Standard Guide for Design of Earthen Wall Building Systems

Importancia y uso:

5.1 Historical Overview—Earthen building systems have been used throughout the world for thousands of years. Adobe construction dates back to the walls of Jericho which were built around 8300 B.C. Many extant earthen structures have been functioning for hundreds of years. However, with the development of newer building materials, earthen building systems have fallen into disfavor in parts of the world where they were once commonly used. At the same time, earthen construction is experiencing a revival in the industrialized world, driven by a number of factors.

5.2 Sustainability—As world population continues to rise and people continue to address basic shelter requirements, it becomes increasingly necessary to promote construction techniques with less life cycle impact on the earth. Earthen building systems are one type of technique that may have a favorable life cycle impact.

5.3 Building Code Impact—Earthen building systems have historically not been engineered, but as of the late 20^th Century it is for the first time in history possible to reliably apply rational structural design methods to earthen construction. A large number of earthen building codes, guidelines, and standards have appeared around the world over the past few decades, based upon a considerable amount of research and field observations regarding the seismic, thermal, and moisture durability performance of earthen structures. Some of those standards are:

Australian Earth Building Handbook

California Historical Building Code

Chinese Building Standards

Ecuadorian Earthen Building Standards

German Earthen Building Standards

Indian Earthen Building Standards

International Building Code / provisions for adobe construction

New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code

New Zealand Earthen Building Standards

Peruvian Earthen Building Standards

This guide draws from those documents and the global experience to date in providing guidance on earthen construction to engineers, building officials, and regulatory agencies.

5.4 Audience—There are two primary and sometimes overlapping markets for earthen construction and for this guide:

5.4.1 Areas with Historical or Indigenous Earthen Building Traditions—In places where earthen architecture is embedded in the culture, or there is little practical or economical access to other building systems, this guide can set a framework for increasing life safety and building durability.

5.4.2 Areas with a Nascent or Reviving Interest in Earthen Architecture—In places where earth is sometimes chosen over other options as the primary structural material, this guide provides a framework for codification and engineering design.

Subcomité:

E60.01

Volúmen:

04.12

Número ICS:

93.020 (Earth works. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works)

Palabras clave:

adobe; alternative agricultural products; alternative building materials; cob; compressed earth brick; earthen architecture; earthen construction; energy efficiency; indoor environmental quality (IEQ); natural building materials; rammed earth construction; sustainability; sustainable development; thermal mass;