Abstract
The physical and mechanical properties of unstabilized rammed earth with different clay contents were studied, which could provide a theoretical basis for the understanding of mechanical properties of unstabilized rammed earth and improve the construction design method and specification of RE buildings for sustainable development. The experimental results show that clay content has significant influences on the engineering properties of unstabilized rammed earth. For the fine-grained soil, the liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index increase gradually with the increase of the clay content. The influence of clay content on the optimum moisture content compared with the maximum dry density is more significant. The mechanical properties of unstabilized rammed earth are significantly affected by the clay content. There exist good linear relationships, which can be used for the mutual verification or calculation among the mechanical properties. An empirical model of unconfined compression strength with the FA/CA ratio as the main parameter is established, and the UCS may obtain the maximum with a FA/CA ratio of 5.77.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kariyawasam KKGKD, Jayasinghe C. Cement Stabilized Rammed Earth as a Sustainable Construction Material[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2016, 105: 519–527
Bernat-Maso E, Gil L, Escrig C. Textile-reinforced Rammed Earth: Experimental Characterisation of Flexural Strength and Thoughness[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2016, 106: 470–479
Ciancio D, Jaquin P, Walker P. Advances on the Assessment of Soil Suitability for Rammed Earth[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2013, 42: 40–47
Allinson D, Hall M. Hygrothermal Analysis of a Stabilised Rammed Earth Test Building in the UK[J]. Energy and Buildings, 2010, 42(6): 845–852
Windstorm B, Schmidt A. A Report of Contemporary Rammed Earth Construction and Research in North America[J]. Sustainability, 2013, 5(2): 400–416
Vegas F, Mileto C, Cristini V. Constructive Features and Preservation Work of Rammed Earth Architecture: The Islamic Tower of Bofilla (Valencia)[J]. Journal of Architectural Conservation, 2014, 20(1): 28–42
Hall M, Djerbib Y. Rammed Earth Sample Production: Context, Recommendations and Consistency[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2004, 18(4): 281–286
Kailey A, Rishi G. Current State of Modern Rammed Construction: A Case Study of First Peoples House after Seven Years Exposure[J]. Key Engineering Materials, 2016, 666: 63–76
Pang M, Yang S, Zhang Y. Experimental Study of Cement Mortar-Steel Fiber Reinforced Rammed Earth Wall[J]. Sustainability, 2012, 4(12): 2630–2638
Khadka B, Shakya M. Comparative Compressive Strength of Stabilized and Un-stabilized Rammed Earth[J]. Materials & Structures, 2015: 1–11
Taallah B, Guettala A, Guettala S, et al. Mechanical Properties and Hygroscopicity Behavior of Compressed Earth Block Filled by Date Palm Fibers[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2014, 59: 161–168
Hossain KMA, Mol L. Some Engineering Properties of Stabilized Clayey Soils Incorporating Natural Pozzolans and Industrial Wastes[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2011, 25(8): 3495–3501
Peng X, Shi W, Hua C. Study on the Mechanism and Loss of Erosion by Wind Driven Rain for Rammed Earth Buildings[J]. Sichuan Daxue Xuebao, 2015, 47(1): 105–111
Ma C, Chen L, Chen B. Experimental Study of Effect of Fly Ash on Self-Compacting Rammed Earth Construction Stabilized with Cement-Based Composites[J]. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2016
Gerard P, Mahdad M, Mccormack AR, et al. A Unified Failure Criterion for Unstabilized Rammed Earth Materials Upon Varying Relative Humidity Conditions[J]. Construction & Building Materials, 2015, 95: 437–447
Hejazi SM, Sheikhzadeh M, Abtahi SM, et al. A Simple Review of Soil Reinforcement by Using Natural and Synthetic Fibers[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2012, 30: 100–116
Bui QB, Morel JC, Hans S, et al. Effect of Moisture Content on the Mechanical Characteristics of Rammed Earth[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2014, 54: 163–169
Standards Australia. The Australian Earth Building Handbook[S]. HB 195-2002, Sydney, 2002
Walker P. Rammed Earth: Design and Construction Guidelines[M]. UK: BRE Bookshop, 2005
Middleton G, Schneider L. Bulletin 5: Earth-wall Construction[M]. 4th ed. Sydney: CSIRO, 1987
Materials and Workmanship for Earth Buildings[S]. NZS 4298:1998. Standards New Zealand, Wellington, 1998
GB/T50123-1999. Standard for Soil Test Method[S]. Ministry of Construction, China 1999
ASCE. Standard Test Method for Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive Soil[S]. ASTM D 2166-2000. West Conshohocken, 2000
ASCE. Standard Test Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soils[S]. ASTM D 4318-2000. West Conshohocken, 2000
Kouakou CH, Morel JC. Strength and Elasto-plastic Properties of Non-industrial Building Materials Manufactured with Clay as a Natural Binder[J]. Applied Clay Science, 2009, 44(1-2): 27–34
Reddy BVV, Kumar PP. Cement Stabilised Rammed Earth. Part A: Compaction Characteristics and Physical Properties of Compacted Cement Stabilised Soils[J]. Materials and Structures, 2010, 44(3): 681–693
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Funded by the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China (2015BAL03B03)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Liu, Q., Tong, L. Engineering properties of unstabilized rammed earth with different clay contents. J. Wuhan Univ. Technol.-Mat. Sci. Edit. 32, 914–920 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11595-017-1690-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11595-017-1690-y