Evaluating material characteristics of earthen material used in traditional construction in Nepal

Abstract

About 50% of the construction industry is perceived to heavily rely on cement and concrete as primary building materials. However, this practice contributes significantly to CO2 emissions, thus exacerbating global warming and climate change. With approximately 30% of the world's population residing in mud or adobe homes, the current construction approach could have dire consequences when striving to meet future housing demands. While the concept of building with earth is not novel, it demands a fresh perspective. Clay, sand, and silt, when employed as construction materials, possess tremendous potential within the construction field. This potential can be fully realized if we revitalize this age-old technique through the application of modern scientific approaches and knowledge. Thus, it becomes imperative to scrutinize the relevance of traditional earth-based construction practices in addressing the housing crisis using sustainable and ecologically friendly building methodologies.In this study, lime, rice husk ash (RHA), and even unconventional materials like elephant dung (as fibers) have been employed as binding agents. Their impact has been evaluated on soil compositions (comprising 80.2% silt, 16.1% clay, and 3.7% sand), as practiced by the Tharu Community in Nepal. The findings from the tests reveal that soil blocks with a lime-to-RHA ratio of 2:1 exhibit a compressive strength of 0.44 MPa, while an RHA-to-lime ratio of 2:1 results in a compressive strength of 0.63 MPa after a 28-day curing period.[copyright information to be updated in production process]