The production of fired or stabilized bricks from lignocellulosic biomass ash is thoroughly examined in this article. Bricks are typically made through the high-temperature firing process or by stabilizing the mixture with binders such as lime and cement. These bricks have a large carbon footprint and high levels of grey energy. In many parts of the world, the excessive use of clay as a natural raw material for the production of conventional bricks will lead to its scarcity. The mixing of clay with lignocellulosic ash during brick manufacturing leads to a better and more reliable solution that conserves scarce natural resources and reduces the impact of environmental pollution. This study aims to review the state of the art in the production of bricks based on lignocellulosic ashes and their physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The most recent data in the literature related to the manufacture of lignocellulosic ash-based bricks either by firing, cementing or geopolymerization, the design of mixtures, as well as the identification of the main factors influencing the performance and durability of these bricks are presented and discussed. Despite extensive research, there is still very little commercial use of waste bricks in general and lignocellulosic biomass ash in particular. Various toxicity issues of lignocellulosic ash used in brick production limit their use on an industrial scale due to a lack of appropriate standards. In order to achieve practical production of bricks from lignocellulosic ash, research is still needed on standardizing and sustaining biomass ash recycling.

This paper investigates an innovative building material based on rapeseed concrete. This material is a non-load-bearing insulating concrete, which is intended for use in the construction of wood-frame walls thanks to its thermophysical properties. It is composed of particles of rapeseed straw, lime, and cement. First, this work proposes to characterize rapeseed straw aggregates according to the place of cultivation, the year of harvest, and the size of the straw strands. For this purpose, straws of three different origins and different years of harvest were chosen. Aggregate sizes of 10 mm and 20 mm in length were selected. In a second step, this study focuses on the effect of the type of rapeseed straw aggregates on the mechanical resistance and thermal conductivity of bio-based concrete. The results obtained showed that the influence of the different parameters on the compressive strength was stronger than that on the thermal conductivity. On the one hand, rapeseed concrete made with 10 mm straw exhibited a lower thermal conductivity, averaging at 0.073 W.m⁻¹.K⁻¹. On the other hand, concrete manufactured with the 20 mm size aggregates demonstrated a higher mechanical strength, which remained relatively low and closer to 0.22 MPa. Finally, 20 mm-long aggregates offered the best compromise between mechanical and thermal resistance.

The use of bio-based materials (BBM) in buildings is an interesting solution as they are eco-friendly materials and have low embodied energy. This article aims to investigate the hygric performance of two bio-based materials: palm and sunflower concretes. The moisture buffering value (MBV) characterizes the ability of a material or multilayer component to moderate the variation in the indoor relative humidity (RH). In the literature, the moisture buffer values of bio-based concretes were measured at a constant temperature of 23 °C. However, in reality, the indoor temperature of the buildings is variable. The originality of this article is found in studying the influence of the temperature on the moisture buffer performance of BBM. A study at wall scale on its impact on the indoor RH at room level will be carried out. First, the physical models are presented. Second, the numerical models are implemented in the Simulation Problem Analysis and Research Kernel (SPARK) suited to complex problems. Then, the numerical model validated with the experimental results found in the literature is used to investigate the moisture buffering capacity of BBM as a function of the temperature and its application in buildings. The results show that the temperature has a significant impact on the moisture buffering capacity of bio-based building materials and its capacity to dampen indoor RH variation. Using the numerical model presented in this paper can predict and optimize the hygric performance of BBM designed for building application.

Signs of wetness in housing are a significant obstacle to the renovation and energy rehabilitation of old and energy-intensive heritage buildings, especially in cold climates. Thus, in order to avoid the numerous possibilities of degradation caused by the moisture transfer phenomena in the building envelope, the a disruptive aeraulic process, which focuses on the ventilation of an air gap between the thermal insulation and the wet wall, has been designed and its assessed. This system avoids the presence of liquid water at the wall surface by maintaining the hygrothermal balance within the wet wall. This enables the mechanical durability of the supporting structure, the absence of biological activity and/or frost and, hence, the durability of the thermal insulation. These issues are investigated through a case study based on a real site. Over a year of measurements, the wet wall was constantly maintained in hygroscopic balance, around 90% RH, guaranteeing the preservation of its mechanical performance, while the insulation layer was kept moisture free. In addition, the proposed model for predicting the appearance and development of biological activity demonstrated its validity, confirming experimental results.These initial results will now lead to the optimization of the aeraulic device, as well as possible use in a summer cooling context to achieve hygrothermal comfort for housing occupants.

In this work, the idea is to use rubber waste particles as a raw material, to develop a new lightweight construction materials. The objective of the research reported in this paper is to investigate the physico-mechanical properties of Aerated Cement-Rubber Composites (ACRC), based on rubber particles. The volume content ratio of the rubber particles ranged from 0% to 50%. The aerated composite was produced using a new type of proteinic air-entraining agent, in accordance with a specific aerating process derived in the laboratory. The aerated composite was produced to be used in cellular concrete applications. Results from tests performed on fresh aerated composites have demonstrated many attractive properties, such as improved workability and a high stability of air bubbles within the matrix. A study conducted on hardened composite properties has indicated a significant reduction in sample unit weight, thereby resulting in a level of compressive strength. The composite satisfies the basic requirement of construction materials, and could be used for insulated load-bearing wall this study has also highlighted the effect of the proteinic air-entraining agent on the cementrubber interaction system, as regards the composite’s compressive strength. However, an examination of the composite’s water capillary absorption reveals that the addition of rubber particles tends to restrict water propagation and reduce water absorption; sorptivity values decrease with increasing rubber particles content. Cette étude concerne l’évaluation des propriétés du composite cellulaire ciment-caoutchouc, élaboré à base de poussières de caoutchouc pour des teneurs allant de 0 à 50 %. L’allégement a été effectué suivant un procédé d’allégement par moussage protéinique, mis au point au laboratoire, en vue de l’utilisation du composite dans le domaine d’application des bétons cellulaires. L’étude du composite à l’état frais a montré une amélioration de la maniabilité, avec une bonne stabilité des bulles d’air dans la matrice. L’étude du composite à l’état durci a montré une nette réduction de la masse volumique, avec des propriétés mécaniques compatibles avec l’utilisation en isolant porteur. L’effet de l’agent entraîneur d’air protéinique sur les liaisons matrice/caoutchouc dans la résistance du composite a été mis en évidence. L’étude de l’absorption par capillarité du composite a montré que l’ajout de poussières de caoutchouc réduit la sensibilité à l’eau du composite.