Scaled to real size of the improvements in the strength of plaster and common cane (Arundo donax L.) building elements

This work is part of the recovery line of building materials with lower carbon footprint than conventional ones (steel and concrete). Gypsum (calcium sulphate dihydrate) and common cane (Arundo donax L.) have been used together in traditional construction mainly in temperate zones, and especially in much of the Iberian peninsula, having fallen into disuse From the second half of the twentieth century, in favor of the aforementioned conventional materials. On the other hand, the valorization of the common cane, invasive of channels of water, like material of construction, would help to improve the control of this plant, that requires important investments in cleaning of channels. In previous works, it has been possible to improve the flexural strength of normalized gypsum samples compared to the traditional design, based on an improvement in the structural collaboration between the surfaces of both materials, achieving, in the case of slotted rods, increments of Up to 116.2% compared to the traditional design (5.34 N/mm2 versus 2.47 N/mm2), while improving the rupture mechanism. Based on these results, using the aforementioned gypsum plaster design, a scaling of the section resistant to the actual size of slabs was performed, adapting the methodology of UNE-EN 13279.2 Part 2 to 100x100x750 mm specimens, performing Tests for distance of 700 mm, with different diameters of cane in the traction zone, and different edges of forged. In these conditions, the validity of the proposed section design for the support of the total load required by the CTE in slabs (8,292 kN/m2), using section corners even of 75 mm, has been verified.