Thermophysical characterization of lateritic soil for manufacturing rammed earth walls

Considering the current need to minimize environmental impacts arising from the civil construction chain, constructive techniques with earth are alternatives of great potentiality, since the material is available on site and no burning processes are incorporated in the production of walls. In addition, depending on the type of soil chosen and the quality of its execution, earth walls present high durability. However, other advantages addressed, such as the thermal comfort of construction with earth are often treated empirically. In this sense, the general objective of this article is to determine the thermophysical properties of a soil defined as lateritic gravel, from the Cuiaba-MT municipality. The methodology consisted of two steps: tests of geotechnical characterization of the soil and in situ test of thermal transmittance from a sample. The results indicate thermal transmission (U-T) of 2.58 Wm(-2) K-1, thermal capacity (CT) of 228.12 kJm(-2) K-1, thermal time (phi) of 5.12 hours, thermal absortance of 61.63% and solar factor of 6.30% for test body of 0,08 m of thickness; In relation to the mean values of rammed earth with a thickness of 0.30 m (U-T = 1.43 Wm(-2) K-1; C-T = 855.46 kJm(2) K-1; and, phi = 15.51 hours) the same meets all the requirements of zones 4, 6 and 7. It is concluded that this soil, if validated for one of the functions that can be, can be used in the buildings in the Brazilians areas listed.