Thermal Insulation Performance Optimization of Hollow Bricks Made up of 3D Printable Rubber-Cement Mortars: Material Properties and FEM-based Modelling

Abstract Sustainable construction is attracting more attention lately. It involves the design of eco-friendly building structures, reduction energy consumption and waste, use renewable recyclable resources, enhancement low-impact manufacturing methods. This paper addresses some these sustainability questions, in context tire recycled rubber particles as aggregates cement mortars suitable for Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes. Specifically, effect on physical thermal properties was investigated, to evaluate heat-insulating performance compounds. The lightweight non-polar nature improve insulation physical-structural material, terms conductivity, unit weight, porosity respectively. However, effects are closely related particle size their adhesion with matrix. In second part manuscript, applicability study rubber-cement compounds based finite element method (FEM)-based analysis innovative hollow bricks presented. Fractal cavities were investigated a functional inner architecture behavior component. FEM results show an increase than 30% resistance (R T ) fractal-based brick compared conventional designs, demonstrating that holes’ geometric irregularity key feature flow attenuation.