Assessment of compressed earth blocks made in Spain: International durability tests

A new procedure to adapt any type of soil for the consolidation and construction of earthen structures: projected earth system

“…This, together with dry bulk density (>1.85 g/cm 3 ), among other parameters, allowed us to assign the SP compaction a "very dense" relative compaction value (33). With regard to the "S r " saturation level [4], our level of 52% was acceptable since it allowed us to achieve SP density without sacrificing air permeability in compacted soil. The S r values are consistent with the fact that the void ratio continues to decrease as compaction energy, and therefore density, increases, which is solely due to the air being expelled or compressed and dissolved in the water.…”

“…Most research and advances in the use of earthbased construction materials has focussed on strengthening adobe as a material, or on the study of compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) (2)(3)(4)(5), which in Spain is the only existing standard governing earthen building materials (6). There are few standards governing rammed earth construction (7): Zimbabwe introduced the SAZS 724 standard (8) and in India the IS 2110 standard (9) applies to soilcement walls.…”

The durability of compressed earth-based masonry blocks

“…These units are increasingly being seen as industrialized materials, and are no longer considered as only appropriate or applicable to traditional approaches for self-construction of infrastructure in the built environment (Cid-Falceto et al, 2012). Many examples exist of the increasing use of industrial and agricultural waste and by-product materials in compressed earth masonry, and it is not possible to cover or quote all of them here.…”

“…For unstabilized soil blocks, some researchers have shown preference to total material loss rather than depth or erosion. Cid-Falceto et al (2012) observed that the maximum erosion produced on unstabilized compressed earth blocks in a water drip test was not due to the direct fall of the drop of water, but rather to the run-off that takes place. They recommended weight losses within the range of 5e10% as the limiting performance criteria for unstabilized compressed earth blocks.…”

The properties and durability of adobe earth-based masonry blocks

“…These are mentioned for adobe blocks in several national standards (Cid-Falceto et al, 2012). These are mentioned for adobe blocks in several national standards (Cid-Falceto et al, 2012).…”