Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Solid Waste-Based Clay Composites Utilized as Insulating Materials

摘要

The use of masonry clay bricks with different filler materials and dispersed solid phases is investigated. Masonry bricks from two regions in the Middle East, famous for buildings made of clay composites are investigated and compared in order to better enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of the bricks used in terms of strength and insulation. Each region has specific clay type, different filler materials and also different materials suitable to be solid dispersed phases. For example, While Jordan has an abundant supply of olive husk and straw as it has pronounced foliage, the UAE has scarce water resources, and hence palm trees are of the few plant species that can endure in such an environment. It has been concluded that the clay-straw-husk has better thermal insulating properties, but less toughness (area under the stress-strain diagram) than the clay-fronds-pits variety of clay composites.