Construction element made of adobe

Abstract

The present invention relates to a construction element ( 1 ) made of compressed clay adobe, capable of being joined, on at least one of the surfaces ( 4 ) thereof, with an adjacent element via a layer including an activatable gellable mixture ( 5 ) extending over the at least one surface ( 4 ) of the element. The invention also relates to a method for assembling a portion of a building using such elements ( 1 ).

1 . A construction element made of compressed adobe, suitable for being joined on at least one of the surfaces thereof with an adjacent element via a layer including an activatable gellable mixture extending over the at least one surface of the element. 
     
     
         2 . The construction element according to  claim 1 , wherein the clay adobe has a plasticity index between 10 and 35. 
     
     
         3 . The construction element according to  claim 1 , wherein the clay adobe has a plasticity index greater than 35. 
     
     
         4 . The construction element according to  claim 1 , wherein the clay adobe comprises 3 to 10% lime by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The construction element according to  claim 1 , wherein the clay adobe comprises a smectite to be chosen from montmorillonite and any type of bentonite. 
     
     
         6 . The construction element according to  claim 1 , wherein the activatable gellable mixture comprises smectite having a moderate swelling potential, to be chosen from montmorillonite and any type of bentonite. 
     
     
         7 . The construction element according to  claim 6 , wherein the bentonite is of the type containing calcium. 
     
     
         8 . The construction element according to  claim 1 , wherein the activatable gellable mixture comprises fine clay particles having a plasticity index greater than 35. 
     
     
         9 . The construction element according to  claim 1 , wherein the activatable gellable mixture comprises siliceous sand or any other permeable inert material, having a grain size between 0.02 and 5 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The construction element according to  claim 1 , comprising, on at least one of the aggregation surfaces thereof, grooves suitable for engaging, following activation, with the grooves of the adjacent element which are arranged perpendicularly to the grooves of the first element, so as to accentuate the aggregation of the elements together. 
     
     
         11 . A method for assembling a portion of a building using compressed clay adobe elements, comprising the following operations:
 a) providing a mould;   b) filling the mould with clay adobe;   c) compressing the adobe;   d) releasing the construction element formed from the mould;   e) producing a layer comprising an activatable gellable mixture on at least one of the surfaces of the construction element;   f) drying the element;   g) storing the element;   h) washing the surfaces to be assembled of first and second construction elements, so as to activate the gellable mixture;   i) contacting and pressing the surfaces against each other;   j) softening and swelling the contact area under the effect of the activated gel-type mixture;   k) joining the two adjacent elements; and   l) drying the portion of the building.   
     
     
         12 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 11 , wherein operation e) is performed simultaneously with operation b). 
     
     
         13 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 12 , wherein a layer of the activatable gellable mixture is placed on at least one of the surfaces of the mould, the remainder of the volume consisting of clay adobe. 
     
     
         14 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 11 , wherein operation e) is performed by applying a coating comprising the activatable gellable mixture after operation b). 
     
     
         15 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 11 , wherein the operation for drying the element is selected from oven-drying and an autoclave vapour pressure treatment. 
     
     
         16 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 11 , wherein the wash is a limewash. 
     
     
         17 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 11 , wherein the wash comprises fine clay particles having a plasticity index greater than 35. 
     
     
         18 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 11 , wherein the clay adobe has a plasticity index between 10 and 35. 
     
     
         19 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 11 , wherein the clay adobe has a plasticity index greater than 35. 
     
     
         20 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 11 , wherein the clay adobe comprises 3 to 10% lime by weight. 
     
     
         21 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 11 , wherein clay adobe comprises a smectite to be chosen from montmorillonite and any type of bentonite. 
     
     
         22 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 11 , wherein the gellable mixture comprises smectite having a moderate swelling potential, to be chosen from montmorillonite and any type of bentonite. 
     
     
         23 . The method for assembling a portion of a building according to  claim 11 , wherein the gellable mixture comprises fine clay particles having a plasticity index greater than 35.