The Effect of Recycled Crushed Brick Aggregate on the Physical–Mechanical Properties of Earth Blocks

The use of different components, such as alternative aggregates, represents an innovation in construction. According to various studies, these components improve certain properties of the elements that incorporate them. Specifically, recycled construction aggregates (RCAs)—such as crushed ceramic br...

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Main Authors: Carlos Alberto Casapino-Espinoza, José Manuel Gómez-Soberón, María Consolación Gómez-Soberón
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/1/145
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author Carlos Alberto Casapino-Espinoza
José Manuel Gómez-Soberón
María Consolación Gómez-Soberón
author_facet Carlos Alberto Casapino-Espinoza
José Manuel Gómez-Soberón
María Consolación Gómez-Soberón
author_sort Carlos Alberto Casapino-Espinoza
collection DOAJ
description The use of different components, such as alternative aggregates, represents an innovation in construction. According to various studies, these components improve certain properties of the elements that incorporate them. Specifically, recycled construction aggregates (RCAs)—such as crushed ceramic bricks (CCBs)—offer several benefits, including reducing landfill waste, enhancing the mechanical properties of the elements that integrate them, and ensuring availability. This research focuses on utilizing these waste materials and determining their feasibility and compatibility (in the short term) for manufacturing traditional earth blocks (EBs). This is achieved by studying the physical and mechanical properties of CCBs in matrices for EB construction, adhering to performance standards, emphasizing the advantages these aggregates provide for mechanical properties in sustainable construction and applying them in the context of traditional construction. Correlations were established through a statistical study of experimental data, graphically indicating the relationship between the different properties of CCBs, the mix design process, and the structural behavior of the resulting EB. Based on the key variable of the CCB replacement percentage, properties such as the elastic module by ultrasound, porosity, and expansion by hygroscopicity were analyzed, alongside mechanical properties like compressive and flexural strength. The results show that EBs with CCBs increases porosity by up to 21.59%. These blocks exhibit dimensional shrinkage of up to 14.5%, correlating with the increase in the CCB content. This aggregate replacement leads to a reduction in compressive strength (up to −23%) and flexural strength (up to −17.43%); however, all CCB content levels studied met the requirements of the applied standards. It is concluded that CCBs satisfactorily modifies the properties of the EBs and is suitable for use in construction.
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spelling doaj-art-e6685a9a1fc34dc1b90a07f174f1a4bf2025-01-10T13:16:11ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-01-0115114510.3390/buildings15010145The Effect of Recycled Crushed Brick Aggregate on the Physical–Mechanical Properties of Earth BlocksCarlos Alberto Casapino-Espinoza0José Manuel Gómez-Soberón1María Consolación Gómez-Soberón2Barcelona School of Architecture, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Avenida Diagonal 649, 08028 Barcelona, SpainDepartment of Architecture Technology, Barcelona School of Building Construction, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Av. Doctor Marañón 44-50, 08028 Barcelona, SpainCivil Engineering School, Metropolitan Autonomous University, Av. San Pablo 180, México City 2200, MexicoThe use of different components, such as alternative aggregates, represents an innovation in construction. According to various studies, these components improve certain properties of the elements that incorporate them. Specifically, recycled construction aggregates (RCAs)—such as crushed ceramic bricks (CCBs)—offer several benefits, including reducing landfill waste, enhancing the mechanical properties of the elements that integrate them, and ensuring availability. This research focuses on utilizing these waste materials and determining their feasibility and compatibility (in the short term) for manufacturing traditional earth blocks (EBs). This is achieved by studying the physical and mechanical properties of CCBs in matrices for EB construction, adhering to performance standards, emphasizing the advantages these aggregates provide for mechanical properties in sustainable construction and applying them in the context of traditional construction. Correlations were established through a statistical study of experimental data, graphically indicating the relationship between the different properties of CCBs, the mix design process, and the structural behavior of the resulting EB. Based on the key variable of the CCB replacement percentage, properties such as the elastic module by ultrasound, porosity, and expansion by hygroscopicity were analyzed, alongside mechanical properties like compressive and flexural strength. The results show that EBs with CCBs increases porosity by up to 21.59%. These blocks exhibit dimensional shrinkage of up to 14.5%, correlating with the increase in the CCB content. This aggregate replacement leads to a reduction in compressive strength (up to −23%) and flexural strength (up to −17.43%); however, all CCB content levels studied met the requirements of the applied standards. It is concluded that CCBs satisfactorily modifies the properties of the EBs and is suitable for use in construction.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/1/145earth blocksadoberecycled aggregatescrushed bricksustainable materials
spellingShingle Carlos Alberto Casapino-Espinoza
José Manuel Gómez-Soberón
María Consolación Gómez-Soberón
The Effect of Recycled Crushed Brick Aggregate on the Physical–Mechanical Properties of Earth Blocks
Buildings
earth blocks
adobe
recycled aggregates
crushed brick
sustainable materials
title The Effect of Recycled Crushed Brick Aggregate on the Physical–Mechanical Properties of Earth Blocks
title_full The Effect of Recycled Crushed Brick Aggregate on the Physical–Mechanical Properties of Earth Blocks
title_fullStr The Effect of Recycled Crushed Brick Aggregate on the Physical–Mechanical Properties of Earth Blocks
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Recycled Crushed Brick Aggregate on the Physical–Mechanical Properties of Earth Blocks
title_short The Effect of Recycled Crushed Brick Aggregate on the Physical–Mechanical Properties of Earth Blocks
title_sort effect of recycled crushed brick aggregate on the physical mechanical properties of earth blocks
topic earth blocks
adobe
recycled aggregates
crushed brick
sustainable materials
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/1/145
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