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12 march 2014

Research essay on rammed earth building

This is a technique meant for building walls by utilizing the available natural raw materials like earth, chalk, lime or gravel. Buildings constructed using this technique is still evident even today in nations within Africa, Antarctica and Australia amongst others. Rammed earth buildings are seen as ancient methods of construction but due to the need to preserve and make full potentials of our traditions; people are looking for sustainable building materials which comprise of natural sources and the use of modern architect designs (Minke, 45) to construct long lasting buildings.

Example of a rammed earth (Source: Wikipedia. org)

Rammed earth buildings are easy to construct, they are also durable and strong. They are also non-combustible. The disadvantage is that they become labor intensive when the right machinery is not applied. It is also vulnerable to damage it is not well maintained against water. Therefore these buildings are usually found in places where people appreciate culture and diversity. The only factors to be considered while constructing rammed buildings are availability of good soil, building designs and favorable climatic conditions.

Building process requires skill and expertise in constructing a rammed structure. Selection of construction material should be consistent with the design required (Building with Earth in Scotland, 21). Material quality should also be enhanced as it will determine durability of the structure. Buildings made of earth will undergo processes for instance drying soil in order to regulate moisture content, pulverization process which will be determined by soil type. Soil is then mixed and lifted to the place of construction (Building with Earth in Scotland, 21). Wall measurements should be considered by determining its width and height.

Construction site should be free from erosion to boost the strength of the building. Surface defects like layering, variation in density, color, shrinkage and cracking can be avoided by adhering to the relevant construction guidelines (Nelson, 50). Formwork is another essential element to be considered in this process. Formwork is a temporary support for soil compaction during the moulding process. Formwork applied should be strong to withstand outward pressure and stiff in order to maintain the form without excessive distortion (Nelson, 56). (Below is a rammed earth building which also shows modern Australian Formwork)

Works Cited

Building with Earth in Scotland; “Innovative Design and Sustainability” Scottish Executive Central Research Unit. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2012. Print.

Minke, Sterngass. “Earth Construction Handbook. The building Material Earth in Morden Architecture”. Temple University Press, (2000). Print.

Nelson, Wayne. "Natural Building Colloquium: Compressed Earth Blocks". NetWorks Productions. (May 21, 2003). Retrieved February 4, 2012.