Physical-chemical, mechanical and durability characterization of historical adobe buildings from the State of Michoacan, Mexico

• Published in: Journal of Building Engineering Vol. 86; p. 108802
• Main Authors: Sánchez Calvillo, Adrià, Alonso Guzmán, Elia M., Navarro Ezquerra, Antonia, Ruiz Mendoza, Melissa, Martínez Molina, Wilfrido, Álvarez Galindo, José Ignacio, Rincón, Lídia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Adobe; Architectural heritage; Durability; Earthen architecture; Mechanical properties; Non-destructive testing; Mechanical properties; Durability; Earthen architecture; Architectural heritage; Non-destructive testing; Adobe
• ISSN: 2352-7102; 2352-7102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.108802

Most earthen historical buildings have been abandoned for decades, exposed to the weathering and the passage of time. In Mexico, the low status of earthen constructions has increased these deterioration processes, resulting into the risk of disappearance of this significant architectural heritage. Historical adobes from monumental buildings in the State of Michoacan were sampled and collected in the localities of La Huacana (H) and Santa Cruz de Morelos (SC). The specimens were characterized in the materials laboratory, assessing their physical-chemical, mechanical and durability properties. An interdisciplinary methodology was designed through institutional cooperation and the application of different test methods. The adobes showed totally different compositions and proportions, and stabilizers like vegetal fibers, nevertheless, the mechanical performance of both samples was very similar, achieving respectable values in the context of historical adobe structures. Several correlations were found through the analyses: the physical properties like the density, the color or the electrical resistivity were related with the mechanical and durability ones; the non-destructive testing (NDT) allowed to calculate the dynamic elasticity modulus and infer the mechanical behavior; the chemical characterization enabled to obtain the elemental and mineralogical composition; and the Atterberg limits gave the soil classification. The research showed the broad diversity of earthen solutions and demonstrated how the granulometry is not a limitation to the adobe production, since the local soils can achieve similar mechanical and durability behaviors. Furthermore, H presented very different composition than the guidelines for earthen construction; nevertheless, the samples showed better durability performance and lower capillarity absorption rates. It is hoped that the results obtained with this research can help the further development of the earthen materials characterization and the decision-making process for the restoration and conservation of historical and vernacular constructions. •The two adobes shown completely different composition, with different fine particles proportions, different clay materials identified and the presence or absence of vegetal fibers. This demonstrates the interesting variability of earthen architecture in function of the local soils, providing functional solutions to the existing environment.•In this sense, the earthen construction guidelines, especially the ones regarding the selection of soils are good instruments but not necessarily represent the wide variety of solutions which vernacular architecture presents.•Both adobes performed good in the mechanical tests, keeping in mind the aging of these monumental structures. The point-load test could be an interesting alternative for in situ measurements; however, it is necessary further research to validate the results of this trial.•The clay and the fiber content had direct influence in the capillarity absorption of the samples. Both samples presented normal behaviour in comparison with the literature, with a better performance of SC.•The DRX test method procedures are usually performed wrong, and without the FRX backing. For the research, the method included the use of glycols and the calcination, helping to identify the clay materials accurately.•The non-destructive tests allowed to obtain useful properties of the samples and demonstrated high correlation with the mechanical tests. Again, this could be really useful in the future to assess heritage buildings in situ.