Rammed Earth
RAMMED EARTH
Fíonnadh McGonigle
0818555
Contents
• History (page 2)
• The Use of Rammed Earth within the UK (pages 3 & 4)
• Rammed Earth as a Sustainable material, Thermal and Insulation properties (pages 5 & 6 )
• Weather Protection (page 7)
• Construction week
o Aims (page 8)
o Risk Assessment (page 9,10 &11)
o Prototype I (pages 12,13 & 14)
o Prototype II (page 15)
o Earth preparation (pages 15 &16)
o Prototype III (pages 17, & 18)
o Final Wall (pages 19, 20 & 21)
o Revised Risk assessment (page 22)
• Conclusion (pages 23, 24 & 25)
• Bibliography (page 26)
Rammed Earth
Historical Use
The use of earth itself in construction dates back thousands of years, the first recorded city – Jericho was built of earth. The first recorded use of rammed earth was by the Babylonians in 5000BC. Parts of the western portion of the Great Wall of China 300BC are built of rammed earth. Almost every European country has a history of rammed earth construction but is usually a material associated with arid areas.
1780-1850 Rammed earth experienced popularity in the USA until mass production of fire bricks and sawed lumber became readily available. These materials were now favoured for being more elegant and modern than using rammed earth – or “dirt”. However during World War I and the Great depression, supply shortages prompted a return to Rammed Earth.
Rammed Earth remained fairly unpopular then until the 1970’s when it began to be rejuvenated by the environmentally conscious.
Despite Rammed Earths extensive use throughout history, its use is still not so popular within the UK. Reason for this is largely due to architects/
Fíonnadh McGonigle
0818555
Contents
• History (page 2)
• The Use of Rammed Earth within the UK (pages 3 & 4)
• Rammed Earth as a Sustainable material, Thermal and Insulation properties (pages 5 & 6 )
• Weather Protection (page 7)
• Construction week
o Aims (page 8)
o Risk Assessment (page 9,10 &11)
o Prototype I (pages 12,13 & 14)
o Prototype II (page 15)
o Earth preparation (pages 15 &16)
o Prototype III (pages 17, & 18)
o Final Wall (pages 19, 20 & 21)
o Revised Risk assessment (page 22)
• Conclusion (pages 23, 24 & 25)
• Bibliography (page 26)
Rammed Earth
Historical Use
The use of earth itself in construction dates back thousands of years, the first recorded city – Jericho was built of earth. The first recorded use of rammed earth was by the Babylonians in 5000BC. Parts of the western portion of the Great Wall of China 300BC are built of rammed earth. Almost every European country has a history of rammed earth construction but is usually a material associated with arid areas.
1780-1850 Rammed earth experienced popularity in the USA until mass production of fire bricks and sawed lumber became readily available. These materials were now favoured for being more elegant and modern than using rammed earth – or “dirt”. However during World War I and the Great depression, supply shortages prompted a return to Rammed Earth.
Rammed Earth remained fairly unpopular then until the 1970’s when it began to be rejuvenated by the environmentally conscious.
Despite Rammed Earths extensive use throughout history, its use is still not so popular within the UK. Reason for this is largely due to architects/