Rammed Earth
Ramming earth to create walls is at least as old as the Great Wall of China. It is really quite similar to adobe and cob techniques, in that the soil is mostly clay and sand. The difference is that the material is compressed or tamped into place, usually with forms that create very flat vertical surfaces. Modern rammed earth typically utilizes heavy mechanized equipment to move and compress the material . The walls are normally at least a foot thick to give enough bulk to be stable and provide the thermal mass for comfort. It is best to apply insulating material to the outside of the building to keep the interior temperature constant. The interior surface can be finished in a variety of ways, from natural oil to more standard surfaces. Rammed earth houses tend to have a very solid, quiet feeling inside.
ARTICLES:
Tulou
Chinese Architecture
Rammed Earth:
Developing
New Guidelines for an Old Material
EXPERT
ADVICE
with Clifton Schooley
RAMMED EARTH QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Where
rammed earth works
Uses for rammed earth
Steps in ramming earth
Structural concerns
Thermal
characteristics
Rammed earth and humidity
Codes for rammed earth
Miscellaneous
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Plans
Santa Fe III
Sven Alstrom, Architect
This one story Santa Fe Style bungalow home is based upon 24-inch wide straw bale construction (or rammed edarth) on concrete block foundation & concrete spread footings with crawl spaces and a partial basement. Natural interior plaster and natural exterior stucco are recommended. A ten foot beamed ceiling in the living dining room overlooks an east facing courtyard patio. The house is 1,716 sq. ft. as shown (outside dimensions). The 2 foot thick exterior perimeter wall totals 158 square feet, therefore the net useable interior total is 1,558 square feet. The detached garage is an additional 728 square feet. This plan is shown with south facing entry and east facing courtyard. Overall site plan dimensions including the garage and porches shown are 66 feet deep x 82 feet wide. This plan is optimized for a hot climate.
For more information about this plan, and many others, visit our sister site www.dreamgreenhomes.com, where you will find a wide range of plans for sustainable homes, greenhouses, small buildings, garages, and food storage space for sale. Dream Green Homes is a consortium of outstanding architects and designers, who have pooled their talent and expertise for your benefit.
Informative Links
rammedearthworks.com informative site on rammed earth.
eartharchitecture.org features information and sponsors workshops on all typs of earth building.
adobebuilder.com Adobe Builder Magazine offers media, classes and information about adobe and rammed earth.
rammedearthhomes.com Contractor Quentin Branch has assembled an excellent selection of slides of rammed earth.
youtube.com There are several short videos of rammed earth construction posted here.
aseg.net stabilized rammed earth works in Australia.
earth-auroville.com Auroville in India has been working with various aspects of earthen architecture and has much to share.
sirewall.com and terrafirmabuilders specialize in insulated rammed earth, and offer workshops and information about this innovative approach to building.
rammedearth.blogspot very informative blog about rammed earth.
rammedearth.info a fine picture gallery of rammed earth projects and designs by Canadian rammer, Clifton Schooley.
iitk.ac.in/nicee this PDF document describes a simple, inexpensive method of reinforcing adobe or rammed earth buildings with plastic mesh for earthquake resistance.
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