Rammed Earth Topics

• passive solar buildings
• south dakota state college
• earth buildings
• indoor temperatures
• thermal conductivity
• temperature fluctuations
• earth construction
• concrete structures
• temperature variations
• scarce supply
• dakota state college
• thermal mass
• south dakota state
• vapor barriers
• air exchange
• thick wall
• arid regions
• cold temperature
• profitable investment
• heavy rain

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Rammed Earth, Rammed Earth

Traditionally, rammed earth buildings are common in arid regions where wood is in scarce supply.

This can even out daily temperature variations and reduce the need for air conditioning and heating. On the other hand, rammed earth is not a good insulator. Like brick and concrete (which also have excellent thermal mass), rammed earth is often insulated in colder climates. The thickness and density of the walls lends itself naturally to soundproofing and the materials used in the walls make them virtually fireproof.

South Dakota State College carried out extensive research and built almost 100 weathering walls of rammed earth.

Often the modern method of construction seems easier. Profitable investment seems too uncertain so rammed earth construction is often neglected in modern building cultures.

The density and thickness of rammed earth makes it so that hot or cold temperature penetration has a slow rate of thermal conductivity. Warmth takes almost 12 hours to work its way through a thick wall. The walls provide good thermal mass, which helps keep indoor temperatures stable, particularly in regions with dramatic daily temperature changes. The half-day rate of heat transfer and thermal mass of the material makes rammed earth a practical material for passive solar buildings. Rammed earth has been a popular choice for buildings where temperature fluctuations need to be kept to a minimum. It can be used in cooler climates but must be protected from heavy rain and insulated with vapor barriers.

Rammed earth also allows more air exchange than concrete structures allowing the building to breathe and not become clammy without significant heat loss as the material mass absorbs the temperature as the wall breathes.

Source: Wikipedia > Rammed Earth