Characterizing material properties of cement-stabilized rammed earth to construct sustainable insulated walls

(in lingua inglese)

This article presents the findings of a study initiated in Canada to determine the mechanical properties of rammed earth including compressive strength, bond strength, and flexural strength. The compressive strength test results indicate that strengths in excess of 15 MPa can be easily achieved at 28 days. Cored specimens indicated a much lower standard variability. Cast specimens on the other hand can be used to measure the compressive strength, but the high variability in test results needs to be accounted for. This study also presents some interesting findings on the pull out strength of rebar embedded vertically or horizontally in RE.