Environmental Analysis Impact Reduction from Replacing a Traditional Mortar with an Earth-Fiber Plaster

Abstract

Mortars based on cement and sand are common in buildings; however, cement is characterized by consuming large amounts of energy. It is stated that there is possibility of reducing emissions to the environment if soil-based mixtures are obtained from the land near the house where they are used, but this is not generally demonstrated through a functional life cycle analysis. The life cycle analysis is carried out “from the cradle to the grave.” In this research, we analyzed the environmental impact of materials used in earth-buildings in Mexico, which are typical in rural houses; three coatings cases were used: one traditional cement-sand, a second based on Earth with lime and fiber, considering that it is transferred manually from the surrounding soil, and another modifying the transfer but with industrial machinery. The fiber was produced from Agave lechuguilla torrey, a plant grown in the same field of housing location; the experimental part was developed at Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico, to obtain the selected composition and coating thickness. The results show that the impact on the environment and climate change can be reduced by up to 65%. Using transport processes with fossil fuel-based equipment considerably increases the impact, so nearby material collection areas should be considered to reduce environmental impact effectively.