Bio-stabilised Compressed Earth Blocks (Bio-CEBs) for regenerative building

Objective

The construction sector plays a vital role in our economy and society, but at a high cost to the environment. Exacerbated by the climate and energy crisis, the demand for sustainable building materials is increasing. Earthen materials are sustainable due to their local availability, high thermal efficiency, recyclability and low emissions. However, due to heterogeneity, they exhibit limited mechanical performance and high susceptibility to erosion. This project concerns the development of innovative compressed earth blocks stabilised with biopolymers (Bio-CEB). Locust bean gum and sodium alginate, derived from renewable resources, are used as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional lime or cement. By exploiting the combination of the two different molecules, the aim is to improve both the criticalities presented by earthen materials, while preserving their essence and maintaining their recyclability. An extensive experimental campaign, ranging from blocks to full-scale walls and the environmental and economic life-cycle assessment of the proposed materials, will provide fundamental design data for practical implementation. In a mix of excellence, resulting from the collaboration between EPFL, Empa, IG Lehm and Terrabloc, the Bio-CEBs project will provide a modern, safe and sustainable construction solution for regenerative building in the 21st century.