Durability Analysis of Brick-Faced Clay-Core Walls in Traditional Residential Architecture in Quanzhou, China

Research on brick-faced clay-core walls (BCWs) in Quanzhou, a UNESCO World Heritage City, reveals that their durability stems from three key mechanisms: the protective and reinforcing synergy between brick and clay, the impact of external pollutant infiltration, and the stability of silicate minerals. Using advanced techniques such as finite element mechanics analysis (FEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), scientists analyzed the northern gable of Ding Gongchen’s former residence to uncover these insights. The study highlights that maintaining the structural integrity of BCWs relies on the interplay between brick and clay materials, as well as the stability of silicate minerals, offering a foundation for sustainable preservation of such traditional constructions.

Ding, Y., Guan, R., Chen, L., Wang, J., Zhang, Y., Fu, Y., & Zhang, C. (2025). Durability Analysis of Brick-Faced Clay-Core Walls in Traditional Residential Architecture in Quanzhou, China. Coatings, 15(8), 909. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15080909