Author:
Houben Hugo,Balderrama Alejandro Alva,Simon Stefan
Abstract
AbstractEarth construction is the oldest and most universal architectural expression on our planet. The most ancient human settlements were built with raw earth, and even today at least 30% of the world's population still lives in earthen homes. The conservation of earthen architecture depends of two aspects of a global strategy. One part involves intervention to preserve existing structures, and the second involves continuing to use the construction methods and materials in contemporary and future building practices. Traditionally, earth construction has been approached in an empirical way. Only recently have those involved in the field felt it necessary to develop a specific materials research attitude. This has resulted in major technological progress over the last 20 years. The wide range of building systems emphasizes the technological diversity of earth construction. This article presents a historical perspective, along with a review of the characteristics of earth as a building material, stabilization processes, and construction methods, and a report on an ongoing research program aimed at identifying and characterizing the fundamental binding mechanisms responsible for cohesion properties in earthen construction.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry,Condensed Matter Physics,General Materials Science
Reference12 articles.
1. 12The Getty Conservation Institute Web site, http://www.getty.edu/conservation/field_projects/terra (accessed February 2004).
2. 10Illustrations can be found on the Earth Auroville home page, http://www.earth-auroville.com (accessed February 2004).
Cited by
8 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献