Evaluation of soil-cement blocks for sustainability and habitability in accordance to the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 15575

ABSTRACT The building sector is responsible for significant consumption of natural resources. Sustainable buildings contributes to the reduction of environmental impacts such as energy consumption, soil, and water and air pollution. In this scenario, raw soil as a building material has become an alternative for the development of sustainable buildings. Raw soil is cured without burning. Raw soil mixed with Portland cement, pressed and stabilized produces soil-cement blocks and they are already regulated by the Brazilian technical standards association (Associação Brasileira de NormasTécnicas – ABNT) and possesses many advantages related to its manufacturing and use. To increase its acceptance and verify its efficiency as a building material for social housing, it is necessary to investigate its properties and performance. The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of an external vertical sealing system composed of hollow blocks of soil-cement without structural function for social housing, following determinations of ABNT NBR 15575, focusing on the requirements of habitability and sustainability. It was analysed tightness against rainwater and water permeability, habitability requirements, and durability, sustainability requirement, through heat action and thermal shock testings. The system met limits set by standards for tightness against rainwater and heat action and thermal shock, but not for water permeability. The vertical sealing system composed of hollow blocks of soil-cement has potential for application in the construction, but there is still need for more studies on the system.