RAMMED EARTH TIRE PACKING PROCESS DESIGN

DEREK SCHROEN BRADEN PIERCE RYAN GRYBA

https://redoubtreporter.wordpress.com/2010/04/28/house-fire-kindles-desire-for-recycled-eco-friendly-home/

Earthship Overview

http://newsfrombrighton.co.uk/brighton-property-news/brightons-eco-houses-to-open-their-doors-to-the-public/

http://spanners-in-the-works.blogspot.com/2008/05/tales-from-north-coast.html

http://www.adamtglass.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/question2-724662.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXws6X7rEsI

Current Methods Innovative Solution

Project Objectives

Portable, Lightweight

Drastically reduce manual labour

Reduce Cycle time

Consistent packing density

Cost Effective

Concept Evolution

Small Scale Testing

Test 1 - Current Method Test 2 – Sidewall Removal

Test 3 – Packing Methods Test 4 – Raised Sidewall

Process Design

Two primary designs selected for packing a tire:

Lateral Packing Device

Vertical Tamping Device

Difficult to pack under sidewall

Four bar linkage was designed to give access to sidewall region

The devices are to be used together in a 2-stage process.

Hydraulic Lateral Packer Ergonomic design integrating many “off the shelf”

components

Components: Double acting cylinder, for directional control

Top and Bottom plates

Handle fixed to the cylinder to facilitate ease of use

Hydraulic Control Valve on Handle for actuation of piston

Process: 1. Soil placed in sidewall region

2. Assembly placed in tire center using handle fixture

3. Piston extended to pack soil using Hydraulic Control Valve

4. Piston retracted using Hydraulic Control Valve

5. Assembly rotated in 45 degree increments to pack soil

6. Process repeated until sidewall region is fully packed

Handle Hydraulic Control Valve

Before After

Vertical Tamper Selection

• Sullair MTB-6 pneumatic backfill tamper

• Used to pack center tire region with vertical vibration

• Delivers 500 blows per minute at 32 CFM

• Light weight design, total weight < 25 [kg]

• Total height of 4 ft for operator compatibility

• Low cost

Handle

Packing Plate

Direction of Vibration

Air Valve

http://www.sullair.com/Files/Sullair/Global/US-en/construction/mbt_20080821.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A3IKF2C1b8

Sidewall Lifting Mechanism

Features: Simple, 4-Bar Clamping Mechanism

Accommodates a full range of tire sizes and profiles

Increases accessibility to tire interior

Secures tire position on wall during packing

Process:

1. Make adjustment for tire profile and width

2. Attach Bead Hook to underside of tire upper sidewall

3. Swing handle down, lock in place

4. Repeat on other side of tire

Rammed Earth Tire Packing

Designed Process

1. Fill and pack the sidewall region of the tire using the Hydraulic Lateral Packer

2. Deploy 2 Raised Sidewall Fixtures on opposite sides of the tire.

3. Pack central region of tire with the Pneumatic Backfill Tamper.

Project Summary

Advantages / Drawbacks

Drastic reduction in labour input

No time savings projected, more consistent cycle time

Cost

Components total ~$1600

Schedule

Project Final Report delivered to client December 6, 2010

Project Recommendations

Prototype the Hydraulic Cylinder Assembly and Raised Sidewall Fixture Acquire a Sullair MT-6 Backfill Tamper Conduct further testing to validate design performance Build a Rammed Earth Tire Structure

Questions?