Historical Development of Rammed Earth Construction and Its Use in Canada

Abstract

Rammed earth (RE) construction is a sustainable building method, using naturally available materials, for laying foundations, and walls typically of low-rise buildings. RE construction requires: compaction of a mixture of damp soil with a suitable proportion of clay, lime, cement, and other binding material. The advantages and disadvantages of RE construction depend on the geographic location, the quality of material, and the difficulty acquiring land-use and funding approvals, but RE structures once constructed have the advantages of being structurally rigid, durable, fire resistant, soundproof, and moisture resistant. In addition, RE construction can be cost effective as compared to structures that are made with other building materials, provided an adequate supply of suitable earth exists onsite or nearby. Owing to its advantages, RE construction has been widely used since ancient times for domestic, agricultural, and monumental public buildings and structures. In this paper, the physical characteristics of RE construction are reviewed, and the history of its use globally and in Canada are discussed.