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angeline brousseau
Joined: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:20 am Post subject: mud houses |
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hello all,
im a ID student and am doing a project on mud houses but having some trouble finding information. Any body have any knowledge they can share with me?
thanks,
angie |
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design matters
Joined: 08 Jan 2006
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:16 am Post subject: mud construction - possibilities |
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Why Mud?
“ One of the wonderful and endearing things about mud is that there is a wide range of muds and every single one has its own individual characteristics. All of it is god made and not machine made, so it is not standardized and it is almost limitless in quantity. Therefore to many, especially to the engineering world, it is maddening rather than endearing because you have to know your own mud and how to handle it.
All ladies have beautiful eyes and bewitching hair and shapely lips but ideally you have to learn to live with, love, cherish and understand your own particular woman.
Treat your mud as you should treat your wife and you will have a wonderful house for life.”
- Laurie Baker
Man has always built with natural materials; building with mud /earth, the most natural of all building materials, poses a special challenge. Architecture today, is dominated by cold hard, machine made building materials. While all previous attempts to replace these with a more plastic, environment- friendly material have resulted in a negation of the structural/technical dimension of Architecture, building with mud offers the unique possibility of a synthesis. As a an exploration into the possibilities of mud as a building material is especially relevant in a country like India where more than 80% of the population are sheltered in structures built with biomass.
The advantages and possibilities of mud construction are endless. Mud is environmentally the most sustainable material. Besides its obvious eco friendly nature, its easy availability makes it almost a ‘no cost’ material, abundantly present, generally on the site itself. This cost-effective material is also energy efficient and can be used to produce aesthetically very appealing structures. Its unique plasticity that allows it to be molded, its texture and earthy feel lend its structures a certain timeless quality. Buildings made of mud are also extremely comfortable, both in warm and cool weather, due to its thermal characteristics. Conceptually the material can be used to combine traditional elements in a contemporary context. The architecture strikes a subtle balance between technical appropriateness on the one hand and modern standards of services and space organization comforting to people on the other. To most people, however, to think of mud houses is at once to think of decrepit and crumbling structures, possibly in a slum or similar setting with the result that construction in mud is often dogged by a certain stigma. A greater understanding of the possibilities of the material and the great strides it has made with respect to application and use will enable a constructive redefining of its suitability for different types of construction. Construction with mud is the answer to many of our vexing housing problems and presents an exciting and down to earth alternative to the perpetuation of the concrete jungle.
Suitability of various soils for construction
Mud is the mixture of one or several kinds of soil with water. This moist plastic mixture can be used with or without stabilizing additives for the production of mud bricks (adobe) or mud walls.
The soils of the tropics show great variability even over small areas. Much of this variability, however, is important for agriculture while it is of less concern for the earth house construction. Soils suitable for construction are however found in most areas. The different soil qualities may produce different shear strengths, which can be suitably modified through the addition of water and the stabilization process to produce building material of the requisite strength. In areas with large changes in climate, hot summer, freezing winters and much rain, mud construction must be made with great care and great attention must be given to the choice of soil type and the process of stabilization.
Type of Soil
Description
Suitability
GRAVEL
Small pieces of stone
Size varying from that of a pea to an egg.
Not good.
SAND
Smaller pieces of stone.
Smaller than pea, but each grain still visible to the eye.
Sand alone- Not good
But with clay- Good
SILT
Same as sand, but so fine that individual grain is not visible.
Silt alone- Not good
But with stabilizer- Good
CLAY
Soils that are sticky when wet but are very hard, when dry.
Clay alone- Not good
But with sand- Good
ORGANIC SOIL
Composed of organic matter, dark in colour and have a musty smell.
Not good.
Sources of mud
One of the most endearing facts about mud is that we can use the mud from our own plot to make our own house. A 25 sq.m house on a 250 sq.m plot would require about 60 cubic metres of mud for its walls. By digging all over the plot except the basement area to a depth of 0.266m (10 inches), you have the right amount of mud to build your house.
Manifestations of mud
Depending on the characteristics of the mud available, availability of supporting materials and technology used, different manifestations of mud are used. These include Adobe or Sun-dried bricks, Cob, Rammed earth, Pressed bricks, Wattle and Daub etc.
1. Cob
A large lump of clay is roughly molded into a ball. A row of these cobs of mud is placed side by side. The second layer is laid on the depressions of the first layer. The building should proceed only slowly, allowing sufficient time for hardening.
2. Adobe / Sun- dried blocks
This is one of the most widely used forms of mud. The stiff clay is squashed into a small box or mould of wood or metal and then turned out to cure and slowly dry.
3.Rammed earth
This is an improvement on the Cob since it regularizes the thickness and is more compressed. Here, two parallel planks form the formwork, into which the stiff mud is thrown. This is then rammed down using a ramrod.
4.Wattle and Daub
This system uses mud as a plaster to cover thin panels of cane/split bamboo which has been woven together and held in place by poles.
Need for stabilization
Every material has its own inherent drawbacks that do not allow it’s ideal use in all situations. As far as mud is concerned, its drawback is its susceptibility to moisture and termites. With the advancement of technology in these modern times, it is possible to combat this problem effectively to arrive at a practical solution. Nearly all types of mud can be made into excellent building materials by a process known as Stabilization.
Stabilization
The quality of mud can be remarkably increased by means of stabilization. Nearly any soil can be made into a better building material by the addition of the correct stabilizer. This is done by adding sand, cement, etc to mud. Stabilization helps in cementing the particles of mud together, thereby increasing its strength. It also helps in decreasing its susceptibility to moisture. Furthermore, stabilization reduces the shrinking and swelling of mud.
Stabilizers
A great number of substances may be used for soil stabilization. Because of the many different kinds of soils and the many types of stabilizers, there is not one answer for all cases.
The commonly used stabilizers are sand, clay, lime, cement, sodium silicate etc. In addition to these materials, locally available materials like straw, coconut oil, cow dung, cattle urine etc are also used for strengthening mud. The stabilization of mud depends on a number of factors that include the quality of mud, the type of construction it is used for, the climate and the availability of materials.
Stabilized mud blocks – features: -
• Environmentally sustainable and eco-friendly material
• Cost – effective
• Energy efficient material
• 20-30% cheaper than fired bricks
• Good stability
• Good resistance to hurricane and rain
• Suitable for all climates
• Low skill needed
• The technology involved is interesting and based on the self-help method.
Making stabilized mud blocks
Stage 1- Ascertaining the suitability of soil
The suitability of the soil is checked by various tests such as Sedimentation test, Compaction test, Ribbon test, Box test etc.
Stage 2- Mixing of stabilizer and selected soil and enough quantity of water
The stabilizer should be mixed thoroughly with the selected soil, which has been previously sieved and tested for organic matter and clumps. Add just enough water to make it workable.
Stage 3- Mechanical process of compression
The prepared earth is loaded into the mould box and the mix is compressed. The finished product is ejected and gently removed. It is then placed on edge on the curing site.
Stage 4- Stacking and curing
The proper curing of stabilized mud blocks is important for its stability. The blocks should dry out as slowly as possible to avoid cracks etc. While curing, the blocks should be shaded. Cement stabilized blocks should be sprinkled with water during the first few days. Curing time is around two weeks. After that the bricks should be stacked in such a way that maximum air circulation is facilitated. Dry storage should last at least two weeks.
Quality control
- Ascertain the suitability of the soil before use. Make sure that it is free from organic matter.
- Select the lowest amount of stabilizer that will make the blocks good enough to satisfy the requirements.
- All forms of mud are less prone to cracking if dried slowly in the shade and not in the strong sun.
- After the blocks are made, they should be stacked in such a way as to facilitate maximum air circulation
- Pressed soil blocks are usually very smooth and it is difficult to apply plaster on the surface. It is better either to give two coats of whitewash or a coat of home made water proof paint.
Possibilities…..
Mud is a very useful and versatile building material. The development in technology has facilitated the widening of horizons for its use in a variety of situations. But there remains lot more ground to cover before it can be applied universally. Ongoing research is bound to come up with solutions to the last remaining technicalities that have to be overcome before mud gains its rightful place as the most environmentally sustainable among the building materials .For now this remains a dream. But then in Le Corbusier’s words, “ what gives our dreams their daring is that they can be achieved.”
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Shankarmoorthy
Joined: 31 Oct 2006
Posts: 11
Location: ILLINOIS
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nhorst
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:41 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Angie,
I have been building structures with stiff mud, domes--spherical and parabolic. I design them to function as kilns and by firing them to high temperature the result is a monolithic ceramic structure.
I'd be happy to tell you more . . .
Nathan |
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csintexas
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Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Posts: 1719
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 7:37 am Post subject: |
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Hi Nathan, I have read about that not long ago, It looks pretty cool.
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Chris Stewart
Modern Texas Home Project |
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nhorst
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 9:19 pm Post subject: Ceramic Houses |
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Yeah, Nader Khalili wrote 'Ceramics Houses' a while ago--that and my work with large pottery kilns has lead me to this idea.
Where did you read of the practice?
I heard someone mention that maybe people did some firing of adobe structured in W. Africa, but have not verified this.
Check out the Mousgoum Toleks in N. Cameroon for some amazing adobe domes--I think thin shell adobe constructions, fired to high temperature, can offer some amazing design opportunities and functionality. |
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csintexas
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Joined: 06 Feb 2006
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Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:17 am Post subject: |
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I can't remember where I came across that link but I would guess that it was here. The person also invented or used a sand bag system maybe.
What it the largest space you have fired that way?
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Chris Stewart
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nhorst
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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Ya, that would have been Khalili, he is working with superadobe--sandbags with stabilized earth and threads of barbed wire between the layers. Arches and vaults can be cast with the stabilized earth.
But cement is the stabilizer, at about 10% content.
I have fired a 10' diameter dome. Looking for the opportunity to build a functional structure, like a shed or a small studio, that would double as a pretty good sized kiln that a bobcat or forklift could drive into.
One day on my own place, or sooner for someone else's project! |
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csintexas
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Joined: 06 Feb 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 8:51 am Post subject: |
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10 ft. seems feasible, especially if a few are combined. It seems like that other article mentioned Iran (or that region) as some of the first and oldest existing structures.
What do you think it would cost to build a 10' dome?
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Chris Stewart
Modern Texas Home Project |
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nhorst
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:04 am Post subject: |
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If you use a parabolic shape, instead of spherical, you can build much larger. There are some learning curves that go into building with stiff mud, and of course the firing process is pretty involved. That's why Nader sort of diverged from actually firing the structures--in the end, he wasn't really a potter, and didn't have the specific technical knowledge to be able to simplify and conceptualize possible efficiencies in the process.
That is to say that there is a lot of labor, but it is sped up with some clayworking equipment--a heavy duty pug mill goes a long way, but a good crew of workers is essential.
In terms of materials, you should be able to use local materials, with maybe 30% additives like sawdust, straw, sand, and clay--depending on the local material(s) composition.
Another question is about fuel availability--a wood firing would be possible, but again involves lots of labor.
Depending on the project, I would say 5-8 thousand would be a good ballpark budget (again, most of that is labor, and would be reduced if less additives to the local material are required).
Are you thinking about building something like this? |
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Antisthenes
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 561
Location: Phoenix
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:05 am Post subject: |
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i built a 12' dome for under 1000$
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csintexas
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Joined: 06 Feb 2006
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Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:17 am Post subject: |
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No it wouldn't probably be used in my area, I just think it is interesting. It would make a pretty neat studio, it seems like you could find some clients at that price point.
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Chris Stewart
Modern Texas Home Project |
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twinklesweetpie
Joined: 29 Nov 2006
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:33 am Post subject: try this |
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| there's a lot of work done in mud in the regions of kutch and auroville in india... you could look up the site auroville.org, you'll find some descriptions, project details and images as well... |
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nhorst
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:41 am Post subject: |
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Indeed, Auroville is an amazing world of domes--but I see mostly building with more traditional adobe blocks, no 'mud' construction, and no firing of structures.
The 10' dome for $1,000 is interesting, was that a mud structure? Seems that the main cost is labor for mud structures, and that is hugely variable of course depending on where you are.
India is of course really cheap with labor, and the US not so. Would love to hear more. |
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Antisthenes
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 561
Location: Phoenix
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:22 am Post subject: |
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no not mud, Pumice-crete (the lightest weight aggregate) and its 12' not 10
with plans for a 60' dia one (this is just the prototype)
phoenix (the reason this will be the ultimate tests of the solar passive design i am integrating) pictures/renderings soon in a separate thread, i don't want to
'hijack' this one
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The most necessary/useful piece of learning is that which unlearns what is untrue: 'evil'
may be acquired, Happiness through virtue which is based on knowledge!/? |
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