폐기성 낙엽을 활용하기 위한 벽돌 개발 및 환경성 평가

Abstract

This study explores the potential of recycling urban fallen leaves into eco-friendly building materials by developing compressed leaf bricks using natural adhesives such as dextrin, albumin, gelatin, and casein. The research targeted Jinju City, South Korea, which produces an annual leaf waste volume of 31.41 tons. Fallen leaves were dried, processed, and compressed into bricks measuring 190×90×57 mm, adhering to KS L 4201 standards. Durability and combustion tests evaluated their physical and environmental performance. Albumin and gelatin-based bricks exhibited superior water resistance, suitable for temporary structures such as small agricultural facilities and lightweight partitions. Combustion tests revealed low emissions of formaldehyde (HCHO) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), ensuring environmental safety. Transportation simulations showed that compressing leaves into bricks reduced carbon emissions by 69.6% compared to transporting uncompressed leaves. These findings demonstrate the potential of leaf bricks in mitigating urban waste while providing an eco-friendly construction material. Future studies will focus on optimizing large-scale production processes and comparing the compressive strength and water absorption of leaf bricks with conventional clay bricks.