DEMOLITION WASTE BRICKS

Our research aims to understand how construction and demolition waste can be reused as inputs for manufacturing new components. Currently, RUÍNA is developing construction bricks composed of up to 90% recycled debris, in partnership with an extension project at the Mackenzie School of Architecture and Urbanism.

Prototypes are produced at the Experimental Construction Site of Mackenzie's School of Architecture and Urbanism using debris generated by laboratory activities. Subsequently, the bricks undergo mechanical compression tests, yielding promising results, demonstrating that these blocks can outperform traditional ceramic and concrete blocks in performance. The prototype has a parallelepiped shape with dimensions of 20cmX10cmX5cm but can assume different shapes and functions. Different brick colors are obtained according to their composition and the possibility of using pigments. During the research process, the bricks have already been used for the composition of garden beds and permeable flooring at the July 9 Occupation - MSTC.

In addition to the environmental benefits resulting from the reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfills, the use of debris bricks can significantly contribute to the promotion of circular economy and the mitigation of negative impacts associated with the extraction of virgin raw materials. Furthermore, the possibility of shaping the bricks into different shapes and colors expands their applications, allowing them to be used for various construction purposes.

The positive impacts of these bricks are not limited to the environmental aspect alone. Their use in construction projects exemplifies how this technology can be applied to meet the housing and infrastructure needs in vulnerable areas. However, some challenges still need to be overcome: still in the research phase, there is a lack of incentives and more appropriate infrastructure to achieve results with greater precision and control.

RUÍNA's demolition waste bricks represent a promising alternative to make architecture and construction more sustainable and socially responsible. With the continuous development and improvement of this technology, coupled with the introduction of public policies regulating the practice, it is possible to envision a future where the reuse of waste in construction becomes a common practice, contributing to the construction of more resilient and environmentally conscious cities.