Scholarly record
INNOVATION IN VERNACULAR TRADITIONS: PRELIMINARY EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON CLAY MIX DESIGN FOR DURABLE POURED EARTH WALLS
Abstract
Innovative construction materials and techniques can be sourced from natural resources and traditional methods, and applied to green housing concepts to enhance energy efficiency and occupant well-being. Innovation in vernacular traditions can be achieved by integrating the modern, current methods and techniques, materials and tools within local traditional technologies and associated natural raw materials (clay, sand, wood, straw, and wool) in order to enhance ecologic housing facilities with improved overall performance: structural, economic and sustainable. The current paper focuses on development of poured earth walls as an eco-friendly alternative to classic solutions (masonry, concrete walls, etc.), specifically on the clay-based mix design feasible for the poured earth technique. This technique resembles natural concrete, aggregate grains are bonded by clay particles instead of cement-based binding systems, and it offers environmental benefits such as facile recyclability, low impact, and effective hygrothermal regulation, but also brings consistent challenges regarding the proper clay-based earthen mix design. Preliminary and exploratory fresh-state testing is performed on several clayey mixes, in order to identify critical parameters with further relevance to the structural and durability performance, together with specific comparative evaluation and corresponding conclusions related to overall concept feasibility.
Publication Impact Profile
- Captures
- Mendeley - Readers: 7
Publication details
References8
Fernandes, J., Mateus, R., Gervasio, H., Silva, S. & Braganca, L., Passive Strategies Used In Southern Portugal Vernacular Rammed Earth Buildings and Their Influence Thermal Performance. Renewable Energy, (142), 345-363, 2019. DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.04.098
Mileto, C., Lopez-Manzanares, F., Crespo, L. & Garcia-Soriano, L., The Influence Of Geographical Factors In Traditional Earthen Architecture: the Case Of The Iberian Peninsula. Sustainability, 8(11), 2369, 2019. DOI: 10.3390/su11082369
Moscoso-Garcia, P., & Quesada-Molina, F., Analysis of Passive Strategies in Traditional Vernacular Architecture. Buildings, 13(8), 1984, 2023. DOI: 10.3390/buildings13081984
Alrashed, F., Asif, M., & Burek, S., The role of vernacular construction techniques and materials for developing zero-energy homes in various desert climates. Buildings, 7(1), 17, 2017. DOI: 10.3390/buildings7010017
Ozen, H., Keles, S., & Engin, E., Vernacular building heritage in the eastern black sea region in Turkey. Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 6(7), 867, 2012. DOI: 10.17265/1934-7359/2012.07.009
Morel, J. C., Charef, R., Hamard, E., Fabbri, A., Beckett, C., & Bui, Q. B., Earth as construction material in the circular economy context: practitioner perspectives on barriers to overcome. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 376(1834), 20200182, 2021. DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0182
Baera, C., Matei, C. L., Enache, F., Stamate, C., & Cioncu-Puenea, M. Experimental study for structural performance evaluation of earth walls realised with innovative traditional technologies. International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference: SGEM, 22(6.2), 413-420, 2022. DOI: 10.5593/sgem2022v/6.2/s26.53
Minke G., Building with earth. Design and Technology of a Sustainable Architecture. In Birkhauser � Publishers for Architecture Basel Berlin Boston, 2005.
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.