Aproveitamento de resíduos sólidos industriais em materiais alternativos na perspectiva da construção seca: Bloco Eva - intertravamento e racionalização das alvenarias

Abstract

This work presents the investigation of re-use of EVA residues (Ethilene Vinil Acetate) at footwear s industry (waste in the production of sole-leather and insoles) due to the production concrete blocks. As a part of a global research, this work is concerned on both the development of compatible dimensions of the referred material (lightweight concrete) and mechanisms that allow dry construction. Accordingly, this research aims at offering an ecological alternative for a residue that is nowadays put down inappropriately in the environment as well as the reduction of the natural aggregates consumption and the damages caused by their extraction from nature. The focus on dry construction intends the optimization of the masonries by reducing: labour, cement consumption and even the production of residues. The research was divided into two parts: the development of compatible dimensions and geometry (notches) with the features of the lightweight concrete and EVA artificial aggregate; and production tests of the blocks which allowed the mechanical analysis, both isolated and in panels. The stage of the EVA block project was supported by studies concerned to: lightweight concrete with EVA incorporation, modulated projects, masonry rationalization and institutional projects of social habitation. It was projected metallic moulds that would allow the block production in laboratory through press machine. It was chosen, regarding to previous studies, the mixture of 1:5 (cement: aggregates, in volume) with an EVA incorporation that ranged from 80% to 90% in the total volume of the mixture. The results of average strength of 1,20 MPa after 28 days demonstrated the viability of the industrial production of blocks with a mixture of 1:5 (cement: aggregates) and EVA incorporation level of 80%. The tests of the EVA blocks in prisms and panels proved the high flexibility of this type of concrete, with big deformations in the loading direction. This behaviour reveals an able feature to combat some masonry pathologies usually found in construction nowadays. Therefore, It was verified that the EVA block proposed reaches a balance between a compression resistance close to the desired, an interesting lightness for the component and appropriate geometry with notches and dimensions to facilitate the manipulation of the elements during the masonry production. The proposal of a general method for piece construction from innovative and alternative materials is a contribution to the development of materials that may look forward on the sustainability of the dynamic of space production.