Earth-based construction

Abstract

Work has been carried out based on the new possibilities of using earth in construction, after considering its interest in previous times and the new possibilities which it offers in the face of criticism imposed by the energy crisis. Predicted housing needs up to the year 2000 have been considered along with other parameters which have once again grown in importance on being compared economically with industrialized materials, construction systems, solutions oriented towards the developing countries, etc. Work continues along the first lines of practical experimentation, developed by the team working on low-cost housing oriented towards the search for and the promotion of abundant local resources such as earth, avenues of research whose starting-point involves the team becoming acquainted with techniques and materials during the course conducted in Ciadueña (Soria). The technical aspects of earthen material are described: these have been developed along the same lines as initial practical experiments oriented towards the most suitable selection of its components, once the bibliographical data related to this subject have been collated. Amongst the technical considerations, a more exhaustive exposition has been reached concerning: 1) Existing techniques: adobe bricks, packed earth (moulds for mudwalls), etc. 2) The most appropriate component percentages for the selection of material considered to be preferable for each of the previous techniques. 3) Considerations of the physical and mechanical aspects of existing machinery and that undergoing testing, as well as the possibilities with regard to its being put into operation, comparative costs, etc. 4) The study of the possibilities for improving the characteristics of earthen material, by means of different stabilization techniques (making it compact, granulometric corrections, physicochemical stabilizers, bitumen, industrial products, etc.). The article ends with a series of conclusions oriented towards dissipating possible prejudices which exist with regard to earthen constructions.