for the best mechanical and thermal performances, depending on the final use of the material.

Keywords: raw-earth materials; agro-waste; thermal performance; SEM (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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