Moisture Content and Compressive Strength of Rammed Earth Construction Mixtures in Hot Arid Regions: The Case of Amman, Jordan
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 2
Abstract
Alternative building materials, such as adobe and rammed earth, can help reduce construction costs and carbon-dioxide emissions, making them an important part of sustainable building practices. Rammed earth building walls are substantial, long-lasting, heat-resistant, and recyclable because they are constructed by compressing naturally damp soil between temporary forms. Using mud in contemporary buildings presents several challenges, including durability and strength. This study investigated the impact of incorporating regular portland cement, quicklime (calcium oxide), and a self-polymerizable acrylic-based resin (a transparent bonding agent) into a soil mixture to address these problems. The optimal moisture content that maximizes compressive strength was also investigated. The results demonstrated that the optimum moisture content for maximum compressive strength and dry density was identical as the soil content in a mixture increased. The increase in the compressive strength and reduction in cracking can be attributed to the optimal proportions of regular portland cement, self-polymerizable acrylic-based resin, and quicklime. This study can serve as a guide for mixing appropriate proportions of materials that would yield the optimum mechanical properties for rammed earth construction in hot arid regions.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and codes generated or used in the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the University of Petra, Jordan under Project Grant No. 1/6/2020. The authors would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 2 • February 2024
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 10, 2022
Accepted: Aug 4, 2023
Published online: Nov 27, 2023
Published in print: Feb 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Apr 27, 2024
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