One of the difficulties in the dissemination of non-conventional construction technologies is the lack of technical information about existing constructive systems. Examples of small-scale, eco-efficient construction made with blocks of raw earth, developed by Professor Roberto Mattone, from the Politecnico di Torino, Italy, can be found in Brazil, Italy and Argentina.These blocks are made with a manual press and have interlocks which improve the strength and stiffness of the masonry.Tests on prototypes built with these blocks are necessary in order to check compliance with technical requirements and obtain the credibility of government funding agencies. This paper presents results of an evaluation of the structural performance a real scale prototype built with blocks of stabilized raw earth, mechanically - by pressing, and chemically - through the addition of Portland cement. Evaluations of occupancy loads and impacts on masonry were made through soft body impact and hard body impact tests, which refers to efforts transmitted by sudden door closure and solicitações de carga from suspended parts. The results indicate that the performance of the prototype was satisfactory in terms of structural safety. It is important to highlight that the blocks tested in this study have great potential to reduce the environmental impact of buildings.
Blocks; Earth raw; Mansory; Impact tests
