Author : G.W.T.C. Kandamby

Rammed earth is one of the traditional technology used for putting up houses in most parts of the world and it is being now rapidly developed through researches due to its valuable qualities especially strength, durability, environmental friendly and affordability. As a result, cement has been introduced as a stabilizer to gain high strength and durability. Local building codes and guidelines have been established to design and construct rammed earth walls successfully in buildings. Aim of this paper is to demonstrate the application of cement stabilized rammed earth for making load bearing walls of two storey house combining with reinforced cement concrete beams, lintels, slab and stairway. These walls have been structurally designed by following the code of engineering design of earth buildings NZS 4297:1998 published by New Zealand and applying strength parameters derived for local soils. House construction was totally completed in 2015 with smooth and rough wall finishes for internal and external surfaces of walls to get the good appearance to the house.

Keywords: Rammed earth, Cement stabilizer, Two storey house, Load bearing walls, Engineering design, Wall finishes.

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.8, No.2 (March/April 2018)