Mortar to Repair Rammed-Earth Walls’ Surfaces: Do we still Need it?

Abstract

A rammed-earth technique has been echoed worldwide due to being conceived not only as an environment-friendly method of construction but also standing as an alternative method to arguably replacing cement. The technique however shows several pitfalls. One concerns the lengthy process of curing upon erecting the rammed-earth walls due to the low process of a chemical reaction occurred throughout the curing stage. A second bias followed from the slow curing and concerns the degradation accentuated at the outer wall’s texture, particularly at the edges, due to effects of the weather cycle. These drawbacks have been observed while accomplishing a funded research project. This article has at its stake remedying the above pitfalls. A natural sandy limestone shows a low percentage of calcium carbonate needed for a cohesive mixture. The method suggested here is based on an experiment that uses minerals of the fruits’ and vegetables’ waste as a binding substance. Curing time in this method has been reduced to the half. It is also suggested here that each stage has its importance, including mixing the soil particles dry and wet, compacting the moistened soil mixture, a well-made formwork and curing, towards remedying the above pitfalls.