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Housing - New Build: Rammed earth

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1 to 26 of 26

  1.  
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeOct 27th 2010
     
    Is it a good idea to add some fibres to the mix for rammed earth or do they spoil the look?

    straw were the fibres that they had in mind in order to add some strength to the wall.
    • CommentAuthorfinny
    • CommentTimeOct 27th 2010
     
    will not add strength to your wall, will not look good.
    • CommentAuthorevan
    • CommentTimeOct 27th 2010
     
    Not sure if it adds strength but it does seem to be standard practice.
    The fibres can be covered up with a finish of clay plaster on the inside at least.
  4.  
    Are you planning something Tony..?

    J
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeOct 27th 2010
     
    I have been asked to go to Pakistan to help with rebuilding works using rammed earth -- nervous and concerned about it durability especially as it will likely be in the flooded zone (where I wouldn't think it was sensible to rebuild)

    Rammed earth is simple cheap and easy to learn, local etc
    • CommentAuthorevan
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2010 edited
     
    Think about using rammed earth in old car tyres for a "foundation course" then, like an earthship. Should be less resistant to dissolving / erosion from water.

    Will you be using rammed earth blocks from a machine or is it all hand made?
    • CommentAuthorJoiner
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2010 edited
     
    Factual/historical info: Says here to remove all organic material...

    http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Rammed-Earth-Construction.html
    • CommentAuthorfinny
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2010
     
    Earth construction, by Hugo Houben is the seminal work, and very relevant to developing world scenarios. Also ITDG published a good book but I can't recall its title..
    • CommentAuthordickster
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2010
     
    I would have thought that adding straw would put a "bounce" into the earth that you are ramming and presume that this would be a bad thing. A non compressible fibre might do? Hemp?
    • CommentAuthorJoiner
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2010
     
    Presumably the advice to remove organic matter is because it decays? Voids in a rammed-earth structure are weak points and offer moisture a way in? So why does cob construction demand the addition of straw?

    As no one appears to want to address the points raised in that link, can I ask why they've said: "The soil from a new building site is tested to determine its suitability. Organic material must be removed from the soil and, if necessary, a different type of soil can be trucked in and mixed with the existing dirt to create a blend that will work."

    finny? You've read the book.
    • CommentAuthorbarney
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2010
     
    Presumably the advice to remove organic matter is because it decays? Voids in a rammed-earth structure are weak points and offer moisture a way in? So why does cob construction demand the addition of straw?


    It's a different process - cob is essentially a non compressive method that relies on good adhesion between all the elements and is built in layers that are required to dry before extending.

    Rammed earth relies on both the mix and the compressed nature of the fill - so organic matter is a problem because it's compressive

    At least that's my take on it

    Regards

    Barney
    • CommentAuthorfinny
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2010
     
    Yes I've read the book.. here goes..
    bear with my laymans understanding of physics..
    Unlike cob, which is literally cobbled together, rammed earth involves a vibratory influence being imposed on the mixture. This effectively reorganises the particulate make up of the mix into a sort of interlocking bond. If the lifts are not effectively rammed or vibrated, the whole thing is prone to slump. The blend of silty clays to larger graded matter is vital to achieving this process, hence the testing of excavated earth on site. Any organic matter is inherently unstable being physically influenced by changes in moisture levels.
    Forgive me it's been a while since both reading the book and studying physics!
    I will dig the book out of the loft and will donate it to your worthy cause if you pm me. I travelled extensively in the north of Pakistan some years ago and found it to be a stunning country with lovely people. The lack of support for them now is a terrible shame.
  13.  
    Ummm. I'm thinking of doing the rammed earth thing on an extension in Normandy, and was planning to use the dirt as is....

    Just wondering how the organic matter, if any, should be removed? Don't fancy sieving the lot!
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2010
     
    dig the earth from deeper down
    • CommentAuthorJoiner
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2010
     
    Thanks finny.
    • CommentAuthorfinny
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2010
     
    tony is right.. top soil is no good. subsoil only which should be pretty free from organic matter. test it. put it in a jam jar 3rd full, fill with water, shake, leave to settle, see wot you got..
  17.  
    Isnt the basic recipe sand and clay? So you need to dig down until you find the clay and either add clay or sand depending on the composition found on site.
  18.  
    Building a Earthship inspired rammed earth lodge in Scotland presently have a curved wall 500mm thich by 2.6m high 35m long read all the books and lots of the internet based info

    Little to no organic matter, at least 20% clay, sand, small gravels nothing bigger than an egg size, once on site do excavations and test earth (sub soil) need to keep foundation dry. Learnd so much more once we started to RAM
    good luck
    • CommentAuthorevan
    • CommentTimeNov 15th 2010
     
    What did you decide to use for insulation ally, you were talking about the big square bales?
  20.  
    Straw bales to the outer side with 150mm of home grown sheep'swool packed in cavity between RE wall and straw bale Wall over a meter thick with u value of 0.08 this is all protected by the "oversail" of the roof

    Very low tech, using the RE wall for heat storage and a massive humidity buffer
    • CommentAuthorevan
    • CommentTimeNov 16th 2010
     
    How about the back of the straw bale wall, is that buried or lime plastered or what?
    Cheers.
  22.  
    There is a protected service zone on the side of the insulation which gives complete protection from the outside elements. Straw is exposed or maybe a breather paper pined to bales.
  23.  
    Hey Ally,

    What method of formwork did you use to make the walls? I've been checking out the David Easton book, and don't quite understand his preferred method of using vertical colums... Also did you do the ramming by hand?
    • CommentAuthorseascape
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2011
     
    Tony - maybe good to contact the Permaculture Association to see if they have any related experience/research re building with rammed earth etc. They set up/advise on projects overseas mainly to to with sustainable food/water, but in doing that must have to build as well, often in very poor areas. Yemen has whole cities made out of mud I think - not sure if it has organic material in or if it's same as rammed earth - less flood issues I expect!
    • CommentAuthortahir
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2011
     
    Have you spoken to Rowland Keable? www.rammed-earth.info
    • CommentAuthortahir
    • CommentTimeMar 23rd 2011
     
    Also, earth construction was a traditional method in most of India/Pakistan so there should still be local knowledge available.

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