Porosity Types in New and Old Earth Constructions in Catalonia: A Micromorphological Assessment
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This paper presents the micromorphological properties of earth-based architecture in Catalonia, focusing on materials and porosity characteristics. The primary aim is to analyse the internal fabric and porosity evolution of rammed earth, adobe, and compressed earth blocks (CEB) through high-resolution, polarized light images of thin sections. By examining these images, the study provides insights into the impact of raw materials and construction techniques on structural and textural porosity. Findings indicate that adobe constructions have higher porosity levels compared to rammed earth and CEB, likely due to differences in material composition and preparation methods. Furthermore, rammed earth samples demonstrate variable porosity, influenced by the building’s age, the proportion of coarse elements, and the presence of gypsum, which contributes to increased porosity. CEB samples display intermediate porosity, reflecting the effects of mechanical compression on pore size distribution. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) based on the image analysis results shows that, despite differences in material composition and construction methods, the porosity parameters across different earth construction types are relatively consistent. This research enhances the understanding of both traditional and contemporary earth construction techniques in Catalonia, emphasizing the significance of porosity in determining the durability and sustainability. These findings contribute valuable knowledge to building design, material selection, and heritage preservation practices.
Authors: N. Mafokou, E. Hamard, C. Aresté, D. Álvarez, R.M. Poch
Institutions: Universitat de Lleida, Université Gustave Eiffel
Language: English
Subfield: Building and Construction
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Award: G2815538447
OpenAlex ID: W4407823973