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Towards poured earth construction mimicking cement solidification: demonstration of feasibility via a biosourced polymer

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Abstract

The feasibility of building with earth in the same and simple way as cement-based concrete has been demonstrated as an environmental-friendly alternative. Sodium alginate, a bio-sourced polymer, is used to induce a liquid–solid transition to a clay based suspension, similar to hydraulic binders. The polymer gelation occurs via calcium ions released from the binding phase through a gentle acidification of the mix. It leads to a substantial solidification of the wet material, theoretically sufficient to remove the formwork of an earth wall within 24 h without waiting for drying. Working time is adjusted using a chelator which forms complexes with calcium ions.

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thanks Rhône-Alpes Region for the grant of Alban Pinel doctoral fellowship.

Funding

This study was funded by “Région Rhône Alpes”, France (ARC 2013-0077 13-009672-01).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, MATEIS UMR CNRS 5510, 69621, Villeurbanne, France

    A. Pinel, Y. Jorand & C. Olagnon

  2. Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères UMR CNRS 5223, 69621, Villeurbanne, France

    A. Pinel, A. Charlot & E. Fleury

Authors
  1. A. Pinel
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  2. Y. Jorand
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  3. C. Olagnon
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Y. Jorand.

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Conflict of interest

Author Alban Pinel has received research grants from “Région Rhône Alpes”. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Pinel, A., Jorand, Y., Olagnon, C. et al. Towards poured earth construction mimicking cement solidification: demonstration of feasibility via a biosourced polymer. Mater Struct 50, 224 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-017-1092-9

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