A group of researchers of the RMIT Universityin Australiadeveloped a new construction material that combines compacted earth y recycled cardboarda mixture that could become a sustainable alternative to cement traditional. The project seeks reduce the enormous carbon footprint associated with the production of concrete, one of the most polluting materials on the planet.
According to specialists, this new compound, based on cardboard cylinders filled with compacted earthoffers sufficient structural resistance to low-rise buildings. In addition, its manufacturing is low cost and takes advantage of waste that usually ends up in landfills.
A compound that uses land, water and recycled cardboard
According to The New Dailythe material developed by RMIT bears the name of cardboard-confined rammed earthwhich consists of reinforced cardboard tubes that function as permanent molds for rammed earth.
This combination creates columns with surprising stabilitycapable of supporting loads similar to those of soil stabilized with cement, but without the need to use this highly polluting material.
According to the data cited by AZoBuildthe process reduce significantly the emissions: Preliminary analysis shows a decrease of up to 77% in CO₂-equivalent compared to conventional concrete. The researchers explain that this advantage comes from both use of soil without additives such as cardboard recyclingwhich acquires a new useful life within the structure.
According to the publication, initial tests used cylindrical columns created in a laboratorywhere they evaluated resistance, deformation and stability. The results showed that the cardboard not only functions as a mold, but also as a confinement that improves the load-bearing capacity of the material.
Could it really replace cement?
Although the researchers point out that their results are promising, they agree that the new material is intended mainly for low-rise buildings and non-critical applications.
According to The New Dailyit is not yet projected to replace concrete in large-scale infrastructures, but it could become a viable alternative for residential constructions, temporary facilities, sustainable homes y community structures.
According to AZoBuildthe main advantage lies in its low costare global availability and the drastic reduction in emissionsfactors that could make it an attractive solution for regions with limited resources or in need of ecological alternatives.
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