Experimental Campaigns on Mechanical Properties and Seismic Performance of Unstabilized Rammed Earth—A Literature Review

Abstract

Earthen architecture has a significant share in the world’s fund of both residential architecture and cultural heritage. It provides a home to more than half of the world’s population and can be found in seismically active areas. Empirically acquired knowledge on building with rammed earth (RE) has usually been passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth, with no written scientific grant for the load-bearing capacity and resistance of structural elements. Today, many countries still do not have standards for the design of RE structures. In the development of new as well as existing design standards, the results of experimental research play a significant role. The focus of this study was on unstabilized RE, which is locally available material with low embodied energy. This paper elaborates experimental campaigns, within which meticulous techniques were employed to provide new knowledge on RE for use in earthquake-prone areas. Furthermore, this paper includes: (i) ranges of values of mechanical properties determined on RE specimens from all over the world; (ii) a comparative summary of experimental research conducted on walls and buildings to assess their seismic performance; (iii) an overview of standards and testing methods used in experiments; and (iv) recommendations for further research.

Sustainable Eco-Friendly Building Material – A Review Towards Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks and Fire Burnt Clay Bricks

“…Earth-built homes may be found in an approximate of 30 percent of the world's population [15]. With the help of either manual or motorized press, the raw or stabilized soil is moistened slightly before being put into press with a stabilizer.…”