Rammed Earth: Test Tubes Methodology Report

Compressed Earth Tubes

Compressed Earth Blocks

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Objective: To test a wide range of organic and inorganic aggregates in compressed earth.

This research facilitated a semester long project on compressed earth.

In order to find durable and lightweight materials appropriate for use in a large-scale rammed earth block, a series of test blocks were created.

The goals of this report is to document the success and failures of the various materials used in these blocks.

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Compressed Earth Blocks

Researchers: Georges Fares, Claire Huo, Aaron McMurry, Mila Santana Course: Materials Lab Research Instructor: Jen Wong Semester: Spring 2018 Tools 2” Diameter Carboard Tube Re-used plotter tubes cut down into 8” segments. A single slice is cut down the middle of the tube with a bandsaw to facilitate the removal process.

1- 3/4 ” Diameter Wood DowLong wood dowel cut into 1’ segments, used to compact layers of rammed earth.

8” x 8” x 1/4” Plywood Re-used plywood base used as a ramming surface for tubes and wood dowel.

Tape Blue Scotch tape is used to seal the cut carboard tube and allow for an easy release.

Rubber Mallet Used to hit the dowel and compact the Earthen materials.

Compressed Earth Blocks

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Materials

A

Decomposed Granite

D

Expanded Glass 0.5-1.0

G

Cork - Fine 40/80 mm.

J

B

Sifted Soil (J.J. Pickle)

E

Expanded Glass 1.0-2.0

H

Cork - Med. 20/40 mm.

K

Wood Wool - Fine

Wood Wool - Coarse

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Compressed Earth Blocks

C

Sand

F

Expanded Glass 2.0-4.0

I Cork - Coarse 10/20 mm

L

Sawdust

Materials (cont.)

M

Perlite

Q

Red Art Clay

T

Ball Clay

X

Red Iron Oxide

N

Paper Fluff

R

Yellow Iron Oxide

V

Newman Red Clay

Y

JV Soil - Sandy

Compressed Earth Blocks

O

Expanded Shale

S

Black Iron Oxide

W

Burnt Umber

Z

JV Soil - Clayey

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Tests

AB-01

Specifications

Ratios

Weight: 14.7 oz.

Height: 4 - 1/4” Volume:12.6 in3 Density: 125.1 lbs/ft3

- “11 oz granite - 3.6 oz soil - 60 ml. water”

Status: Success

Weight: 17.0 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/4” Volume: 15.5 in3 Density: 117.7 lbs/ ft3

ABC-01

Status: Success

Weight: 12.6 oz.

Height: 4 - 1/8” Volume: 12.0 in3 3 Density: 112.3 lbs/ ft

ABC-02

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- 1/3 cup sifted soil - 1/3 cup sand - 2/3 cup granite - 50ml water”

Status: Success

Weight: 9.8 oz.

Height: 5 - 0” Volume: 14.8 in3 Density: 70.2 lbs/ ft 3

ABD-02

- 1/2 cup sifted soil - 1/2 cup sand - 1/2 cup granite - 60ml water

Status: Success Compressed Earth Blocks

- 12 oz granite - 4 oz sifted soil - 2 oz 0.5 glass - 60 ml water

Tests (cont.)

ABD-03

Specifications

Ratios

Weight: 10.0 oz.

Height: 3 - 5/8” Volume:11.1 in3 Density: 96.1 lbs/ ft 3

- 5 oz granite - 5.5oz sifted soil - 1 oz 0.5 glass - 50 ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 11.9 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/2” Volume: 16.1 in3 Density: 79.9 lbs/ ft 3

ABD-04

Status: Success

Weight: 11.4 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/8” Volume: 15.2 in3 Density: 81.0 lbs/ ft 3

ABG-01

- 1 cup fine cork - 1/2 cup granite - 1/2 cup sifted soil - 70ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 13.3 oz.

Height: 6 - 0” Volume: 16.1 in3 Density: 88.6 lbs/ ft 3

BAM-01

- 1/2 cup sifted soil - 1/2 cup sand - 1/2 cup granite - 60ml water

- 1 cup sifted soil - 1/2 cup granite - 1/2 cup perlite - 35 ml water

Status: Success Compressed Earth Blocks

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Tests (cont.)

BC-01

Specifications

Ratios

Weight: 14.7 oz.

Height: 3 - 3/4” Volume:11.1 in3 3 Density: 123.1 lbs/ ft

- 2/3 cup sifted soil - 2/3 cup sand - 50ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 14.3 oz.

Height: 3 - 7/8” Volume: 11.5 in3 Density: 133.9 lbs/ ft 3

BC-04

Status: Failure, Crumbly

Weight: 12.0 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/4” Volume: 15.2 in3 Density: 85.3 lbs/ ft 3

BCD-01

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- 1/3 cup sifted soil - 1/3 cup sand - 1/3 cup 0.5 glass - 60ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 9.3 oz.

Height: 4 - 1/2” Volume: 13.2 in3 Density: 75.6 lbs/ ft 3

BCF-01

- 1/2 cup sifted soil - 1 cup sand - 30ml water”

Status: Success Compressed Earth Blocks

- 1/2 cup sand - 1 cup sifted soil - 1.5 cup 2.0 glass - 50 ml water

Tests (cont.)

BD-01

Specifications

Ratios

Weight: 9.0 oz.

Height: 5 - 0” Volume:14.6 in3 Density: 70.2 lbs/ ft3

- 8 oz sifted soil - 2 oz 0.5 glass - 60 ml water”

Status: Success

Weight: 6.0 oz.

Height: 4 - 1/2” Volume: 13.2 in3 Density: 48.6 lbs/ ft 3

BDE-01

Status: Success

Weight: 9.3 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/4” Volume: 15.3 in3 Density: 43.1 lbs/ ft 3

BDF-01

- 8 oz sifted soil - 2 oz 0.5 glass - 0.5 oz 2.0 glass - 60 ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 5.7 oz.

Height: 4 - 3/4” Volume: 13.8 in3 Density: 43.2 lbs/ ft 3

BDF-02

- 7.5 oz sifted soil - 4oz 2.0+0.5 glass - 70 ml water

- 1 cup sifted soil - 0.7 cup 0.5 glass - 0.7 cup 2.0 glass - 50 ml water

Status: Success Compressed Earth Blocks

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Tests (cont.)

BE-01

Specifications

Ratios

Weight: 9.0 oz.

Height: 5 - 3/4” Volume:16.7 in3 Density: 57.2 lbs/ ft 3

- 8 oz sifted soil - 2 oz 2.0 glass - 60 ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 8.7 oz.

Height: 5 - 3/8” Volume: 15.7 in3 Density: 59.4 lbs/ ft 3

BE-02

Status: Success

Weight: 7.8 oz.

Height: 5 - 0” Volume: 14.6 in3 Density: 57.2 lbs/ ft3

BEH-01

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- 3/4 sifted soil - 1 cup 1.0 glass - 1/2 cup med cork - 50mL water”

Status: Success

Weight: 8.3 oz.

Height: 5 - 3/4” Volume: 16.8 in3 Density: 52.9 lbs/ ft 3

BELFMT-01

- 8 oz sifted soil - 2 oz 2.0 glass - 60 ml water

Status: Failure, Fragile Compressed Earth Blocks

- 1 cup sifted soil - 1/2 cup perlite - 1/4 cup 1.0 glass - 1/4 cup .5 glass - 1/2 sawdust - 2 tsp clay - 60 ml water

Tests (cont.)

BELMT-01

Specifications

Ratios

Weight: 9.3 oz.

Height: 4 - 3/4” Volume:13.9 in3 Density: 71.3 lbs/ ft3

- 1 cup sifted soil - 1/4 cup perlite - 1/4 cup 2.0 glass - 1/4 sawdust - 1.5 tsp clay - 60 ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 7.4 oz.

Height: 4 - 3/4” Volume: 14.9 in3 Density: 52.9 lbs/ ft3

BELMT-02

Status: Success

Weight: 7.8 oz.

Height: 5 - 0” Volume: 14.6 in3 Density: 57.2 lbs/ ft3

BEX-01

- 1/4 tsp. red oxide - 8 oz sifted soil - 2 oz 2.0 glass - 60 ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 1.3 oz.

Height: 1 - 1/2” Volume: 4.39 in3 Density: 31.3 lbs/ ft 3

ABRT-01

- 3/4 cup sifted soil - 1/2 cup perlite - 1/4 cup mid glass - 1/4 sawdust - 1.5 tsp clay - 50 ml water

- 1/4 cup sifted soil - 1/4 cup granite - 1 tsp clay - 1 tsp of yellow iron oxide

Status: Success Compressed Earth Blocks

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Tests (cont.)

Specifications

Weight: 1.3 oz.

Height: 1 - 1/2” Volume: 4.39 in3 Density: 31.3 lbs/ ft3

ABT-01

ABV-01

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- 1/4 cup sifted soil - 1/4 cup granite - 1 tsp clay

Status: Success

Weight: 1.3 oz.

Height: 1 - 1/2” Volume: 4.39 in 3 Density: 31.3 lbs/ ft 3

- 1/4 cup sifted soil - 1/4 cup granite - 1 tsp red clay

Status: Success

Weight: 1.3 oz.

Height: 1 - 3/4” Volume: 5.12 in3 Density: 31.3 lbs/ ft3

ABVT-01

- 1/4 cup sifted soil - 1/4 cup granite - 1 tsp clay

Status: Success

Weight: 1.3 oz.

Height: 1 - 1/2” Volume: 4.39 in3 3 Density: 31.3 lbs/ ft

ABT-02

Ratios

Status: Success Compressed Earth Blocks

- 1/4 cup sifted soil - 1/4 cup granite - 1/2 tsp red clay - 1/2 tsp clay

Tests (cont.)

Specifications

Weight: 1.3 oz.

Height: 1 - 1/2” Volume: 4.39 in3 Density: 0.29 oz/ in3

ABWQRVST-01

- 8 oz sifted soil - 2 oz saw dust - 100 ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 9.9 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/2” Volume:16.9 in3 Density: 62.6 lbs/ ft 3

BLMT-01

- 1/4 cup sifted soil - 1/4 cup granite - 1/2 tsp red clay - 1 tsp umber

Status: Success

Weight: 8.6 oz.

Height: 4 - 3/4” Volume:13.8 in3 Density: 67.2 lbs/ ft 3

BL-01

- 1/4 cup sifted soil - 1/4 cup granite - 1/5 tsp umber - 1/5 tsp red clay - 1/5 tsp yellow - 1/5 tsp black - 1/5 Clay

Status: Success

Weight: 1.3 oz.

Height: 1 - 1/2” Volume: 4.39 in3 Density: 31.3 lbs/ ft3

ABWQT-01

Ratios

- 1 cup sifted soil - 1/2 cup sawdust - 1/2 cup perlite - 1 tsp bell clay - 60ml water

Status: Success Compressed Earth Blocks

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Tests (cont.)

BM-01

Specifications

Ratios

Weight: 8.47 oz.

Height: 4 - 3/4” Volume:12.8 in3 Density: 71.3 lbs/ft 3

- 1 cup sifted soil - 1/2 cup perlite - 30 ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 8.29 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/4” Volume: 15.3 in3 Density: 58.3 lbs/ft 3

BM-02

Status: Failure, Crumbly

Weight: 9.4 oz.

Height: 5 - 3/4” Volume: 16.9 in3 Density: 59.4 lbs/ ft 3

BM-03

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- 3/4 sifted soil - 1 cup 1.0 glass - 1/2 cup med cork - 50mL water”

Status: Success

Weight: 8.15 oz.

Height: 3 - 1/4” Volume: 9.50 in3 Density: 91.8 lbs/ ft 3

BN-01

- 1 cup sifted soil - 1 cup perlite - 40 ml water

Status: Success Compressed Earth Blocks

- 1 cup sifted soil - 1/2 cup paper fluff - 40ml water

Tests (cont.)

BN-02

Specifications

Ratios

Weight: 8.32 oz.

Height: 3 - 5/8” Volume:10.6 in3 Density: 84.2 lbs/ ft 3

- 1 cup sifted soil - 2 cups paper fluff - 40 ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 7.78 oz.

Height: 4 - 7/8” Volume: 14.1 in3 Density: 59.4 lbs/ ft 3

DEF-01

Status: Success

Weight: 11.5 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/2” Volume: 16.1 in3 Density: 76.7 lbs/ft 3

LOAM

- 1 cup coarse cork - 1/2 JV Sand - 1/2 JV Loam - 60ml water

Status: Success

Weight: 11.6 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/2” Volume: 16.1 in3 Density: 77.8 lbs/ft 3

SANDY

- 12 oz sifted soil - 1 oz 0.5 glass - 1 oz 1.5- glass - 1 oz 2.0 glass

- 3/4 JV Sand - 1/2 JV Loam - 60ml water

Status: Success Compressed Earth Blocks

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Selected Successes

BLMT-01 Specifications

Notes

Weight: 9.9 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/2” Volume:16.9 in 3 Density: 0.58 oz/ in3

Sawdust and perlite work well as light-weight aggregates. Clay and subsoil work in tandem to bind these aggregates without taking up too much weight.

Ratios - 1 cup sifted soil - 1/2 cup sawdust - 1/2 cup perlite - 1 tsp clay - 60ml water

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Compressed Earth Blocks

Selected Successes (cont.)

ABD-04 Specifications

Notes

Weight: 11.9 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/2” 3 Volume: 16.1 in Density: 0.74 oz/ in

Layering granite, sand, and subsoil ads for a nice visual appeal. In addition, the sand acts as a finer binder than granite. The variety in particle size in tandem with the water and subsoil makes for a strong connection.

Ratios - 1/2 cup sifted soil - 1/2 cup sand - 1/2 cup granite - 60ml water

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Compressed Earth Blocks

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Selected Successes (cont.)

ABG-01 Specifications

Notes

Weight: 11.4 oz.

Height: 5 - 1/8” Volume: 15.2 in3 Density: 0.75 oz/ in3

Using fine cork reduced the amount of granite needed to create a block.

The use of fine cork in lieu of granite helped reduce the overall weight of the block.

Ratios - 1 cup fine cork - 1/2 cup granite - 1/2 cup sifted soil - 70ml water

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Compressed Earth Blocks

Selected Successes (cont.)

BEH-01 Specifications

Notes

Weight: 7.8 oz.

Height: 5 - 0” Volume: 14.6 in3 Density: 0.53 oz/ in3

Using cork and expanded glass beads as aggregates greatly reduced the overall weight of the block. The variety in particle size also created greater unit adhesion.

Ratios - 3/4 sifted soil - 1 cup 1.0 glass - 1/2 cup med cork - 50mL water”

Compressed Earth Blocks

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