Improvement in the rheological and mechanical properties of clay mortar after adding Ceratonia Siliqua L. extracts

Abstract

In this study we have investigated the use of one of the components of the carob tree, Ceratonia Siliqua L. polyphenols, as an additive to improve the rheological properties of clay mortars used for sustainable construction. To obtain comparable results, soils with different clay bases have been used as raw materials. The most relevant results were the increased fluidity of the material and, consequently, a reduction in mixing water, especially in kaolinite soils with a decrease of 57.16 w% and in smectitic soils with 66.25 w%. Significant improvements in the mechanical behaviour of the mortars supplemented with the polyphenols derived from carob were observed. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd