Novel Natural Bee Brick with a Low Energy Footprint for “Green” Masonry Walls: Mechanical Properties

Abstract

The present research delves into the experimental investigation of the mechanical properties of bee bricks, which serve as nesting habitats for solitary bees. The study aims to provide valuable insights into the efficacy of these bricks as eco-friendly alternatives emphasizing a low energy footprint. It is designed as a masonry unit to provide nest sites in urban or civil areas to order to protect and contribute to the reproduction of solitary (wild) bee pollinators. The invention concerns the solid structural and architectural material of masonry bricks, which have different sizes of cavities and constitute a natural habitat for various solitary bee species. It is an innovative material that can be used as a building material in both new constructions and existing masonry structures. At the same time, it can be used as a decorative material in gardens, nurseries, fields, the courtyards of houses, schools, and buildings in cities; it can even be used in “green” and sustainable buildings. To protect bees, it is necessary to address the threats mentioned above. The results indicate that the physical materials composed a high-performance product with a remarkable compressive strength of 12 MPa and 13 MPa in loading directions perpendicular and parallel to the bed joint, respectively. Simultaneously, despite the smooth surface, the bee brick presented respectable adhesive properties proving that this product is appropriate and can be proposed as a masonry unit for safe seismically designed structures. Furthermore, the direct shear results indicate that the low strength of the binder mortar as well as the bond strength of the masonry unit and the mortar play a significant role. Overall, this presents awareness about the reduction of biodiversity and, at the same time, a proposal of the dual use of the construction material for the construction of load-bearing masonry and a biotope needed for the reproduction and protection of pollinator bees.

Keywords

• natural building material
• bee brick
• mechanical properties
• green masonry walls
• low energy footprint