DETERIORO Y ESTABILIZACIÓN DEL ADOBE.

Abstract

Constructions made from the earth have received different names depending of the building system used. The first builders give them some names such as Bajareque, Tapial and Adobe; these names were received according to their chronological development. Nevertheless, new industrialized materials have arisen so, the traditional materials and systems have fallen in disuse. The modern materials technological development have been privileged during last years, on the other hand, knowledge and development on traditional materials have been suspended, to such degree, that its utility and existence have been forgotten. Users, when choosing materials, they prefer modern materials causing alteration, abandonment and substitution of traditional buildings. High energy consumption and extremely environmental pollution have caused that users consider again traditional materials that have already demonstrated their effectiveness in the past and mainly because they do not contaminate as some modern materials do. Many investigators, supported by scientific research, have initiated the traditional materials relaunch so they are able to incentive their reusability. Thanks to this research it is pretended to demonstrate this hypothesis: Adobes deterioration falls thanks to hydrated lime incorporation to the water and clay mixture, blocks and building systems derived can continue being used in traditional architecture different constructions around the five continents. This hypothesis have been verified during this research development for which it was necessary the manufacture of the object then, obtaining data. Generated information was ordered, classified, evaluated and analyzed to be able to get conclusions from the final results. 12 This Thesis is presented in five chapters; In the first chapter it is displayed the definition of the problem analyzing the different theoretical sources that were necessary to consult to build the theoretical frame; here it is presented earth architecture antecedents since its origin and evolution to the point of no return, where its use declines. In chapter 2 adobes deterioration phenomenon is analyzed by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, first ones referred to the damage that natural phenomena cause to adobe constructions; second ones involve the form of how users see and feel about the architecture elaborated with earth. Chapter 3 is focused on theoretical frame confirmation giving support to the hypothesis. Earth scientific knowledge, earth formation and evolution are conditioned by nature different cycles, particularly some ground chemical, physical and biological phenomena. In chapter 4 it is described the sample manufactured method. It is explained the ground characteristics that are important for the earth use with building aims; as adobe is built with earth it reacts in the same way to natural phenomena than ground reacts. Important to highlight that incorporation of the hydrated lime to the clay mixture was analyzed as it is a fundamental part of this research. Finally in chapter 5 results are showed, described and analyzed. The obtained samples were tested in the laboratory, these tests were: density, water fury resistance, wind fury resistance; it is also included a real time fury water test. Results obtained from the different tests allowed proving the research hypothesis.