Earthen materials have been used in construction for centuries. Nowadays, a certain appeal towards natural materials rose again due to the various benefits they hold. Besides being inexpensive and approachable, earthen construction offers a clear sustainable method of modern manufacturing. Since earthen materials present high absorption and relatively low compressive strength, the main purpose of this study was to enhance these abilities of clay-based mortars using nanoadditives. To achieve the mechanical and physical invigoration of the clay matrix two different compositions were fabricated by the use of nanoclay, nanosilica and nanoalumina. The addition of nanoclay (NC) at 5%w/w of binder, indicated a lower water absorption and an increase in mechanical properties, while the use of nanosilica and nanoalumina combined at 1.5% and 1% w/w of binder respectively, outline a less stable and compact structure.
The need to increase the durability of clay-based materials, due to their inherent low strength and vulnerability in contact with water, led researchers to examine different options. In this paper, clay mortars were produced using four different activating solutions. Alkali hydroxides, alkali carbonates, and alkali silicates activating solutions were used. Interest is given to long term properties while their behavior to wetting–drying and freeze–thaw cycles is recorded. In total, the results of the experiments indicated the positive effect of the potassium metasilicate on mechanical characteristics presenting, however, low performance at wetting–drying. The combination of sodium metasilicate with sodium hydroxide solution has also presented a positive effect on both mechanical and physical properties. In contrast, sodium carbonate acted better in enhancing physical properties and granting water-resistant abilities. Moreover, the performance of the specimens mixed with water–glass addition presented excellent volume stability and low mass loss in durability tests.
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