Soil-Lime Blocks Using Construction Residues - Durability Study

Abstract

The construction industry in addition to being considered one of the biggest natural resources consumers is still responsible for generating large quantities of residues. The impacts caused by these residues have motivated research aimed at developing new techniques for reuse and recycling this material by using as raw material to make alternative materials. The introduction of demolition residues (DR) in soil-lime bricks replacing part of the pozzolan becomes possible due to the cementing properties that these residues may present when finely grounded. This study aims to evaluate the durability of soil-lime blocks embedded with demolition residues. For this study the raw materials were characterized by particle size distribution analysis, X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis. Then test specimens were prepared using mixes in a 1:10 ratio of lime:soil and embedded with residue in partial replacement of lime, in the proportions of 25%, 50% and 75% with curing period of 90 days. Later, the test specimens were evaluated for durability. The results showed that soil-lime bricks embedded with contents above 50% of residues had their durability affected.