core ^fc/^oii/sl/os
TRANSCRIPT
^fc/^OII/sl/oS
"Eco - Sensitive Earth Architecture"
Re - Utilization of Earth in the Context of Modern Technology;
With Special Reference to Earth Walls.
Submitted to the Department of Architecture of the
University of Moratuwa in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of
Master of Science
in
=i. LIBRARY IsUllVEBSITY Of MUHArUWa,§iitlt̂
MORATUWA
A dissertation
Architecture 7 2 ^ 0 3
V . Hasitha Gunasekera
2na Jan. 2003
7 9 0 2 1 14 (A THESIS
11
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Provided by Digital Repository, University of Moratuwa
A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t
1 w o u l d l i k e t o f o r w a r d m y spec ia l t h a n k s t o the f o l l o w i n g sen io r lec tu res at
t he U n i v e r s i t y o f M o r a t u w a f o r d e v o t i n g t h e i r p rec ious t i m e i n g i v i n g m e a d v i c e ,
g u i d a n c e a n d ass is tance, w h i c h f o r c e d m e t o f o r m u l a t e th i s d i sse r ta t i on .
P ro fessor N i m a l de S i l v a ,
A r c h i t e c t C r i ss de S a r a m ,
A r c h i t e c t D r . S a m i t h a M a n a w a d u ,
A r c h i t e c t D r . R. E m m a n u e l ,
A r c h i t e c t Prasanna K u l a t h i l a k e ,
I w o u l d a lso l i k e t o e x t e n d m y s ince re t h a n k s t o A r c h i t e c t V . N . C . G u n a s e k e r a ,
A r c h i t e c t M u r a d I s m a i l , D r . A s h o k Perera , D r . M i s . H e r a t h f o r t h e i r c o n t i n u e s
g u i d a n c e a n d i n t e res t i ng c o m m e n t s w h i c h d i r e c t e d m e f o r m a n y aspects o f t h i s s tudy .
V e r y spec ia l t h a n k s to S u r a n g a f o r the v a l u a b l e t i m e d e d i c a t e d t o m e f o r the
p r e s e n t a t i o n , a n d a lso m y hear t f e l t g r a t i t u d e ' s t o m y m o t h e r an t o m y b r o t h e r N a l i n
f o r t he ass is tance g i v e n i n p r o d u c i n g th i s essay.
F i n a l l y , v e r y spec ia l t hanks to m y m o t h e r i n g _ l o w f o r t he v a l u a b l e t i m e
d e d i c a t e d t o m e f o r the p rac t i ca l e x p e r i m e n t s t o b e c o m e success, a n d a lso m y hear t
f e l t g r a t i t u d e ' s to m y f a t h e r i n g l o w an t o m y b r o t h e r i n g l o w f o r the ass is tance g i v e n i n
p r o d u c i n g th i s d i sse r ta t i on .
iv
3
Page
Acknowledgment iv
Contents v
List of Illustrations vii
Abstract x
^ Introduction 01
Topic explanation 01
Scope of study 02
Justification 03
Method of study 04
C H A P T E R O N E
1.0 Historical Overview And Technical Background Of Earth Buildings 05
1.1 Historical Background Of Earth Architecture 06
* 1.2 Earth Wall Construction Methods 12
1.2.1 Wattle And Daub / Cob On Posts 13
1.2.2 Infill Between Temporary Or Permanent Form Work 14
1.2.3 Direct Moulding 14
1.2.4 Adobe - Mud Bricks - Mordegal 16
1.2.5 Earth Bags 17
1.2.6 Rammed Earth Walls - Thappabami 18
1.3 Soil Characteristics And Suitability Testing 19
1.3.1 Soil Composition 19
1.3.2 Laterites 20
* 1.3.3 Soil testing methods 20
1.3.4 Soil stabilization method 22
1.3.5 Usability and quality testing 22
1.4 Mud plasters 25
v
T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Characteristics Of Modern Earthen Buildings And Their 26
Contribution To Human Comfort
2.1 T r a d i t i o n a l F o r m s O f E a r t h A r c h i t e c t u r e 27
2.2 I m p a c t O f M o d e r n T e c h n o l o g y In Ea r t h A r c h i t e c t u r e 30
2.2.1 S o i l S t a b i l i z a t i o n 3 0
2.2.2 C h e m i c a l T r e a t m e n t 32
2.2.3 C o m p r e s s e d E a r t h B l o c k s 33
2.2.4 M o d e r n R a m m e d Ea r t h W a l l s - Pise 3 6
2.2.5 F i r e d Ea r t h B u i l d i n g s 4 0
2.3 Ea r t h W a l l F in ishes 42
2.3.1 P r e l i m i n a r y C o n s i d e r a t i o n s 4 2
2.3.2 Su r face P r o t e c t i o n 45
2.3.3 E a r t h e n R e n d e r i n g s A n d Plasters 4 8
2.3 .4 Paints And Sealers 51
2.4 C l i m a t i c P e r f o n n a n c e A n d Phys i ca l C o m f o r t 54
2.5 P s y c h o l o g i c a l C o m f o r t A n d L i v i n g C o n d i t i o n s 6 0
2.6 E n v i r o n m e n t a l I m p a c t A n d O t h e r B e n e f i t s 6 7
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Experimental Examination Of The Potentials Of Modern 70
Earthen Architecture.
3.1 Tensile Strength Test / Bending Strength 71
3.2 Drip Test 72
3.3 Earth Plasters On Cement Block Walls 73
3.4 Comparison Between Rammed Earth And Adobe Systems. 74
3.5 Comparison Of Out Door And Indoor Air Temperature Fluctuations. 76
CHAPTER FOUR :
Examination Of The Eco - Sensitivity Of Modern Earthen Architecture
And Its Sustainability. 80
# Conclution 83
# Bibliography 85
vi
List O f I l lustrat ions
F ig . -Page
01 A n i m p r e s s i v e A n a s a z i C l i f f Pa lace i n C o l o r a d o . 01
02 T h e m o d e r n Pueb los C l i f f c i t i es a n d the A c o m a " S k y C i t y " . 01
03 T h e c i t y o f S h i b a m , S o u t h Y e m e n , - " M a n h a t t a n o f the Dese r t " . 0 7
0 4 T h e S a n k o r e M o s q u e o f T i m b u k t u , A f r i c a . 0 7
05 T h e m o s q u e o f D j e n n e . 0 8
0 6 O n t he r o o f o f the K o t a k a M o s q u e . 0 8
0 7 T h e b e a u t i f u l Span i sh c o l o n i a l c h u r c h o f San Jose. 0 8
0 8 T h i s anc ien t f r i eze s h o w s E g y p t i a n s A d o b e b r i c k s . 0 9
0 9 T h e Grea t W a l l , r a m m e d - e a r t h sec t i on . 0 9
10 T h r e e - s t o r y , m u l t i - f a m i l y c i r c u l a r r a m m e d ear th h o u s i n g c o m p l e x . 10
11 M o n k s , fo res t d w e l l i n g , M a g u l m a h a V i h a r a - y a l a , Sr i L a n k a . 10
12 T w o t y p i c a l r u ra l v i l l e g e houses i n Sr i L a n k a 11
13 E a r t h c o n s t r u c t i o n a l l o v e r the w o r l d . 11
14 D i a g r a m a t i c rep resen ta t i on o f ear th w a l l c o n s t r u c t i o n m e t h o d s . 12
15 W a t t l e & daub pane ls w i t h l o a d b e a r i n g posts. 13
16 C i r c u l a r hu ts m a d e o f a w a t t l e f r a m e w o r k , Coas ta l T i h a m a h . 13
17 W a l l are b u i l t o f h a n d - m o l d e d m u d courses , B u r k i n a Faso 15
18 T h i c k M o l d e d W a l l s . 15
19 A d o b e p r e p a r a t i o n i n y e m e n . 16
2 0 Ea r t h b a g c o n s t r u c t i o n . 17
21 B u i l d e r s t a m p m u d i n t o a w o o d e n c o f f e r t o f o r m a large w a l l . 18
22 C o n v e n t i o n a l t a m p s a n d Post & T i e f o r m w o r k sys tem. 18
23 R e d c o l o u r La te r i t e s o i l , w h i c h is m a i n l y f o u n d i n the t r o p i c s 2 0
24 C o m p r e s s i o n t e s t i n g u s i n g a l eve r sys tem 2 2
25 T e s t i n g f o r the m o d u l u s o f r u p t u r e 23
26 T e s t i n g f o r the w a t e r e ros ion . 23
2 7 R e v i s e d " S p r a y " Tes t A p p a r a t u s . 2 4
28 T a m p e r e d - e a r t h w a l l b u i l d i n g t e c h n i q u e , O l d C h u r c h at Pueb lo . 2 7
2 9 Pueb lo B o n i t o , ea r l y s o t h — l a t e n t h cen tu ry . M u l t i s t o r i e d p u e b l o . 2 7
30 C l a y - c o v e r e d hu ts . 2 8
VII
31 C l a y granaries and, houses. L a b b e z a n g a , Mali. 2 8
32 Sr i L a n k a n r i ce s torage b ins . 2 9
33 S i m p l e w a t t l e a n d d a u b houses i n A r a n t h a l a w a , Sr i L a n k a 2 9
34 S i m p l e t w o story w a t t l e a n d d a u b hpuses i n K a t h m a n d u , I n d i a 2 9
35 A t t e r b e r g L i m i t s 3 0
3 6 T h e C i n v a - R a m f o r m a k i n g c o m p a c t e d ear th b l o c k s 3 4
3 7 H y d r a u l i c Presses 3 4
38 G r i n d i n g & P u l v e r i z a t i o n 35
39 S c r e e n i n g 35
4 0 I m p a c t r a m m i n g - P n e u m a t i c r a m m e r s and P i c k h a m m e r s 3 6
41 V i b r a t i o n r a m m i n g - V i b r a t i n g p la tes a n d V i b r a t i n g r a m m e r s 3 6
42 Steel rebar is used t o r e i n f o r c e w a l l s 3 7
4 3 P n e u m a t i c a l l y I m p a c t e d Ea r th W a l l s ys tem. 3 7
4 4 O n e a p p r o a c h t o f o r m i n g , l o n g runs o f w a l l 38
45 T h e R E W s y s t e m , a l l o w i n g the r a m m e r s to w o r k i ns ide the f o r m . 3 8
4 6 Ea r t h w a l l s a f te r the b o n d b e a m has p o u r e d . 39
4 7 F i r i n g an ea r then b u i l d i n g w i t h burners . 4 0
g. 4 8 Resu l t o f a f i r e d ear th d o m e - " C e r a m i c s t r u c t u r e s " t e c h n i q u e . 4 2
4 9 R i s i n g D a m p - B a d d e s i g n 43
50 R i s i n g D a m p - G o o d des ign 43
51 P r o t e c t i o n by p o i s o n 4 4
52 Su r face P r o t e c t i o n Sys tem - C l a d d i n g a n d I n l a y 45
53 Su r face P r o t e c t i o n S y s t e m - W e a t h e r boa rds a n d I m p r e g n a t i o n 45
54 Su r face P r o t e c t i o n Sys tem - I n teg ra ted f a c i n g a n d T w i n layers 4 6
55 Su r face P r o t e c t i o n Sys tem - Su r face t r ea tmen t a n d Pa in t 4 7
56 Su r face P r o t e c t i o n Sys tem - F a c i n g a n d R e n d e r i n g s 4 7
57 C o l o u r a p p l i e d on t h i c k m o l d e d ear th w a l l s i n M o r o c c o 52
t | 58 E a r t h s lu r r ies are a p p l i e d i n the c o u r t y a r d w a l l s , L i g h t H o u s e H o t e l . 53
59 Hea t f l o w t h r o u g h an ex te rna l w a l l . 55
6 0 E x p e r i m e n t d o n e i n C a i r o B u i l d i n g Research Cen t re . 5 7
61 C o m p a r i s o n o f i n d o o r a n d o u t d o o r a i r - t e m p e r a t u r e f l u c t u a t i o n s w i t h i n 58
a 24 - h o u r p e r i o d f o r the p r e f a b r i c a t e d conc re te test m o d e l .
62 C o m p a r i s o n o f i n d o o r a n d o u t d o o r a i r - t e m p e r a t u r e f l u c t u a t i o n s w i t h i n 58
a 24 - h o u r p e r i o d f o r the m u d - b r i c k v a u l t - a n d - d o m e test m o d e l .
v i i i
Expresses incomparable quality of light emitted by the wall at night.
Earth walls are lit by sun rays.
Earth colour and its quality of light creates a warm welcome.
Earth wall with shaded yellow colour blends with the kitchen.
Texture creates calm and coolness in the resting room.
Earth architecture creates a new special experience to the society.
Stabilized earth walls create glamour of colours, shades and lights
Rammed earth rural retreat just north of Perth built by Ramtc.
Rammed earth modern design at Western Australia.
Gilgandra Cultural Centre in central N e w South Wales setting.
Most practical way of measuring tensile strength.
Most simple way of measuring strength of a adobe
Water drips made to fall continuously on to the sample
Chicken wire mesh is attached to the cement block wall
Plaster on cement block wall.
Shuttering for rammed earth and ramming.
Finished rammed earth wall after shuttering is removed.
Adobe laying process.
Adobe wall before plastering.
Different Shades are created with mud paint.
Comparison of indoor and outdoor air-temperature fluctuations within
a 24- hour period for the Stabilized Earth Wall test model.
Comparison of indoor and outdoor air-temperature fluctuations within
a 24- hour period for the Normal Brick Wall test model.
Comparison of indoor and outdoor air-temperature fluctuations within
a 24- hour period for the Cement Block Wall test model.
Comparison of indoor and outdoor air-temperature fluctuations within
a 24- hour period for all three test model.
A b s t r a c t
E v e r y aspect o f o u r l i f e is l i k e l y t o be a f f e c t e d by the b u i l t e n v i r o n m e n t , a n d
t he re fo re the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f the a rch i t ec t is heavy . Inc reased d e m a n d in the face o f
sca rc i t y is c e r t a i n l y re l evan t i n the present g l o b a l con tex t . In recent years t he fear o f
an ene rgy c r i s i s a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l p o l l u t i o n c a m e i n t o the sharp f o c u s f o r the first
t i m e in h u m a n h i s to ry . T h e e n v i r o n m e n t a l c r i s i s c u r r e n t l y a th rea t t o h u m a n i t y is
d i r e c t l y l i n k e d to t e c h n o l o g i c a l d e v e l o p m e n t s . T h i s h i g h t e c h n o l o g y is n o t a m a g i c
tha t w a s o n c e b e l i e v e d t o b e ; i t canno t so lve a l l t he p r o b l e m s o f the h u m a n race. In V
f ac t , i n m a n y w a y s i t has t u r n e d back o n i t s e l f a n d is t h r e a t e n i n g the ex i s tence o f the
h u m a n race.
H e n c e , the a t t e m p t o f th i s d i sse r ta t i on is m a i n l y t o e x a m i n e a su i t ab le m a t e r i a l
t o be used i n Sr i L a n k a n c o n t e x t . O n th i s r ega rd Ea r th has p r o v e n t o be v e r y
success fu l o v e r the cen tu r ies . W i t h the cu r ren t t r e n d o f m o d e r n i s m , Ea r th needed to
be r e - u t i l i z e d w i t h t he m o d e r n t e c h n o l o g y . T h e r e f o r e th i s s tudy is d i v i d e d i n t o f o u r
m a i n sec t ions .
T h e first sec t ion expresses p i c t o r i a l h i s t o r y o f ea r th a rch i t ec tu re b o t h l o c a l l y
a n d overseas. E v e n t h o u g h t h e y are n o t i n a c h r o n o l o g i c a l a r r a n g e m e n t i t w i l l d iscuss
abou t ear th a r ch i t ec tu re a r o u n d the w o r l d a n d i ts g l o r y . Fu r the r m o r e i t e x a m i n e s the
h i s t o r i c a l m e t h o d s o f ear th c o n s t r u c t i o n , so i l charac te r i s t i cs a n d t h e i r s u i t a b i l i t y f o r
sus ta inab le d e v e l o p m e n t .
T h e second sec t i on revea ls the t r a d i t i o n a l f o r m s o f ea r th a rch i t ec tu re a n d
i m p a c t o f m o d e r n t e c h n o l o g y o n ea r th c o n s t r u c t i o n . Fu r the r , i t e x a m i n e s the degree o f
p h y s i c a l a n d p s y c h o l o g i c a l c o m f o r t s . A n d a lso th i s chap te r w i l l l o o k i n t o o the r
b e n e f i t s such as f i r e res is tance, E n v i r o n m e n t a l i m p a c t , A c o u s t i c s , etc.
T h e t h i r d Sec t i on m a i n l y based o n ser ies o f tests d o n e o n the s i te. T h e m a i n
o b j e c t i v e w a s t o e x a m i n e the p h y s i c a l p e r f o r m a n c e o f s t a b i l i z e d ear th b u i l d i n g
c o m p o n e n t s a n d t h e i r degree o f e c o - s e n s i t i v i t y a n d sus ta inab i l i t y .
F i n a l l y , chap te r f o u r e x a m i n e s the e c o - s e n s i t i v i t y a n d sus ta i nab i l i t y o f ea r then
a rch i tec tu re . T h i s chap te r is a c o m p a r i s o n b e t w e e n m o d e r n ear th a r ch i t ec tu re and
c u r r e n t t r e n d o f a r ch i t ec tu ra l p rac t i ce .
x
Introduction
Introduction
" E c o - Sens i t i ve Ea r t h A r c h i t e c t u r e "
Re - U t i l i z a t i o n O f Ea r t h I n T h e C o n t e x t O f M o d e r n T e c h n o l o g y ;
W i t h Spec ia l Re fe rence T o Ea r t h W a l l s .
Topic Explanation
S ince a n t i q u i t y , m a n has reac ted to h is e n v i r o n m e n t , u s i n g h i s facu l t i es t o
d e v e l o p t echn iques a n d t e c h n o l o g i e s , w h e t h e r t o bake b r e a d o r m a k e b r i c k , i n such
i n t e rna l p s y c h o l o g i c a l ba l ance w i t h na ture tha t h u m a n i t y h i s t o r i c a l l y l i v e d a t t u n e d to
the e n v i r o n m e n t . M a n ' s c rea t i ons w e r e na tura l w h e n b u i l t o f the m a t e r i a l s o f f e r e d b y
the landscape. A s a resu l t , ea r th has been e v o l v e d as a i m p o r t a n t b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l
o v e r the cen tu r ies .
B u t t h i s v e r y a n t i q u i t y is seen b y s o m e as p r i m i t i v e a n d o u t d a t e d , w i t h the
i n d u s t r i a l r e v o l u t i o n i n 1 9 t h C. W i t h i n f e w decades p e o p l e r ea l i zed , l i v i n g i n conc re te
w a l l s , steel a n d glass cages are e x t r e m e l y d i f f i c u l t due t o scaresness. M o s t o f these
m o d e r n ma te r i a l s are h a r m f u l t o the na tu ra l e n v i r o n m e n t . L o t o f h a r m f u l f u m e is
re leased to the a i r i n the e r e c t i n g process o f b u i l d i n g s . H e n c e , i t causes dange rous
d iseases, damages the o z o n e layer , increases t he g l o b a l t e m p e r a t u r e , etc.
Because o f g l o b a l w a r m i n g a n d d e t e r i o r a t i o n o f the o z o n e l aye r there is a
g r o w i n g need f o r b u i l d i n g serv ices eng ineers a n d o the r re la ted p ro fess ions t o des ign
b u i l d i n g s w h i c h no t o n l y p r o v i d e c o m f o r t f o r t he occupan t s bu t a lso m i n i m i z e the
c o n s u m p t i o n o f f oss i l f u e l s a n d resu l tan t g reenhouse gas e m i s s i o n s , a n d t he
p r o d u c t i o n o f C F C s i n the process o f h e a t i n g a n d c o o l i n g b u i l d i n g s . B u i l d i n g s
c o n t r i b u t e subs tan t i a l l y t o the d e p l e t i o n o f the p lanet 's resources a n d t he r e d u c t i o n o f
e n v i r o n m e n t a l qua l i t y .
O v e r the past severa l decades , n u m e r o u s v e r n a c u l a r b u i l d i n g m e t h o d s have
been i n v e s t i g a t e d a n d , i n some cases, r e v i v e d a n d i m p r o v e d u p o n b y v i s i o n a r y
a rch i tec ts a n d bu i l de rs . These t echn iques are o f t e n g r o u p e d under the labe l " na tu ra l
b u i l d i n g , " i m p l y i n g m a t e r i a l s a n d t echn iques w h i c h are e c o l o g i c a l l y s o u n d , c u l t u r a l l y
sens i t i ve , r e l i an t o n l oca l resources a n d s k i l l s , a n d w h i c h are w i t h i n e c o n o m i c reach
o f t he m i l l i o n s w h o canno t c u r r e n t l y a f f o r d shel ter . ^ ' ~^?>
1
Introduction
Natural building has emerged as a response to an increasing concern for our
built environment. Natural materials can provide an alternative to toxic substances
which have led to widespread environmental illness. Over the centuries, use of earth
as a building material has proven, that it could provide solutions to these complex
problems. The challenge of 2 1 s t century would be to use earth in the construction field
to its potential with the help of new technology, for the sake of mankind.
S c o p e A n d L imi ta t ions O f T h e S t u d y ["What?"]
There are many research dissertations written on Eco-sensitive architecture
and Sri Lankan vernacular Architecture. There fore the intention of this dissertation is
to explore Eco-sensitivity and sustainability of Earth - Architecture rather than
discussing on principles of Eco-sensitive and sustainable architecture. This will ^
mainly focus on the use low-processed forms of earth materials such as adobe and
rammed earth and their degree of sustainability.
On the other hand, its purpose is to examine the potentials of earth to be used
as a new construction material in the context of modern technology and to study the
potential environmental benefits and issues affection its use. Even though architects ^ /
could not invent new technology, it is possible to invent new ways of using modern
technology. Since it takes years to do so, this study will focus on new earth
technologies been used in other countries to achieve buildings of high quality and
durability.
* 2
Introduction
Justification [ " W h y ? " ]
I m a g i n e a m a g i c a l b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l . I t 's cheap , perhaps even f ree . It 's
p l e n t i f u l e v e r y w h e r e , w o r l d w i d e . I t 's s t r o n g e n o u g h to h o l d up under e x t r e m e w e a t h e r
c o n d i t i o n s . It 's i n e x p e n s i v e t o heat a n d c o o l . A n d i t 's so easy t o use that w o r k e r s c a n
lea rn the necessary s k i l l s i n a f e w hou rs .
E A R T H
T h e po ten t i a l f o r b u i l d i n g w i t h ear th is b e c o m i n g greater t han i m a g i n e d . N e e d
f o r an e n v i r o n m e n t a l f r i e n d l y i n t e g r a t e d b i o c l i m a t i c a r ch i t ec tu re is a g l o b a l c o n c e r n .
I m p o r t a n t l y i n the Sr i L a n k a n c o n t e x t , need f o r ene rgy e f f i c i e n t c o m f o r t a b l e b u i l d i n g
is a g r o w i n g necess i ty . Ea r t h is an unp rocessed , w i d e l y a v a i l a b l e b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l
w i t h m i n i m u m s ide e f fec ts assoc ia ted w i t h i ts h a r v e s t i n g o r use. S i n c e an ear th w a l l e d
b u i l d i n g saves c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d energy resources , doesn ' t p o l l u t e , a n d lasts f o r
cen tu r ies . T h e r e f o r e i t is a f i n e i n v e s t m e n t f o r the f u tu re .
Ea r ths are no t a l l t he same ; o n the c o n t r a r y , t h e y d i f f e r w i d e l y e v e n o v e r
c o m p a r a t i v e l y shor t d i s tances , v a r y i n g i n pa r t i c l e s ize , t he i r cons i s tency , t he \y
c h e m i c a l s o r q u a n t i t y o f c l ays present , a n d so f o r t h . T h e r e f o r e the p o t e n t i a l f o r a
r e g i o n a l i d e n t i t y i n t e r m s o f c o l o u r a n d tex tu re is a greater advan tage .
H e n c e , as a rch i tec ts , i t is necessary t o genera te an e n t h u s i a s m t o use
e n v i r o n m e n t a l f r i e n d l y a n d cos t e f f e c t i v e b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l s such as ear th ( m u d ) .
Fu r the r , Sr i L a n k a n ' s t o b e l i e v e i n ear th houses , i t is e x t r e m e l y i m p o r t a n t t o use
m o d e r n t e c h n o l o g y i n ear th c o n s t r u c t i o n t o m e e t m o d e r n d o m e s t i c a rch i t ec tu ra l
d e m a n d .
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M e t h o d O f S t u d y ["How?"]
Introduction
Firstly, the historical background and their earth construction methods will be
studied. Further, first chapter will look into soil identification by their characteristics.
The most suitable soil will be identified and its composition will be studied in this
section.
Secondly, the impact of modern technology in earth architecture will be
studied. The impact of stabilization, chemical treatment, etc. will be studied in order
to identify the degree of suitability to the modern context and the benefits that could
be derived by using stabilized earth systems.
In the experimental section, different types of construction methods will be
tested. Strength and sustainability of stabilized earth blocks will be tested by using on ^
site practically feasible methods. This chapter will further, tries to identify a cost
effective earth plaster system to be used in existing cement block walls.
Finally, chapter four examines the eco-sensitivity and sustainability of earthen
architecture. This chapter is a comparison between modern earth architecture and
current trend of architectural practice. Also, different consequences will be studied^'
under this section.
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