Load bearing rammed earth wall construction with pre-cast earth wall junctions

Abstract

Cement stabilized rammed earth is gradually gaining popularity as an alternative walling material. One of the options used for rammed earth construction is to use a type of slip form that is positioned between columns formed with either cement stabilized earth blocks or reinforced concrete and slid up the column guides as required. In order to eliminate the formation of cracks at the block or concrete column and wall interface, it is suggested pre-formed cement stabilized rammed earth "L" and "T" - shaped junctions be used in place of block or concrete columns. This research paper presents the compressive strength parameters of these L and T shaped pre-formed in-situ junctions, together with the properties of normal rammed earth wall panels. Further, the difficulties of constructing these elements is studied. It was revealed that the rammed- earth wall junctions perform equally well when compared to concrete or blockwork guides and the difficulty of construction is similar to other similar methods.