Scaling to real size of the improvements in the resistance of construction elements of plaster and common reed (Arundo donax L.)

This research pursues the promotion of the use of construction materials with a low carbon footprint, such as gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) and common reed (Arundo donax L.), which represent a constructive model widely used until about half a century ago in the Mediterranean environment, mainly in rural areas, and which has been replaced by other materials such as concrete and steel, which require a greater consumption of energy and water to obtain it. In addition, we can’t forget that the use of these materials would mean the valorization of the common reed, which is currently an invasive species in water channels, increasing the risk of flooding, and whose control involves a high cost. In previous works it has been possible to improve the resistance to bending of standardized plaster samples with cane compared to the traditional design, based on an improvement in the structural collaboration between the surfaces of both materials, reaching in the case of specimens with grooved reed increments of up to 116.2% compared to the traditional design (5.34 N/mm2 versus 2.47 N/mm2), while improving the break mechanism. These results have been applied to test pieces of real size slabs of 100mm width and 750mm long, adapting the methodology of the UNE-EN 13279.2 Part 2 to the aforementioned dimensions, with the loads provided by the Spanish CTE for slabs (8.292 kN /m2), and for different thickness of specimens and diameters of reed, having satisfactorily verified the support of mentioned loads.