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Natural and Recycled Mateials



In this section we will compile resources relating to Natural and Recycled materials with a special focus on earthen construction. The title slides at the top outline the basic structure of the curriculum taught at SCA which this visual refference attempts to generally follow. Most images link to resources, videos, scientific papers, books, or other media. This visual library is intended to help facilitate independent research and study of these subjects. If you would like to suggest resources please email info@constructivearts.org



Rammed Earth Construction A specially prepared mix of earth is poured damp into a form and tamped or rammed. The compression creates a durable monolithic wall with a texture like sandstone which can stand unfinished for hundreds of years. The mix can be natural or stabilized by adding pozzolans or cement as binding agents. Tapial usually refers to the older practice of forming the wall in small sections. Modern rammed earth often utilizes large forms and machinery for mixing, placing, and tamping. Shibām Ḥaḍramawt شِبَام حَضْرَمَوْتOften adobe and mudbrick construction are associated with mud huts and humble single story dwellings. The Yemeni city of Shibam proves this conception erroneous. The houses of Shibam are made out of mud brick but about 500 of them are tower blocks which rise 5 to 11 stories high. While Shibam has been in existence for an estimated 1,700 years, most of the city's houses originate from the 16th century. The city has some of the tallest mud buildings in the world, with some of them over 30 m (98 feet) high, making them some of the earliest examples of high-rise apartment buildings Guia de Construccion Bahareque Parasismica - Wilfredo Carazas Aedo Alba Rivero Olmos Materials of Earth Building - School of Constructive Arts Earth Building Workshop - 3.19.2021 Geologic Atlas of Texas, Emory Peak Presidio Sheet Maps of Surficial Geology within the U.S. are available through the USGS and are a useful means of determining where to source soils of particular composition for earth based building. Gernot Minke's "Building With Earth" is the earthen construction text book / bible. Compressed Earth BlockCompressed earth block combines the health and environmental benefits of earthen construction with the efficiency and precision of modern manufacturing. A damp mix of inorganic subsoil including clay and aggregate is compressed at high pressure to form blocks using a mechanical press. Blocks may be stabilized with lime or portland cement. Typically, around 1500 - 2000 psi is applied in compression. The compression strength of properly made CEB can meet or exceed that of typical cement or mud brick. Blocks may be shaped to accommodate rebar. Adobe Workshop - School of Constructive Arts - 3.2.2021 Compressed Earth BlockCompressed earth block combines the health and environmental benefits of earthen construction with the efficiency and precision of modern manufacturing.

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The School of Constructive Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We support resilient communities and encourage individuals to study, experiment, and advance models for building and living in healthy relation to the natural environment.

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