Abstract

Earth, wood and others traditional materials are still used in house constructions in many regions of the world, especially in the Andes. San Pedro de Atacama, for example, is a small town where earth blocks (adobes) and rammed earth (tapial) are important ways to construct, an art passed on through generations. Energy properties of earth are very interesting: thermal conductivity is low; heat storage capacity is high; color is variable and can be used to absorb or to reject solar radiation. However, nowadays the government social dwelling service is proposing a different type of construction, which does not maintain any relation with the tradition. This paper presents simulation studies and monitoring of four different San Pedro houses, constructed by using different techniques and materials. Results can be used to discuss the thermal performance needed in desert climate and the reliability of social dwelling service houses, under construction at this time in the town.

Highlights

  • Humanity is facing in recent years the sustainability challenge

  • San Pedro de Atacama has an ancient tradition in earth constructions

  • This paper studies real homes, selected by material characterization: one is done by adobes, one by tapial technique, one is self-construction principally on wood, and the last one is done by concrete blocks covered by asbestos cement on the roof

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Summary

Introduction

Driving future scenarios towards a more inclusive and equitable world without compromise, the ecosystem appears the first objective of Sustainability 2014, 6 the human being [1,2]. This challenge includes a change of vision in many disciplines, with special attention to the built environment related issues [3]. San Pedro de Atacama, the focus of this study, is growing without any control, transforming itself from an agriculture dedicated village to a touristic town that is receiving thousands of people every week [6]. San Pedro de Atacama has an ancient tradition in earth constructions

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