CONTEMPORIZING EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE

Adissertationon…..CONTEMPORIZINGEARTHENARCHITECTURE….

ABSTRACT:

‘Earth’asabuildingmaterialhasacircularmaterialflow&resourcesalvation&buildingwiththe earthtodayremainsado–it–yourselftechnique.Earthisprobablyknownasthemostprimitive buildingmaterialtomankind.Itistimely,thatearthenarchitectureisrevisitedforitspotentialtomeet thegrowingdemandforcontemporarystructuresandrelievestheincreasingburdenofurbanization, theEarthisanalternativematerial–anenvironmentallybenign,renewable,globallyaccessible& mostaffordablesolution.Ourconstructionindustryisresponsibleforroughly40%ofglobalmaterial &energyconsumption,CO2emissionsfromthechosenbuildingmaterialswhichaccountfor28%of buildings-relatedannualCO2emissions–inwhichcement&steelhavethehighestcarbonfootprint areusedinthelargerquantities&continuestoincrease(WorldGreenBuildingCouncil,2018).As globaleffortsaremadetoreducethefootprintbyreplacingthemwithalternativebuilding materials-Earthisonesuchprimitive,contemporary,futuristicalternative&affordablesolutionthatin recentyearshasattracted,renewedattention&prevalentinallclimaticzones.Thus,thisstudybriefs theevolutionofearthenarchitectureovertheagesalongwithitsconstructiontechniquesfromthe past,present&future.Thestudyincludescaseexamplesofallthreeerasworldwide.Thestudyalso hasanin–depthfocusonunderstandingtheissues&challengesregardingthebuildingpermits& codesfortheEarthenBuildingMaterials&Methods|EBMM|&hasabriefdetailinitsfuturescope.

Keywords:earthenarchitecture,circularmaterialflow,resourcesalvation,carbonfootprint, alternativebuildingmaterial,EBMM|EarthenBuildingMaterials&Methods|

AIMOFTHESTUDY:

‘Earth’AsABuildingMaterialHasTheCircularMaterialFlow&ResourceSalvation…… BuildingWithTheEarthTodayRemainsADo–it–yourselfTechnique……..

RESEARCHQUESTIONS

Earthenmaterialsguidelinesforavarietyofconstruction processes&possibleapplicationsbyarchitects,engineers, entrepreneurs,craftsmen&publicpolicymakers…whofind themselvesattemptingeitherfromdesireornecessity,tocome totermswithhumanity’soldestbuildingmaterial (GernotMinke,2006)…..

Tocomprehend,analyzeandsynthesizethedirectionsthroughwhich‘Earth’isusedincontemporarysustainableconstruction.

OBJECTIVESOFTHESTUDY:

‣Tounderstandthepotentialofthe‘Earth’asthebuildingmaterial&traceitsevolutionofconstructiontechniquessincetheages.

‣Toanalyzetheecologicalaspect,challenges&thermalperformanceofearthenarchitecture.

‣Tocomprehendthecodes&buildingpermitsspecifictoearthasabuildingmaterial|INDIANcontext|

‣Toexploreinnovativeconstructiontechniquesinthecurrentcontext&futuretrends.

LIMITATIONSOFTHESTUDY:

ThestudyislimitedtothedetailedunderstandingofbuildingphysicsrevolvingaroundtheRammedEarth|RE|construction&CSEB|Compressed StabilizedEarthBlock|usedinthemainstreamofsustainablebuildingconstruction.

1.If‘Earth’asabuildingmaterialmeetsthe requirementsofasustainable building…Howitsprimitivetechniques canbegrouped&guidecontemporary architecture?&‘Buildingswithnatural materialsaredesignedtobeplacedinthe countryside,…whyearthenarchitecture isnotevidentwithintheurban development???

2.Despitetheiradvantages,‘Earth’asthe circularmaterialflowwithaffordable& alternativeconstructiontechniques….Why theyarenotimplementedinthe mainstreamconstructionindustry???

RESEARCHMETHODOLOGY: Knowledgedevelopment EARTHENARCHITECTURE

THEMATICANALYSIS |earthenarchitecture–background,ideology, evolution,roles&currenttrends &techniques|

ResearchQuestions& ResearchObjectives |Qualitative| DATA COLLECTION Literaturecumcasestudy

1.Typology|extremes|

2.Constructiontechnique

3.Buildingphysics|Quantified|

4.Buildingpermits

Secondarysource: Books(GernotMinke),references,UN articles,Researchpapers,websites |internetsources|

DATAANALYSIS |researchfordesign implementation|

whyearth???

Theterm“CarbonFootprint”isessentiallydescribinghowmuchcarbonisbeingemittedbyacertain object,action,orgroup.Itisimportanttokeepinmindthatitisalsomeasuredasacompetingcomponent to“EcologicalFootprint”.

Beinginnovativeandcreatingsustainablebuildinggoalsisanessentialpartoftheconstructionindustry.The choiceofmaterialswechoosetoutilizeinerectingourfuturebuildingsplayahugefactorinhowitplays itsroleinsavingourenvironment.

ClayBrickWall |345kgembodiedcarbonperm³|

SoftwoodTimber |110kgembodiedcarbonperm³|

future-proofingmaterialresources–comparedcyclesofconcrete&earthen construction–EARTHremainsinthebiological cyclewhileconcreteentersatechnicalcycleof materialdegradation,compromisingfuture recyclability…..

currentearthenarchitecture&climaticzones

POTENTIALOFEARTHASTHEBUILDINGMATERIAL…..

•Earthisoneoftheoldestbuildingmaterialsknowntomankind...

•Earthenarchitecturecanbedefinedasabuildingwherethemainconstructionalmaterialisunfiredearth.

ReinforcedConcrete |635kgembodiedcarbonperm³|

•Loadbearingwalls,inthefillingofwalls,roofstructures,rooffinishes,andfurniturecanbeconstructedfrom theearth.

•Itisaversatilematerialwithmanyconstructiontechniquesthatrangefrommudbrick(adobe),rammedearth, wattle-and-daub,cobwalls,etc...

Earthranksasthelowestincarbonfootprint,asitis basicallyanancienttechniquethatonlyusesnaturalraw materialssuchasearth,chalk,lime,and/orgravel.Itis consideredtobethemostsustainablebuildingmethod. Withanaverageof48kgembodiedcarbonperm³ , itisslowlymakingarevivalincontemporarybuildings asitisgoodfortheenvironmentandhasaunique aesthetic..

Stone |237kgembodiedcarbonperm³|

CrossLaminatedTimber |219kgembodiedcarbonperm³|

Glass |3600kgembodiedcarbonperm³|

SteelSection |12090kgof embodiedcarbonperm³|

•Eachregionhasitssystemsandtheycouldbeadaptedtodiverseneeds.Thebasicearthenmaterialcanbe improvedwiththeuseoflocalnaturalreinforcementproductswhichareoftenwastematerials,whichcan getrecycledeasily.

•Today,itiswellknownforitsgoodenvironmentalpropertiesofrecyclabilityandlowembodiedenergyalong theproductionprocess.

•Accordingtoitsworkability,buildingwithearthtakesthreeforms;

1.MONOLITHIC

2.UNIT–BASED

3.MIXEDSTRUCTURES

Aluminium |18009kgofembodiedcarbonperm³|

thecomparisonofthecarbonfootprintsofearthenmaterialstotheotherconventionalmaterials……

SOURCE:https://pliteq.com/news/building-vs-carbon-footprint/ Modernearthbuildingcodes,standards,andnormativedevelopment Ben-Alonw.r.t.H.Schroeder,BauhausUniversityWeimar,Germany(2016)

technicalstandardofmudblockbuildinginancientEgypt–1500BC

THELIMITATIONSOFTHEEBMM|EarthenBuildingMaterials&Methods|….

•EBMMexhibitlimitationsbecauseoftheirlabor-intensiveconstruct&thusmightbecostlier,andtheyarestructurallyweakerthan conventionalbuildingmaterials(Halletal.,2012),whichplaceslimitsontheirheight.

•However,intheeraofemergingdesigntechnologyandstructuralknowledge,newopportunitiesaredevelopedforthe implementationofearthenmaterialsinamodernenvironment.Tobeconsideredinmainstreamconstruction,itiscrucialtocapture theadvantagesofearthenbuildings.

•Overthepastfewdecades,ithasbeenincreasinglyeasytoextract,process,andtransportbuildingmaterialsforconstruction (King,2017).Inthiscontext,earthenbuildingmaterialsofferamuchmoresustainablealternativetoconventionalmaterials; ExistingenvironmentalLifeCycleAssessment(LCA)illustratesthatEBMMcanpotentiallyrequirelessenergyandemitlessGreen HouseGasses(GHG)duringtheirlifecycle.

•Thisisduetoearthenmaterialsself-sustaininglifecyclethatbeginswiththeutilizationofrawsoil,continueswithnaturalprocessing, andendswiththereuseofrecycledearthenmaterials.

THECIRCULARMATERIALFLOW|LCA|OFEBMM….

1.Soil

2.EarthBuildingMaterial

3.EarthConstructionSystem

Thisclassificationrelatestothelifecycleassessment(LCA)oftheearthasabuildingmaterial.Each sectionofthiscyclehasitsspecificrequirementsthatguaranteetheusabilityofthematerialor productinthatsection.Usabilityrequirementsaredefinedinstandardsbycorresponding parameters.

Typicalparametersinclude:

Soil:grading,plasticity,naturalconstituentscontent,linearshrinkage

Buildingmaterial:strength/deformationcharacteristics

Constructionsystem:strength/deformationcharacteristics,aspectratio,soundandfireperformance, thermalcharacteristics,earthquakeresistance

Cradle-to-Cradlelifecyclediagram oftheearthasabuilding material…

Earthisacircular&completelyrecyclablebuildingmaterial–future-proofingresourcesfortheupcominggeneration

•Futureproofingmaterialresources–comparedcyclesofconcrete&earthenconstruction–EARTHremainsinthebiologicalcycle whileconcreteentersatechnicalcycleofmaterialdegradation,compromisingfuturerecyclability…..

SOURCE:Ben-Alonw.r.t.H.Schroeder,BauhausUniversityWeimar,Germany(2016) https://ukdiss.com/examples/innovative-traditional-earth-materials-and-techniques.php

thecomposition&constituentsofthesoil&their physicalproperties…..

•History

•Environment

•Traditions

•Culture

•Compatibilitywith othermaterials

•Availability& usability

•Versatileconstruction techniques

•Aesthetics

•Qualityoflife

•Affordable

PROPERTIESOFEARTHASABUILDINGMATERIAL….

•ThedeteriorationofearthbuildingsismainlyduetoShrinkage,cracking,erosion,underscoring,andmechanical damage,thefactisitisduetodirectorindirectwater(Hammond,1973).

•Theearthbuildingssuccessfullylastfordecadesinalmostalltypesofregionsandclimatesandalsowithproper careandmaintenancewhenit’sdonewithsuitablearchitecturaldesign,structuraltechniques,andproper stabilizationmeasuresandcareinsitting.

•Foralltypesofearthconstruction,theimportantpropertiesarecompressivestrength,waterabsorption,andweather resistance

•Whencomparedtothemanycommonlyusedcontemporarybuildingmaterialstheproductionandconstructionof earthmaterialsdonothaveanyhealthhazardsandnopollution.

•Unlikeotherconventionalmaterials,….buildingwithearthhasdisadvantagesamongstmanyofitsadvantagesinthe mainstreamconstructionindustry….&thosethreestatementsinclude:

1.Earth-notastandardizedbuildingmaterial

2.Earth-themixturesmightshrinkwhendried

3.Earth-asamaterialisnotwaterresistant

•Despitealltheaboveearthbalancestheairhumidity,storestheheat,savesenergy&reducespollution,isalways reusable,savesthematerial&transportationcosts,preservesorganicmaterials,absorbspollutants&isidealfor do–it–yourselfconstruction…

ALTERNATIVEBUILDINGMATERIALS,TECHNIQUES&TECHNOLOGIES…..

i.RAMMEDEARTH

ii.COB

iii.ADOBE

iv.STRAW-BALECONSTRUCTION

v.BIOCONCRETE

vi.ASHCRETE

vii.PAPERCRETE

viii.BAMBOO

ix.EARTHSHIPHOMES

x.SHIPPINGCONTAINERHOMES

xi.3-DPRINTING

xii.MYCELIUM

xiii.FERROCK

xiv.CRUMBRUBBER

xv.DESERTSANDCONCRETE

xvi.ICE

xvii.BOTTLES

xviii.SALT

xix.PLASPHALT

thestand-alonepossibilitiesoftheearthasvaried technical&alternativebuildingmaterialsamongthe othersingle-usealternativebuildingmaterial…..

Source:3-DPrintedEarthenArchitecturebyPaulRussell https://terraversa.es/the-12-techniques-of-earth-construction-English/

spiderdiagramsshowingacomparisonofthefivemost importantfactorsinanyidenticalprojectfordifferent constructionmethodsoflong-termbuildings…..&are basedon;

Flowdiagram forthe construction, usephase,and endoflifefor3Dprinted earthen buildings…..

EARTH–terminology:

AsabuildingmaterialEARTHisreferredtobythescientifictermcalledLoam,whichhasamixtureofclay,andsilt (finesand)&alsooccasionallyconsistsoflargeraggregates,suchasgravelorstone….

•Ashandmadeunbakedbricks-mudbricksoradobeisthetechnicaltermused.

•Ascompressedunbakedblocks–soilblockorearthblocksisthetechnicaltermused.

•Whencompactedwithformwork–rammedearthisthetechnicaltermusedinexistence.(GernotMinke)

1.Dugout

2.Cutblocks

3.Filledin

4.Covered

5.Compressedblocks

6.Shaped

7.Stacked(cob)

8.Moulded(adobe)

9.Extruded

10.Daubed(W&D)

11.Formed(straw&clay)

12.Poured

Classification/WHEEL1

12constructiontechniquesbyAUROVILLEEARTHINSTITUTEbasedonthecontentofwaterinthemixture….

1.Affordability

2.Processing&constructionspeed

3.Easeinconstruction&practice

4.Freedomofform

5.Sustainability

Classification/WHEEL2

18constructiontechniquesbyHouben&Gillandbasedontheloadbearingsystem….

THE12FORMSOFEARTHCONSTRUCTIONINPRACTICE….

1.Dugout:Dwellingdugdirectlyoutofalayeroftheearth’scrust

2.Earth-shelteredspace:Astructurebuiltofamaterialotherthanearthisencasedandcoveredwithsoil

3.Fill-in:Ungradedsoilusedtofillhollowmaterialsusedasaframework

4.Cut-blocks:Blocksoftheeartharecutdirectlyfromtheground

5.Compressedearth:Blocksormassivewallsareformedbycompressingsoilinformworkmolds

6.Directshaping:Thinwallsbuiltbydirectmanualshapingofplasticsoil

7.Stackedearth:Thickwallsbuiltbypillingballsofearthontopofoneanother

8.Moldedearth:Pastysoilismoldedbyhandormoldedinvariousshapes

9.Extrudedearth:Asoilpasteextrudedbyapowerfulmachineusedtomakebuildingelements

10.Pouredearth:Liquidsoilpouredintoformworkormolds

11.Strawclay:Slurryconsistingofclayeysoilbindsshredsofstrawfibertoproduceafibrousmaterial

12.Daubedearth:Clayeysoilmixedwithfibersisappliedinathinlayertoinfillasupport

THECURRENTTECHNIQUES,ELEMENTS&STYLESOFEARTH-BASEDCONSTRUCTION….

Theelements,techniques&stylesofearthenarchitecturehavetheircharacteristicsintheliterature classifications,whichinclude;

1.TRADITIONALORVERNACULAR

2.CONTEMPORARY

3.RADICAL

Thepublicinterestedstyles|residential|andbeingacceptedworldwideinclude;

1.COB&ADOBEinbothvernacular&contemporary

2.Rammedearth&CSEBincontemporary

3.Earthbags&Earthshipsinradicalstylesprovetheirqualityoflifebeyondsustainabilityin common.

Constructiontechniquesusingearthcanbedividedintothreemaincategories:

I.Techniquethatusesearthinload-bearingmonolithicconstructions.

II.Techniquesthatuseearthinload-bearingmasonrystructures.

III.Techniquesthatuseearthasanon-bearingconstructionmaterialincombinationwithasupportingstructureofanothermaterial.

thetechniques,elements&stylesofearthconstructionindifferenteras

thelostconnectionamongthestakeholdersinvolved intheearthconstructionpracticeworldwide

NORMATIVEDOCUMENTSOFEARTHEN ARCHITECTURE&BUILDINGPERMITS…

‣Anormativedocumentisa‘documentthatprovidesrules, guidelines,andcharacteristicsforactivitiesortheirresults, andasaresulthasneitherthescopenortheendorsement ofastandard,althoughitcanbecomea‘standard’after adoptionbyagovernmentalbody&aredevelopedbya groupofspecialistsororganizationswithproven competenceintherespectivefieldandarepublishedfor generaluse.

‣Thefollowingtableprovidesanoverviewofexistingearthbuildingstandardsandnormativedocumentsaccordingto documenttype.

Earthenarchitectureashumankind’schoice-basedliving

EMERGINGOFEBMMINTHECONSTRUCTIONMAINSTREAM…

Earthenbuildingresearchsuffersthedisconnectionbetweenthevariousabovedisciplinesinmany projectsworldwide…..

Overthecenturies,manybuildingtechnologiesthatusetheearthhavebeendevelopedinvarious regionsoftheworld.Theirvarietyresults,amongotherfactors,fromthetypeoflandandclimate conditionsprevailinginthearea.

‣Thirty-threedifferentdocumentshavebeenidentifiedfrom 19countriespublishedbyregional,national,orlocal standardsbodiesoverthelast30years(recentresearch). Thetechnicalinformationtheycontainvariesconsiderably.

statisticsshowingthepracticeofEBMMworldwide theEarthconstructionpracticeintheIndiancontext|today|

TheregionsinIndiapracticingtheearthenarchitecturethepresentday&towardsthefuturepractice….

SOURCE:LBen-Alonetal2019IOPConf.Ser.:EarthEnviron.Sci.323012139 http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma12091396

NORMATIVEDOCUMENTSOFEARTHENARCHITECTURE&BUILDINGPERMITS…

•Secondarysoilparameters,suchasshrinkage,canbederivedfromtheprimary parameters.

•Theinteractionbetweenthesephysicalandchemical–mineralogicalparameters isverycomplexandcannotbeanalyzedindependentlyofoneanother.

•Industriallyproducedearth-buildingmaterialsconsistofdifferentingredients whichareexactlydosedandpreparedaccordingtodefinedrecipes.

THESELECTIONCRITERIAAREBASEDONTHETYPEOF SOILAVAILABILITY…

•Theprimaryparametersforselectingsoilssuitableforearth-buildingpurposes arethegranularcomposition,whichservesasthe‘load-bearingskeleton’,and theplasticityorcohesioncausedbythetypeandamountofclayparticles(d≤ 0.002mm).

•Theseparticlesactasanaturalbinderholdingtogetherthecoarsegrains.

•Theplasticitycanalsobeinfluencedbynaturaladmixturessuchashumusand solublesalts.

Twoapproachesareusedinearthbuildingstandardstoquantifytheparameters‘graincomposition’ and‘plasticity’forsoilssuitablefortypicalbuildings.

FAVOURABLEPARAMETERSOFEBMMAMONGOTHER CONVENTIONALMATERIALS….

•ThePEIisacriterioncommonlyusedtoascertainarough estimationoftheecologicalbalanceofbuildingmaterial, allowingonetocomparetheenergyefficiencyofproduction processesintermsof‘embodied’energy.Inthecaseofearth buildingmaterials,thePEIisafavorableparameterbecauseitis extremelylow:comparingthePEIoftheearthwiththatoftypical buildingmaterialssuchasconcrete,reinforcedconcreteorsteel exhibitsaclear&significantdifference.

•Thisisafurtherreasonwhytheuseofearthforconstruction purposeshasbecomeincreasinglysignificantinmanycountries, andthisnewdevelopmentisalsoreflectedbyarisingnumberof earth-buildingstandards.

•Earthenmaterialshelptoregulateandfiltertheinteriorroom climate.

Theaffordable&cyclicprocessinEBMM

SOURCE:LBen-Alonetal2019IOPConf.Ser.:EarthEnviron.Sci.323012139 http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma12091396 Ben-Alon-https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333828326

Table:1.Anoverviewofthetypesofearthbuildingstandards&normativedocuments

Themeaning&briefoftheabovenormativedocuments

Table:2.Relationshipbetweensoilcharacteristics&constructiontechniques

Table:3.Numericalrangesofrecommendedsoilgradation& plasticityforRE&CSEBconstruction

Table:4.Recommendedvaluesforwallthickness,heightlimits&slenderness |maximum|ofearthenwalls

BARRIERSANDGAPSTOTHEBROADERIMPLEMENTATIONOFEBMM:

Thefivebasicintermediatebarriersfortheimplementationofthe earthenbuildingmaterials&methodsintothemainstream construction–Analysisfromtheworldwideinterview:

1.PERCEPTUALGAP-LaborintensityofEBMMconstruction

2.TECHNICALGAP-LackofcontractorsorEBMMprofessionals& unexpectedcosts

3.REGULATORYGAP-Challenginginissuingthebuildingpermits forerectingtheearthenstructures

4.FIELDGAP-Difficultyinfindinganinsurancecompanytoinsure anearthenhouse

5.INNOVATIONGAP-Requiredhighmaintenance

CASESTUDIES___4

ClassificationofsoilavailabilityinextremegeographicconditionsinINDIANcontext…

CRITICALSTEPSTOADVANCINGEBMMGIVEN CAPTUREDPERCEPTION:

1.MOREEDUCATION-IncreasingAwarenessand KnowledgeaboutEBMM

2.MORETECHNICALDATA–ConductingTestsand SynthesizingEBMMTechnicalandEnvironmental PerformanceData

3.MOREREGULATORYREPRESENTATION–Includingthe VariousEBMMinInternationalandUser-FriendlyBuilding Regulations

4.MORETRAINING–EducatingBuildingProfessionalsto UseEBMM

5.MOREINNOVATION–UsingResearchtoEnhanceEBMM

SOURCE:Ben-Alon-https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333828326 Ben-Alon-https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333828326 http://www.nzdl.org/cgi-bin/library?e=d-00000-00---off-0hdl--00-0----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4-------0-0l--11-en-50---20-about---00-0-1-00-0-0-11----0-0&a=d&c=hdl&cl=CL2.21&d=HASHabe333ab03ad97551319eb.4

CASEEXAMPLE–ADOBE-

OfficebuildingofthePassiveSolarArchitectureGroupofthe CentreofEnergyStudiesattheIndianInstituteofTechnology, NewDelhi….

LOCATION:NewDelhi

CLIMATE:compositeclimate

BUILDINGTYPE:officebuildingcumresearchlaboratory

EARTHCONSTRUCTIONTECHNIQUE:ADOBEvaults&domes

CONSTRUCTIONYEAR:1991withthebuilt–upareaof115sq.m. projectbyGernotminke&theenergyconceptbyN.KBansal….

Foundation andplinth burntbricks

Wallsand domes stabilizedsoilblocks

Vaultshand-madestabilized adobebricks

Adobesareunfiredmud bricksshapedbyhand ormoulded&joined togetherwithmud mortar. Theyaremadeofearth mixedwithwaterand mostoftenwithorganic materialsuchasstraw ordung.

Surface treatment Cowdung-mudmortar, hydrophobized

Floorscementscreed

Vertical windows fixedglass

Skylightsacrylicglasswithopenings fornaturalventilation.

Table:5.PEIoftypicalbuildingmaterialscomparedwithearth buildingmaterials

Table:6.Thermalconductivityvaluesfortheearthenbuildingmaterials

claybricks….technique….|bookcasestudy|….1

aninnovativeearthofficebuildinginIndia…

PassiveConceptsandElements:

Reductionofsolarheatgainbysmallsurface-to-volumeratioandbyshadingof openingsagainstthesummersun;

·reductionofheattransmissionintotheinteriorbycowdung-mudrenderingwithlow heattransmission,andbyreductionofairinfiltrationbyfixedwindowglass;

·increaseofheatlossbynaturalventilation,duetothebuildingformandopeningsat thetop;

·coolinginthehotseasonandheatinginthecoldseasonbyanearthtunnelsystem:100 mofceramicpipe(diam.150mm)laid3.20mbelowground,throughwhichambientair, blownbytwo300Wfans,iscooled/heatedtothenearlyconstantearthtemperatureof 25°C,correspondingtotheannualmeantemperature.

BUILDINGDESIGN:

•Thebuildingcomprisesthree"Nubian"vaultsandthreedomes,providing115 m²ofofficeandlaboratoryspaceforaresearchgroup,aswellasacentral hallasamulti-purposeroomforseminars,meetings,andexhibitions.

•Theshapesofboththevaultsanddomesareinvertedcatenaries,thatis,their sectionrepresentsacurvethatremainsstablewhenreversingthedirectionof forces,aninvertedcatenaryisanidealshapeforvaultsanddomes.

•About100m3oftheearthexcavatedforthefoundationswasusedforthe walls,domes,vaults,andsurfacetreatment.However,sinceithadverypoor dryandwetstrength,duetoitsextremelyhighcontentofsiltandfinesand,it hadtobestabilizedbyadding4%cement

•Theconstructiontechnologyisbasedontheuseoflocalmaterials,itislaborintensiveandcaneasilybelearnedbyunskilledworkers.Comparedwith conventionalbuildings,acostreductionofabout25%wasachieved,and couldevenreach30%withatrainedconstructionteamandalargernumber ofbuildings.

CASEEXAMPLE–COBearth….technique….|netcasestudy|....2

EarthenSchoolTipuSultanMerkez…

LOCATION:JarMaulwivillage,Lahore,Pakistan

CLIMATE:semi–aridzone

BUILDINGTYPE:privateschool

EARTHCONSTRUCTIONTECHNIQUE:cob+wattle&daub+bamboo

CONSTRUCTIONYEAR:initiatedin2001,siteareaof950sq.mwiththefloorareaof650 sq.mdevelopedbyTipuSultanMerkez(TSM)

•Thefirstlevelofthetwo-storybuildingisconstructedwithcobwallscomprisedof locallysourcedclay,sand,straw,water,andearth,restinguponbrickfoundations, theinteriorspacesareprotectedfrommoisturepenetratingfromthegroundor rainwater&theupperfloorisabambooframeworkfilledwithanearthen mixture

•Thecombinedresultofthestructureabsorbshumidityandthemassofthethick 60cmbearingwallsreducesthetemperatureofinteriorspacesby8degrees Celsiusduringthe40-degreesummerheat.

•Localresidentswereabletobuildtheirnewcommunityfacilitybyimplementing appropriateconstructiontechnologiesandskillswhichwerealreadypresentwithin thevillage.

builtfromnatureand returnedtonature diagram

Theon-siteconstructionprocessof theearthenschool…theground andthefirstfloorlevels…

SOURCE:https://www.designboom.com/architecture/ziegert-roswag-seiler-architekten-ingenieure-earthen-school-in-pakistan/ https://divisare.com/projects/309226-ziegert-roswag-seiler-architekten-ingenieure-earthen-school-tipu-sultan-merkez-pakistan https://www10.aeccafe.com/blogs/arch-showcase/2012/02/11/earthen-school-in-jar-maulwi-pakistan-by-ziegert-roswag-seiler-architekten-ingenieure/

productionofcobwalls

SITEplan Groundfloorplan….COBwalls

Firstfloorplan….wattle&daubwall

RAMMEDEARTH|RE|technique….

‣Thisrammingofsoilormudtechniqueismostly usedbyallsinceancienttimes&many developingregionscontinuetofollowthe traditionalrammedearthtechniques.

‣Forbothecological&economicreasons, mechanizedrammedearthispreferredover conventionalmasonryinmanyplaces.

‣REprovidesamuchlessershrinkageratio& higherstrengththanotherwetearthtechniques &thushasalongerlifespanthanadobe masonry.

Thetechnicaleffectsoframmedearthinclude;

1.Typeofmix&proportion|soildependent|

2.Typesoframmers&numberofstrokesofeach rammertype

3.Typesofformwork

4.Typeofqualityorfinishrequired

5.Qualityofsoil

6.Length&heightoftherammedearth

rammedearthsectionofthegreatwallofChina

TheformworkinREconstructionis usedasthetemporarysupportduring soilcompaction…..unlikeconcrete formwork,theREformworkcanbe removedimmediatelyafter compaction,enablingmuchfaster reuse(Easton,1996).

differenttypesofREformworks

CASEEXAMPLE…..RAMMEDEARTH|RE|technique….|netcasestudy|…3

SECMOLSchoolInLehIsEpitomeOfcontemporaryRammedEarth&PassiveSolar Architecture…

LOCATION:thecampusfortheStudents'EducationalandCulturalMovementofLadakh (SECMOL)islocatednearthevillageofPheyintheIndusvalleyabout18kmfromLehandatan altitudeof3500m.

CLIMATE:colddesertclimatewithtemperaturevariationfrom20°Cinsummerto-30°Cinwinter &islikelytohave300sunnydaysonaverage…peryear.

BUILDINGTYPE:alternativestudentcampus|SECMOL|

EARTHCONSTRUCTIONTECHNIQUE:rammedearth|RE|

CONSTRUCTIONYEAR:1994–1998withabuilt-upareaof 610sq.m.|alternativeLadakhischool|, designedbySonamWangchuk&RamonMagsaysay….

Thereareseveraltypesofformworks&theselectionof theappropriatetypeofmoldingsystemforeach applicationinREisimportant&whilemakingthechoice offormwork,thesegeneralcriteriashouldbefollowed;

1.Strength

2.Stiffness

3.Durability

4.Adaptability

5.Easeofhandling

6.Easeofalignment

7.EaseofcompactiondirectionofmovementofREformworkvertically

methodsoframming

RE-foundation:



TheREwallsaretypicallybuiltonshallowstrip footingsorstiffenedgroundslabs&thewallsare generallybuiltonraisedplinths.

Thedampproofing–150mmaboveG.L.shouldbe abletowithstandtheimpactofcompactions& shrinkagewithoutanydamage.

Footingsareconcrete.

Thegroundimmediatelyadjacenttothebaseofthe rammedearthwallshouldbewelldrained& footingsprotectedfromwaterinfiltration.

Thepassivedesignstrategiesthatkeepthebuildingwarminwinter:

a.windowhasbeenprovidedonthesouthsideasthesunmoveslowinthesouthernskyinwinterandkeepsthe buildingwarm.

b.Greenhousesareattachedtothesouthsidefortrappingtheheatofthesun.Inwinter,hugeplasticsheetsarerolled downtomakeabiggreenhousethatworksasasolarcollector.Inthesummer,theplasticsheetsarerolledupto preventoverheating.

c.Skylightsarecoveredwithglassorclearplastictokeepwarmairindoors.

d.Thickearthenwallsandfloorshelpinstoringcollectedheat.

e.Insulationhasbeenprovidedintheroof,outerwalls,andinsomeplacesunderthefloor.

f.Naturallightinghasbeenprovidedinabundancesoelectricityisnotneededforlightinthedaytime.

g.Roofisinsulatedwithwoodwastegeneratedduringtheconstructiontostopheatlossthroughit.

•Thethickrammedearthwallsoftheschoolbuildingkeepitwarminwinterandcoolinsummer.

•Thebuildingisorientedtofacesouthwithitsmainfacadehavinglargefenestrationonthissun-facingside.Thiskeepsthe buildingwarminwinter–passivesolarheating.

•Thesuccessofthebuildingcanbegaugedfromthefactthatwhentheoutsidetemperatureis-25°Cinwintertheinside temperatureremains+14°C.

SOURCE:https://worldarchitecture.org/articlelinks/epefn/terraawarded_secmol_school_in_leh_is_epitome_of_rammed_earth_passive_solar_architecture.html

HAUSRATH–amudskyscraperof6floorsinGermany

thewooden&metalrammersthepneumaticrammer

Thetwo-storiedrammedearthschoolbuildinginLehwiththesouthsideglazing….

TheconstructionphaseoftheSECMOLschoolinLeh….

Thetypicalplanoftheschoolbuildinggainingtheheatthroughthesouthsideglazing….

Thesouthfaçadeoftheschool….

THEMODERNTECHNOLOGYINEARTHEN CONSTRUCTION:

•Thesoil,raworstabilized,foracompressed earthblock(CEB)isslightlymoistened,poured intoasteelpress(withorwithoutstabilizer), andthencompressedeitherwithamanualor motorizedpress.

•CEBcanbecompressedinmanydifferent shapesandsizes.Forexample,theAuram press3000proposes17typesofblocks.

•Compressedearthblockscanbestabilizedor not,Butmostofthetime,theyarestabilized withcementorlime.Therefore,weprefertoday tocallthemCompressedStabilisedEarthBlocks (CSEB).

CSEBisenvironmentfriendlyas;

•Nofiringisrequired,butonlycuring(4weeks or28daysapprox.withcement stabilization).

•Lesstransportationisrequiredandproduction ismanual.

•CSEB7.9timeslessenergythanthecountryfriedbricks&3.9timeslessenergythanthe kiln-firedbricksontheIndianaverage.

•Noteverysoilissuitableforearthconstruction andCSEBinparticular.Butwithsomeknowledge andexperience,manysoilscanbeusedfor producingCSEB.

•Topsoilandorganicsoilsmustnotbeused.

•Identifyingthepropertiesofsoilisessentialto perform,intheend,goodqualityproducts, Somesimplesensitiveanalysescanbeperformed afterashorttraining.

•Cementstabilizationwillbebetterforsandysoils &Limestabilizationwillbebettersuitedfor clayeysoils.

CASEEXAMPLE-COMPRESSEDSTBILIZEDEARTHBLOCKS

ThemakingofCSEBblocks….Onsite

|CSEB|technique….|livecasestudy|….4

VikasCommunity…

LOCATION:Auroville,TamilNadu,India

CLIMATE:tropicalwarm–humidzone

BUILDINGTYPE:apartment|residential|

EARTHCONSTRUCTIONTECHNIQUE:CompressedStabilizedEarthBlock|CSEB|

CONSTRUCTIONYEAR:1992–1998withthebuilt–upareaof1448sq.m.of23 apartments,projectbySatpremMaini,AurovilleEarthInstitute…..

Structuralmaterial:loadbearingmasonrywithstabilizedrammedearthfoundation&Compressed StabilizedEarthBlock

Foundation:Stabilizedrammedearth(5%stabilization)

Walls:CSEB(5%stabilization)

Flooring:CSEB,terracottaorceramictiles

SustainabilityandenvironmentalfriendlinessofCSEB

Finishing:limestabilizedearthplasters(selectedwalls)

Roofing:CSEBvaultingwithwaterproofing&ferrocementchannelsincludedthecompositeCSEBring–beams,lintels&columns

SOURCE:http://appymango.blogspot.com/2012/10/stablized-mud-blocks.html

SoilsuitabilityandstabilizationforCSEB

Energyeffectiveness

Ventilationsystemthroughthevaultedstructures towardsthesolarchimney…

Percolationsystemofthethirdbuilding….

Vikascommunitylayout–1448m²carpetarea–23apartments andcollectivekitchenfor50people…

Theprojectwasbuiltinthreephases:

1.thefirstwastobuildthecollective kitchenandablockoffourapartments,

2.thesecondphasewasforablockofsix apartmentsand

Commonkitchenfor50 people

Excavationofthebasementfloor ofthethirdbuilding

3.thethirdphasecomprisedablockof thirteenapartmentsonfourfloorsplus someindividualhouses…

Reservoirandwindpump

Excavationofthebasementfloor–1.2mbelowgroundlevel

Firstblockof4apartments

13apartmentson4floors (3floorsaboveabasementfloor)

Watertanktowerwithstaircase

Viewonthirdbuilding

1.Siteintegration

2.Naturallighting

3.Waterefficiency

4.Passiveheating& cooling

5.Energyefficient system

SOURCE:https://www.tropicalbuildings.org/case_studies/65 https://www.cseindia.org/vikas-community-3656 https://www.earth-auroville.com/vikas_community_en.php1

Thirdbuildingon4floors

CASEEXAMPLE–SUPERADOBE/earthbagtechnique….|netcasestudy|…5

AVANIChildren’searthdome

LOCATION:RuralfarmlandinKolhapur,India

CLIMATE:coastal&inlandclimate|summersarecooler&humid|

BUILDINGTYPE:housesfortherescueofchildlabors

EARTHCONSTRUCTIONTECHNIQUE:earthbagconstruction

|superadobe|

CONSTRUCTIONYEAR:initiatedbyGWEIandAVANI

(2012–2013)thefirsttwoofupto16earthdomestakeshape ona5-acreplotofruralfarmland…

CASEEXAMPLE–EARTHSHIP/tyrerammingtechnique….|netcasestudy|….6

EARTHSHIPKARUNA,HOUSE

LOCATION:karunafarms,Kodaikanal,India

CLIMATE:subtropical|cold|climate

BUILDINGTYPE:farmhouseprototype

EARTHCONSTRUCTIONTECHNIQUE:Earthship,hutmodule

CONSTRUCTIONYEAR:inspiredbyMikeReynolds,AlexLeeorbuilt initiatedaprototypeinIndiabetween2009-2012

Inthishutmodule,thewaterisheatedbysolarcollectors& storedinsuperinsulatedtanks.Onregulardays,waterispiped inataround70degreesandistheperfectsourceforahotbath atzerocost.UnliketheotherEarthshipsinforeignzones,thishut lookslikearoofofIndianMangaloretiles&mud-plastered exteriorwithaluxuriousinterior.BritisharchitectAlexLeeor,a highlysustainablehousingstyleisthefirstofitskindinmainland India.Thehousehasagutteringsystemthatcanharvest&can storeover30klitersofrainwater.

•Thesuperadobetechniqueofsustainableconstructionhasbeenaround forhundredsofyears.Themethodhasbeenrefinedthroughoutthepast 40yearstoutilizesimplifiedassemblysonon-architectsandnonengineerscanbuildtheirdomesandwasinitiatedbythearchitectNader Khaliliwhodevisedarevolutionarybuildingsystemthatintegrates traditionaleartharchitecturewithcontemporaryglobalsafetyrequirements, andpassessevereearthquakecodetests.

•Theinnerdiameterofthedomemayrangebetween3.5mand5.0m.In earthbagorsuperadobeconstruction,itispossibletoconnectseveral domestodividetheinnerspaces.

•Thestructuraldesignusesmodernengineeringconceptslikebaseisolation andpost-tensioning.Thelongcoilsofthesandbagprovidecompression (vertical)strength.Whilethebarbedwireaddstensile(horizontal) strength.Inaddition,thesandbagsaddfloodresistance.Theearthitself providesinsulationandfire-proofing.

Theskylightdiameterinthedome&themudplasteringoftheexteriorsurface

SOURCE:https://www.catalysthouse.net/gandhi-for-children-earthdome-development-update/ https://www.calearth.org/learn

TheexteriorconstructionprocessoftheEarthshiptakesthehutmodulebyrammingthetyres withthelayersofdug-outsoil

SOURCE:https://www.earthshipkaruna.net/index.html

PlanofAVANIeco-dome

TypicalsectionoftheAVANIeco-dome

Theoverallprocessinvolvedinconstructingtheeco–domes withthepolybagsofungradedsoil

Theoverallviewofthesuperadobeeco–domes withtheventilationtubes

PlanofKRUNAhutmodule earthship

Theroofplanwithcentral opening

Earth rammed tyre

Metallathsupport

Wooden truss

Theramming&stackingtechniquesofthetyreswithmud

Theinteriorsofmudplasterfinishleavingitanaturallook

Materialsused…

TheembodiedLCAofthestructuralmaterials,indicatethattheenvironmental impactsofthe6externalwallassembliesvaryconsiderablyandshowthe environmentalurgencyofearthenconstructionasthesolutionfortheissuesof energydemand,globalwarming,airacidification&humanhealth–airparticulate |Qualityoflife|

Multi-criterionTableofevaluationonsustainabilityissues|conventionalvs earthenstructures|

SystemboundariesofthedevelopedearthenbuildingLCI|lifecycleinventory|

Environmentalimpactscomparisonoverviewforeachwallsystem,perm2wall

Theearthbuildingmaterial&techniquecomparisonbasedontheir compressivestrength&shearstrength

SOURCE:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228354680_Earth_Building_Models_Technical_Aspects_Tests_And_Environmental_Evaluation https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0950061814002566

Thecomparisonbetweentheearthbuildingtechniques|RE|&conventionalbuilding techniques,theirbetterperformancesonthebasisofthermalconductivity,tensile, compressive&shearstrength|BUILDINGPHYSICS|

Thecostoftheearthenmaterialservestheconstant,betterphysicalquality&quantitywhencomparedtothe variedcostsystemofdifferentkindsofbricksthatareeitherfiredorconventionalpersq.Feetofthebuilt-up space.Thusprovidingthesolutionofone-timeinvestmentoveritsbuildinglifespanbychoosingthemostcosteffectiveoraffordablechoiceforthepublic&fortheenvironment

TACKLINGTHEISSUES&CHALLENGESINEARTHENARCHITECTURE

DISCUSSION&CONCLUSION…

Thedissertationon“CONTEMPORIZINGEARTHENARCHITECTURE”isdiscussed&presented basedonthepotentialoftheearthenbuildingmaterials&theirinnovationinconstruction techniques.

Howeverthestudyisbasedonthecurrentcontextinthedesignfield,alongwithmergingthe revivalofthematerial,itsimportanttoknowtheirbuildingpermitsaccordingtothevaried regionsforglobalacceptancesothatthepubliccanbetterbeabletounderstandthe significanceofthematerialinthemainstreamoftheconstructionindustry.

INTERIORVIEWSOFTHEEARTHENSTRUCTURESDESIGNEDATBANGALORE

Earthconstructiontechniquesareknownfortheirnatural finisheswiththetonesofearthyshades,butrarelywork outwellintheinteriorsofafewgeographiclocations, thosewhichhavewarmhumid&temperatezones,insuch casestoimprovetheirluxlevels,optimumdesignofthe openings&thesunshadesaretobeused&the lightweightstructureslikefillerslabsarerecommended fortheroofs&slabsinbetweentoreducetheoverall loadofthestructure.

SOURCE:https://www.archdaily.com/956854/round-houses-of-raw-earth-3dprinting-sustainable-homes-in-200-hours

Theearthenbuildingsnowadaysarenotonlylimitedto residentialorindividualdesignbutarebecoming&havealso beengreatexamplesforthedifferentbuildingtypologiesto happenintheextremegeographiclocationsofboththeurban &ruralareas.

Therecent&emergingtrendof3-Dprintedearthen architecturetakesitsnamefromacombinationofthe wordsTechnologyandClayandseekstomaximizethe traditionalyieldofrawearththroughdigitalfabrication.

"eachprintingunithasaprintingareaof50squaremeters, makingitpossibletobuildindependentlivingmodulesofany shapeandinafewdays".

"aparadigmshiftinthefieldofarchitecture,meetingthe needsofpeopleandfindingananswerforthe'Earth'within the'earth'.

Despitetheirlotofadvantages&technicaladvancements,stillisnotbeenimplementedbroadly intheconstructionmainstream&alsobeenrejectedinlarge-scaleurban-levelprojects,beit particularlow-costresidentialprototypesorthecommunitythatcompletelyfocusesonthegoals ofsustainability&affordability,evenseveralprojectsoftheschools&otherinstitutional buildings,mightprobablybeevidentinpublicgatheringbuildingstoo,allthesetypologies amidsttheurbanregioncanbeperfectfortheexpertstospreadtheknowledgeontherevival orreinventionoftheearthbasedconstructiontechniquestothepublic.

Asthestudyalsospeaksaboutthequalityoflife&choicebasedlivinginsidetheearthen buildingwhereitmaintainsacomfortabletemperaturetacklestheexternalharshweather factorsingeographicalextremes&isadisaster-proofstructure,alsomaintainshealthyindoor environmentalquality&hasalowerenvironmentalimpactprovingthematerialandtechniquein thecirculareconomy.

Thestudyalsohasaclearanalysisandfindingsbasedonthedifferenttechniques,styles& geographicextremecasestudies,wherewecantrace&findoutwhichsuitsthebestto implementintheprojecttypologiesinthemainstreamindustry.Alsohasbettercomparisonresults withtheirvariedconstructiontechniques&withtheotherconventionaltechniques.

Thestudyalsoconcludeswithabriefunderstandingofthetacklingissues&challengesonthe earthenstructures&theirfuturephaseshifton3Dprintedearthenstructures.Thuswhenthereis materialbeneaththefeetwithalotofpotentialsthatservesboththeenvironment& humankind…let’sjustRETHINKandact.

Plastiqueisawater-basedsiliconeadmixturedesigned tobeaddedtotheearthmixduringconstruction

Theskillset,knowledge&jobopportunitiesforthe localswithproperexperttraining

INTERIORVIEWSOFTHEEARTHENSTRUCTURESDESIGNEDAT AUROVILLE–theEARTHINSTITUTE