Sustainability in Construction: Geopolymerized Coating Bricks Made with Ceramic Waste

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Sustainable Construction
• Geopolymerization

Background:

• Artisanal brick production in Ecuador generates waste due to inconsistent quality.
• Suboptimal quality bricks are a significant construction waste stream.
• Need for sustainable building materials and circular economy approaches in construction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To repurpose discarded bricks into a viable, sustainable building material via geopolymerization.
• To characterize the structural, chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the recycled material.
• To evaluate the potential application of geopolymerized bricks as facade cladding for improved thermal performance.

Main Methods:

• Geopolymerization process utilizing sodium hydroxide as an alkaline activator.
• Structural and chemical characterization using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF).
• Testing of physical (density, porosity) and mechanical (compressive strength) properties.
• Analysis of application as facade cladding and thermal performance assessment.

Main Results:

• Geopolymerized recycled bricks exhibit favorable structural and chemical properties.
• The material demonstrated significant reductions in heating and cooling demand when used in building envelopes.
• A case study in Loja confirmed decreased heating and cooling degree days, enhancing thermal comfort.

Conclusions:

• Recycled bricks can be effectively transformed into high-performance geopolymer materials.
• Geopolymerized bricks offer a sustainable alternative to conventional construction materials.
• This research advances eco-friendly building practices and promotes resource circularity in the construction industry.