Environmental performance evaluation of a masonry unit manufactured from recycled materials in buildings

The poor insulation of concrete masonry units prompted researchers to investigate the effects of adding fiber rice straw and recycled rubber granules from waste tires to replace aggregates in concrete masonry production. The use of rice straw and rubber from waste tires has helped to create more sustainable building units by using recycled materials and reducing the energy consumption of buildings. An experimental investigation was conducted to explore the mechanical and thermal properties effects of the addition of different proportions of rice straw and shredded rubber as aggregate substitutes for concrete masonry units. The consequences indicated that including rice straw and crumb rubber to masonry units had a superb effect at the energy saving. Specimens with 10% rice straw and 25% rubber substitute ratio decreased the thermal conductivity and Thermal diffusivity factor aspect via 62% and 79% respectively, with attaining the required mechanical properties within the manufacture of concrete masonry units according to international standards. The mechanical characterization and dimension requirements were reported to show that the new eco-friendly masonry units met the ASTM requirements for load-bearing concrete masonry units.