Rammed earth

Modern curve using steel and ply in the UK.

For building regulations and load bearing purposes an engineer or other suitably qualified person needs to be brought on board. Test walls will be built on the basis of laboratory analysis; soil samples will be taken and evaluated. PSD or Particle Size Distribution, is expressed as a percentage of the amount of aggregate, sand, silt and clay in the subsoil analysed. The moisture content of the soil is also expressed as a percentage.

Thanks to chemical analysis we know what an ‘optimal’ rammed earth building mix consists of. If the soil conditions in your area are not deemed suitable they could be modified or soil imported, but this would in large part defeat the purpose of building with earth – the low cost, low environmental impact nature of the raw material.

Rammed earth building

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Written by Astrid Madsen

Astrid Madsen is the editor of the SelfBuild magazine. Email astrid.madsen@selfbuild.ie

Co Antrim thatched home with modern extension

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