The feasibility of earth block masonry for building sustainable walling in the United Kingdom

Abstract

This article examines the possible use of earth block construction in the United Kingdom. The current and historical trends and distribution patterns of earth building in the United Kingdom and selected overseas countries are reviewed. The rationale for earth building is established, and the unique elements of earth block construction are identified. Economic and technical aspects of building with earth blocks are examined, and the cost of this process is highlighted as one of the major factors that is preventing the wider use of the technique. Methods of reducing the cost of building with earth blocks are examined, and the use of thin bed mortars is advocated as a possible way of reducing the labour cost of building, thereby making earth block building more economically viable. The article examines the structural questions raised by substituting traditional thick joint mortars with earth slurry mortars, and the thermal aspects of earth block walling are discussed. The article supports earth block walling as a sustainable alternative to more traditional walling construction. © 2010 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.