EARTH AS A STRUCTURAL MATERIAL

INTRODUCTION NATURAL CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES USING MUD

• 🌍 Definition: Earth-based construction involves building structures using natural materials like
WALLING TECHNIQUES :-
soil, clay, sand, and gravel.
• 🧱 Common Techniques: Includes rammed earth, cob, adobe, earthbags, and compressed
earth blocks (CEBs).
• 🌱 Eco-Friendly: Sustainable and environmentally friendly due to low embodied energy,
recyclability, and minimal industrial processing.
• 💰 Cost-Effective: Often cheaper due to the availability of local materials and reduced
transportation and processing costs
• Thermal Performance: Excellent natural insulation and thermal mass, which helps regulate
indoor temperature and reduce energy consumption. Rammed Earth Walls Adobe Brick Walls Wattle and Daub
• Low-Tech Tools: Can be constructed with simple tools and minimal machinery, making it Soil mixed with water is compacted in Mud bricks (adobe) made from a A frame of woven twigs (wattle) is
accessible for community or self-build projects. layers inside formwork to create mixture of clay, water, and straw are covered with a mixture of clay, straw,
• 🏠 Aesthetic Appeal: Earth materials offer a natural, organic look and can be shaped creatively thick, load-bearing walls. sun-dried and stacked with mortar to and sometimes animal dung (daub).
for beautiful architectural designs. form walls.
• 🧪 Material Composition: Typically a mix of sand, silt, clay, and sometimes organic matter or
stabilizers like lime or cement for added strength. FLOORING TECHNIQUES :- ROOFING TECHNIQUES :-
• ⚠️Challenges: Susceptibility to water damage, labor-intensive construction, and local building
code restrictions.

✅ PROS: ❌ CONS:
• 🌱 Eco-Friendly: Uses natural, locally- • 💧 Water Sensitivity: Vulnerable to
sourced materials, reducing carbon erosion or damage if not well- Mud Floors Thatched Roof with Mud Earth Roof (Living Roof)
Compressed Earth Block (CEB)
footprint.. protected from rain and moisture. A mixture of clay and Coating A roof structure is built
Flooring
• 🧱 Durability: When properly • 🧱 Labor-Intensive: Time-consuming water is spread over a A traditional thatch roof is with a waterproof layer,
CEBs are used as floor tiles or
maintained, structures can last and requires a lot of manual labor. base, often compacted coated with a layer of mud followed by a thick layer
blocks, laid in patterns and
hundreds of years. • 📜 Building Codes: May not be approved and smoothed for a flat to waterproof it, creating a of earth and vegetation.
sometimes sealed with a natural oil
• 🔇 Sound Insulation: Thick earthen walls or recognized by modern building finish. strong barrier against rain.
or wax.
provide good acoustic insulation. regulations in some areas.
• ♻️Recyclable: Materials can be reused • 📐 Structural Limitations: Not suitable FROM SOIL TO STRUCTURE: MAKING SUN-DRIED BRICKS
or returned to the earth with minimal for high-rise or complex architectural
environmental impact. forms without additional support. Prepare the Mixture: Dry the bricks:
• Energy Efficient: Excellent thermal • 🚧 Maintenance: May need regular Add water slowly while Let the bricks dry in the
mass helps maintain indoor upkeep, especially in wet or humid mixing until you get a thick, sun for 1-2 days on one
temperature and reduce climates. mud-like consistency—wet side.Then, turn them on
heating/cooling needs • 🌍 Regional Suitability: Not ideal in enough to hold shape. their edges to allow all
• 💸 Cost-Effective: Lower material and areas with heavy rainfall, flooding, or sides to dry evenly.
transportation costs; great for low- seismic activity unless specially
budget housing.. adapted. Select the Right Soil Mold the Bricks: Store or Use:
Ideally, the soil should Place the mold on a flat Once completely dry and
have about 15-30% clay level surface, Fill the hard, bricks are ready to
and the rest sand. mold with the mud use.Store them in a dry
mixture and press it in place to avoid
firmly. moisture damage.

GUIDED BY : SUBMITTED BY: SHEET NO.

EARTH -
ALTERNATE BUILDING TECHNIQUE
AR. KAJAL GARG HARSH RAJPUT, KESHAV KAUSHIK,
NEELAM SINGH, VISHWANATHAN KOHLI 01
EARTH AS A STRUCTURAL MATERIAL
SOIL TO STRUCTURE: THE ART OF BUILDING BONDS BEHIND THE BUILD: HOW WE CREATED THE ROOM MODEL
Stretcher Bond Concept : Building from the Earth
Description: In this bond, only the longer face (stretcher) of the
brick is visible on the wall surface. This model demonstrates how sustainable structures can be created directly
Usage: Commonly used for half-brick thick walls (partition walls). from the earth using traditional and eco-friendly methods. The room is
Features: Simple, economical, but not suitable for thick load- constructed using sun-dried bricks, showcasing a practical application of
bearing walls. adobe construction techniques. These bricks are made from a natural mix of
clay, sand, water, and organic materials like straw, then left to dry under the
Header Bond
sun without the use of fire or industrial energy.
Description: In this bond, only the shorter face (header) of the
brick is visible.
The model reflects how such techniques can be used to create strong,
Usage: Used in walls of one-brick thickness.
breathable, and climate-friendly structures—ideal for rural housing and eco-
Features: Stronger than stretcher bond, provides better
conscious development. It represents a harmonious blend of nature and
load distribution
architecture, rooted in tradition yet relevant for the future.
English Bond
Description: Alternating courses of stretcher and header bricks. Model Making Process
Usage: Suitable for thick and load-bearing walls. To represent adobe construction using sun-dried bricks, we crafted a scaled room model while ensuring structural clarity
Features: Very strong and commonly used in construction; good and durability through the following steps:
appearance and durability.
STEP-1 : Base Preparation:
Flemish Bond
The model's foundation was built using POP (Plaster of
Description: Each course has alternate stretcher and header
Paris) for added strength. A reinforcement web was
bricks.
embedded within the base to simulate real construction
Usage: Suitable for walls one brick thick or more.
foundations and improve model durability.
Features: More decorative than English bond, slightly less
strong but aesthetically appealing.
Brick Jali STEP-2 : Wall Construction:
Description: A decorative open brickwork with gaps left intentionally After the base set, the walls were built to reflect traditional
between bricks. adobe techniques. The POP material was shaped to mimic the
Usage: Used for ventilation, natural lighting, and aesthetics in texture and appearance of sun-dried bricks.
boundary walls and facades.
Features: Lightweight, artistic, and allows air/light passage.
T-Junction STEP-3 : Openings and Detailing:
Description: The point where a cross wall meets the main wall Openings for doors and windows were carefully cut out,
at a right angle (like the letter "T"). ensuring accuracy in proportion and placement as per
Usage: Common in room layouts where one wall intersects architectural standards.
another.
Features: Requires proper bonding to ensure structural
stability and load transfer.
L-Junction STEP-4 : Ceiling Slab Casting:
Description: The point where two walls meet at a corner forming an A ceiling slab was cast over the walls using POP. During this
"L" shape. process, a portion of the reinforcement was left exposed
Usage: Seen in external corners of rooms or buildings. intentionally to illustrate the materials and methods used in
Features: Needs interlocking bonds for corner real-life construction.
strength and durability.

GUIDED BY : SUBMITTED BY: SHEET NO.

EARTH -
ALTERNATE BUILDING TECHNIQUE
AR. KAJAL GARG HARSH RAJPUT, KESHAV KAUSHIK,
NEELAM SINGH, VISHWANATHAN KOHLI 02