Mortar to Repair Rammed-Earth Walls’ Surfaces: Do we still Need it?

Abstract:

A rammed-earth technique has been echoed worldwide due to being conceived not only as an environment-friendly method of construction but also standing as an alternative method to arguably replacing cement. The technique however shows several pitfalls. One concerns the lengthy process of curing upon erecting the rammed-earth walls due to the low process of a chemical reaction occurred throughout the curing stage. A second bias followed from the slow curing and concerns the degradation accentuated at the outer wall’s texture, particularly at the edges, due to effects of the weather cycle. These drawbacks have been observed while accomplishing a funded research project. This article has at its stake remedying the above pitfalls. A natural sandy limestone shows a low percentage of calcium carbonate needed for a cohesive mixture. The method suggested here is based on an experiment that uses minerals of the fruits’ and vegetables’ waste as a binding substance. Curing time in this method has been reduced to the half. It is also suggested here that each stage has its importance, including mixing the soil particles dry and wet, compacting the moistened soil mixture, a well-made formwork and curing, towards remedying the above pitfalls.

• Periodical: Construction Technologies and Architecture (Volume 1)
• Pages: 825-833
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/CTA.1.825
• Online since: January 2022
• Authors: Hazem Abuorf*, Sulaiman Wafi
• Keywords: Dissolved Minerals, Durability, Mechanical Strength, Moisture Content, Rammed Earth

References

[1] Bui QB., Morel J-C., Hans S., Walker P. et al., 2014. Effect of moisture content on the mechanical characteristics of rammed earth. Construction and Building Materials 54, 163-169.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.12.067

[2] Bruno A., Gallipoli W., Perlot C., Mendes J., et al. 2017. Effect of stabilisation on mechanical properties, moisture buffering and water durability of hypercompacted earth. Construction and Building Materials 149, 733–40.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.182

[3] Burroughs, S., 2001. Quantitative criteria for the selection and stabilisation of soils for rammed earth wall construction (PhD thesis). University of New South Wales, Australia.

[4] Chen C., Wu L., Perdjon M., Huang X., Peng Y. et al. 2019. The drying effect on xanthan gum biopolymer treated sandy soil shear strength. Construction and Building Materials 197, 271–79.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.11.120

[5] Ciancio D., Beckett CTC., Carraro JAH., et al. 2014. Optimum lime content identification for lime-stabilised rammed earth. Construction and Building Materials. 53, 59-65.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.11.077

[6] Otcovská T., Mužíková B., Padevět P. 2019. Mechanical properties of rammed earth with respect to clay mixture composition. Acta Polytechnica 59, 372–383.

DOI: 10.14311/ap.2019.59.0372

[7] Hall M., Najim K., Keikhaei Dehdezi P., et al., 2012. Soil Stabilisation and Earth Construction - Materials, Properties and Techniques", In Modern Earth Buildings: Materials, Engineering, Constructions and Applications, Elsevier Ltd, 222–55.

DOI: 10.1533/9780857096166.2.222

[8] Houben H., Guillaud H., 1994. Earth Construction - A Comprehensive Guide (Earth Construction). Intermediate Technology Publications, London.

[9] Ismail F., Anjum M., Namon A., Kazi T. et al. 2011. Trace Metal Contents of Vegetables and Fruits of Hyderabad Retail Market. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 10, 365-372.

DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2011.365.372

[10] Jaquin P., Augarde CE., Gallipoli D., Toll DG. Et al. 2009. The strength of unstabilised rammed earth materials. Géotechnique. 59, 487–90.

DOI: 10.1680/geot.2007.00129

[11] Jaquin P. 2008. Analysis of Historic Rammed Earth Construction (PhD thesis). University of Durham, UK.

[12] Jaquin P., Augarde CE., Gallipoli D., Toll DG. et al. 2009. The strength of unstabilised rammed earth materials. Géotechnique. 59, 487–90.

DOI: 10.1680/geot.2007.00129

[13] Miccoli L., Mueller U., Fontana P. et al. 2014. Mechanical Behaviours of Earthen Materials - A comparison between Earth Block Masonry, Rammed Earth and Cob. Construction and Building Materials 61, 327-33.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.03.009

[14] Minke, G., 2000. Earth construction handbook - The building material earth in morden architecture. WIT Press, Southampton, U.K.

[15] Morel J-C., Bui Q.-B., Hamard E., et al. 2012. Modern Earth Buildings - Weathering and durability of earthen material and structures, Materials, Engineering, Constructions and Applications 11, 282-303.

DOI: 10.1533/9780857096166.2.282

[16] Onyelowe C. 2019. Nanosized Palm Bunch Ash (NPBA) - Stabilisation of Lateritic Soil for Construction Purposes. International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 13, 83–91.

DOI: 10.1080/19386362.2017.1322797

[17] Röhlen U. and Ziegert C., 2011. Earth Building Practice. Planning, Design, Building, 1st ed, Beuth Verlag, Berlim.

[18] Taghiloha L., 2013. Using Rammed Earth Mixed with Recycled Aggregate as a Construction Materials (PhD Thesis). Universitat Politecnica De Catalunia, Spain.

[19] Walker P., Keable R., Martin J., Maniatidis V., 2005. Rammed earth-Design and construction guidelines, 416 BRE Bookshop.