^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

CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk

Provided by Digital Repository, University of Moratuwa

t

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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