Exploring Raw Red Clay as a Supplementary Cementitious Material: Composition, Thermo-Mechanical Performance, Cost, and Environmental Impact

This study explored the potential of natural red clay as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs associated with the cement industry. Given that cement production is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, developing sustai...

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Main Authors: Mohammed Drissi, Othmane Horma, Ahmed Mezrhab, Mustapha Karkri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3906
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author Mohammed Drissi
Othmane Horma
Ahmed Mezrhab
Mustapha Karkri
author_facet Mohammed Drissi
Othmane Horma
Ahmed Mezrhab
Mustapha Karkri
author_sort Mohammed Drissi
collection DOAJ
description This study explored the potential of natural red clay as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs associated with the cement industry. Given that cement production is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, developing sustainable alternatives is of paramount importance. Recognizing the environmental impact of cement production, this research investigates the substitution of conventional cement with raw red clay, aiming to balance mechanical performance with enhanced thermal properties and a lower environmental footprint. Through chemical characterization using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), along with comprehensive mechanical and thermal performance testing, this study identifies the dual role of raw clay in mortar. It was found that incorporating up to 5% by weight of raw clay slightly impacted compressive strength while significantly improving thermal conductivity and diffusivity, cost-efficiency, and environmental sustainability, making it an appealing option for structural applications requiring high mechanical resistance. Conversely, a higher proportion of clay (beyond 5%) compromises compressive strength, but further enhances thermal properties and environmental benefits, suggesting its suitability for applications where low mechanical resistance is acceptable. This investigation highlights the viability of raw clay as a promising SCM, offering a pathway to more sustainable construction materials without the need for energy-intensive processing, thereby contributing to the reduction in the construction sector’s carbon footprint and energy demand.
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spelling doaj-art-d8e539538ca5402a9562a29c933890b52024-12-27T14:15:42ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092024-12-011412390610.3390/buildings14123906Exploring Raw Red Clay as a Supplementary Cementitious Material: Composition, Thermo-Mechanical Performance, Cost, and Environmental ImpactMohammed Drissi0Othmane Horma1Ahmed Mezrhab2Mustapha Karkri3Mechanics and Energy Laboratory, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, MoroccoMechanics and Energy Laboratory, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, MoroccoMechanics and Energy Laboratory, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, MoroccoCERTES, Université Paris-Est Créteil, F-94010 Créteil, FranceThis study explored the potential of natural red clay as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs associated with the cement industry. Given that cement production is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, developing sustainable alternatives is of paramount importance. Recognizing the environmental impact of cement production, this research investigates the substitution of conventional cement with raw red clay, aiming to balance mechanical performance with enhanced thermal properties and a lower environmental footprint. Through chemical characterization using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), along with comprehensive mechanical and thermal performance testing, this study identifies the dual role of raw clay in mortar. It was found that incorporating up to 5% by weight of raw clay slightly impacted compressive strength while significantly improving thermal conductivity and diffusivity, cost-efficiency, and environmental sustainability, making it an appealing option for structural applications requiring high mechanical resistance. Conversely, a higher proportion of clay (beyond 5%) compromises compressive strength, but further enhances thermal properties and environmental benefits, suggesting its suitability for applications where low mechanical resistance is acceptable. This investigation highlights the viability of raw clay as a promising SCM, offering a pathway to more sustainable construction materials without the need for energy-intensive processing, thereby contributing to the reduction in the construction sector’s carbon footprint and energy demand.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3906alternative binderraw red claysupplementary cementitious materialthermomechanical characterizationenvironmental impact
spellingShingle Mohammed Drissi
Othmane Horma
Ahmed Mezrhab
Mustapha Karkri
Exploring Raw Red Clay as a Supplementary Cementitious Material: Composition, Thermo-Mechanical Performance, Cost, and Environmental Impact
Buildings
alternative binder
raw red clay
supplementary cementitious material
thermomechanical characterization
environmental impact
title Exploring Raw Red Clay as a Supplementary Cementitious Material: Composition, Thermo-Mechanical Performance, Cost, and Environmental Impact
title_full Exploring Raw Red Clay as a Supplementary Cementitious Material: Composition, Thermo-Mechanical Performance, Cost, and Environmental Impact
title_fullStr Exploring Raw Red Clay as a Supplementary Cementitious Material: Composition, Thermo-Mechanical Performance, Cost, and Environmental Impact
title_full_unstemmed Exploring Raw Red Clay as a Supplementary Cementitious Material: Composition, Thermo-Mechanical Performance, Cost, and Environmental Impact
title_short Exploring Raw Red Clay as a Supplementary Cementitious Material: Composition, Thermo-Mechanical Performance, Cost, and Environmental Impact
title_sort exploring raw red clay as a supplementary cementitious material composition thermo mechanical performance cost and environmental impact
topic alternative binder
raw red clay
supplementary cementitious material
thermomechanical characterization
environmental impact
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3906
work_keys_str_mv AT mohammeddrissi exploringrawredclayasasupplementarycementitiousmaterialcompositionthermomechanicalperformancecostandenvironmentalimpact
AT othmanehorma exploringrawredclayasasupplementarycementitiousmaterialcompositionthermomechanicalperformancecostandenvironmentalimpact
AT ahmedmezrhab exploringrawredclayasasupplementarycementitiousmaterialcompositionthermomechanicalperformancecostandenvironmentalimpact
AT mustaphakarkri exploringrawredclayasasupplementarycementitiousmaterialcompositionthermomechanicalperformancecostandenvironmentalimpact