Nanotechnology and earth construction: the mechanical properties of adobe brick stabilized by Laponite nanoparticles

Abstract

The contribution describes the experimental analysis for the improvement of the mechanical properties of samples of earth with the addition of Laponite nanoparticles. Were made two types of samples: the first consisting of soil, sand and water; the second consisting of soil, water, sand and Laponite nanoparticles. The operations performed were: chemical analysis of soil and sand; preparation of samples; Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation of samples for the distribution of the elements, especially the Laponite nanoparticles; testing of compression strength and flexural strength of two types of samples; comparisons of the resulted of the mechanical tests. The improvement of the mechanical characteristics of the earth material using nanotechnology, will increase the use of eco-friendly, non-toxic, cost effective, available materials in architecture.