Mechanical properties of rammed earth with respect to clay mixture composition

Abstract

Unfired earth is a traditional building material, but it is less used than other building materials, such as concrete or steel. But the use of unfired earth is experiencing a renaissance. Rammed earth is a type of unfired earth and is usually used for load bearing structures. This paper describes an experimental determination of the tensile bending strength and compressive strength of the rammed earth specimens with known compositions. Mechanical properties are dependent on these compositions (kind of clay, amount of clay, amount of mixture water). Laboratory specimens were produced without inorganic binders or fibrous admixtures. We observed higher tensile bending strengths and lower compressive strengths in specimen mixtures containing more clay. The obtained results were evaluated in a context of a previous research. The results were also compared with results published by another author.