Earth construction (EC) has a long global history and is gaining renewed interest among researchers due to contemporary environmental challenges. This chapter reviews recent EC developments, emphasizing its environmental, energy, and thermal advantages. Thermal conductivity of ECs falls within the range of 650 to 1100 mW m−1 K−1. However, it also highlights drawbacks like weak mechanical and seismic performances and labor-intensive construction. To overcome these challenges, self-consolidating earth concrete (SCEC) is suggested as a faster, green construction alternative. This chapter discusses strategies for enhancing workability in earthen mixtures containing fine clay particles and the complexities of dispersion due to clay type and content, potentially conflicting with chemical admixtures. High-range water reducer admixtures show greater potential in dispersing SCEC powders in the presence of cement compared to clay dispersants. The other challenge is achieving strength in the absence of cement, which is vital for formwork removal. Lastly, the chapter acknowledges the difficulty in providing a comprehensive guideline for proportioning earth concrete mixtures due to soil diversity, suggesting the use of key soil characterization parameters for tailored workability and mechanical performance. Soils with liquid limit and plasticity index less than 40% and 25%, respectively, are recommended for designing SCEC.

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Sustainable Development with Earth Concrete

  • Mojtaba Kohandelnia,
  • Masoud Hosseinpoor,
  • Ammar Yahia

摘要

Earth construction (EC) has a long global history and is gaining renewed interest among researchers due to contemporary environmental challenges. This chapter reviews recent EC developments, emphasizing its environmental, energy, and thermal advantages. Thermal conductivity of ECs falls within the range of 650 to 1100 mW m−1 K−1. However, it also highlights drawbacks like weak mechanical and seismic performances and labor-intensive construction. To overcome these challenges, self-consolidating earth concrete (SCEC) is suggested as a faster, green construction alternative. This chapter discusses strategies for enhancing workability in earthen mixtures containing fine clay particles and the complexities of dispersion due to clay type and content, potentially conflicting with chemical admixtures. High-range water reducer admixtures show greater potential in dispersing SCEC powders in the presence of cement compared to clay dispersants. The other challenge is achieving strength in the absence of cement, which is vital for formwork removal. Lastly, the chapter acknowledges the difficulty in providing a comprehensive guideline for proportioning earth concrete mixtures due to soil diversity, suggesting the use of key soil characterization parameters for tailored workability and mechanical performance. Soils with liquid limit and plasticity index less than 40% and 25%, respectively, are recommended for designing SCEC.