Brick is a common construction material but often ends up as waste due to suboptimal quality. In Ecuador, artisanal brick production results in inconsistent properties for construction. This research aims to repurpose discarded bricks through geopolymerization to create a sustainable building material. The geopolymerization process was carried out using sodium hydroxide as the alkaline activator, followed by structural and chemical characterization, including X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) to determine composition and crystalline phases. The recycled material underwent extensive testing of its physical and mechanical properties, such as density, porosity, and compressive strength. Its application as facade cladding for housing was also analyzed. The results showed that the geopolymerized material significantly reduced heating and cooling demand when used in building envelopes. A case study in Loja demonstrated a notable decrease in heating and cooling degree days, contributing to improved thermal comfort. This research highlights the potential for recycled bricks in sustainable construction, presenting viable alternatives to conventional construction materials and advancing knowledge in eco-friendly building practices.
Brick is a common construction material but often ends up as waste due to suboptimal quality. In Ecuador, artisanal brick production results in inconsistent properties for construction. This research aims to repurpose discarded bricks through geopolymerization to create a sustainable building material. The geopolymerization process was carried out using sodium hydroxide as the alkaline activator, followed by structural and chemical characterization, including X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) to determine composition and crystalline phases. The recycled material underwent extensive testing of its physical and mechanical properties, such as density, porosity, and compressive strength. Its application as facade cladding for housing was also analyzed. The results showed that the geopolymerized material significantly reduced heating and cooling demand when used in building envelopes. A case study in Loja demonstrated a notable decrease in heating and cooling degree days, contributing to improved thermal comfort. This research highlights the potential for recycled bricks in sustainable construction, presenting viable alternatives to conventional construction materials and advancing knowledge in eco-friendly building practices. Read More
Related posts:
Obtención de ladrillos por procesos de geopolimerización enfocado al mejoramiento de envolventes en edificaciones de uso residencial mediante la verificación de prestaciones constructivas arquitectónicas y ambientales
Dissolved recycled expanded polystyrene as partial replacement in plaster composites
Deviation-Correcting Interface for Building-Envelope Renovation
Valorisation of Tuff and Brick Wastes by Alkali Activation for Historical Building Remediation
Efficient daylighting and thermal performance through tessellation of geometric patterns in building facade: A systematic review
Towards a more sustainable environmentally production system
for the treatment of recycled aggregates in the construction
industry: An experimental study