Natural and Recycled Stabilizers for Rammed Earth Material Optimization

Abstract

The interest in more environmentally sustainable building materials has led to the rediscovery of ancient and natural-based ones such as rammed earth (hereinafter RE). Nowadays, RE material is stabilized by the addition of small amount of cement in the mixture that, however, reduces its recyclability and poses concerns in terms of adverse environmental effects. According to a circular economy approach, the improvement of RE properties may be better carried out by the addiction of by-products from other production chains. In this vein, this study introduces a novel stabilization technique for RE materials that makes use of local soils, aggregates, fibers and waste materials, which allows for a significant improvement of their mechanical, physical and thermal properties.