Performance of Earth Bricks Supplemented by Nanoparticles and their Application in Architecture

The potential for architecture offered by natural materials in terms of comfort, reduction of embodied energy and energy-saving in the operational phase, dictates in-depth research that might highlight advantages and contribute to improving their characteristics. This research focuses on earth bricks and, in particular, a type of brick made from unfired clay, known as adobe. The aim of the research is to verify improvements in performance of adobe with the aid of nanotechnology. The adobe mixture was prepared with water, soil (from Sicily) and LAPONITE® as a stabilizer. The adobe bricks were subjected to tests of resistance to compression and flexion, resistance to abrasion, capillary absorption of water and resistance to impact. The results may be deemed positive, in particular those relating to resistance to compression. Further research will be necessary, especially with regard to problems of water absorption.