Criteria for salvageability: the reuse of bricks

Bricks can be regarded as an environmentally beneficial building material only over the whole life cycle. Its high durability fulfils the demand for environmental payback. However, since a long component lifetime also implies different uses, the design and construction should enable the potential for reuse. This Norwegian study investigates how component design and different construction methods influence the salvageability for reuse in order to avoid down-cycling. The results show that the single brick itself has great potential as a reusable component. Simplicity and small scale provide a unique architectural flexibility, which increases the potential for a second service life. Regarding brick constructions, the most important parameter is the choice of connectors. The lime-based mortar used in historical buildings is far more flexible than the cement mortar commonly used today, and recent developments point to a reintroduction of limes. On the other hand, the use of bolted connections can make mortar-less masonry possible, but this approach may lead to sub-optimization in achieving overall environmental goals.