Earth buildings with local materials: Assessing the variability of properties measured using non-destructive methods

Abstract

The study focuses on analysing the variability of the properties for earthen materials constructed with traditional methods. Non-destructive tests are conducted on two material formulations: raw earth and raw earth mixed with hemp shives and reed. Raw earth samples exhibit coefficients of variation of 3.7%, 17.8%, 9.6%, 27.0% and 12.8% for density, electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, volumetric heat capacity and dynamic modulus, respectively. Higher variabilities of properties are observed for the formulation that includes natural fibres: 3.7%, 25.8%, 12.1%, 23.7% and 23.3%, respectively. Correlations between properties are established and the sensitivity to fibres presence inducing heterogeneity between specimens is analysed.