Possibilities of developing mixtures for Rammed earth construction, case study: countryside of Damascus

Abstract

Initially, this research deals with the definition of rammed earth construction and the method that was adopted in its implementation locally in Damascus and its countryside. This research is then follows an experimental program to study the suitability of soil in the countryside of Damascus (case study: the town of Ain Menin) for construction with rammed earth through field and laboratory tests. These tests were applied to samples of soil, and after ensuring the suitability of the soil for rammed earth construction, cubic samples (15 x 15 x 15) cm were manufactured, some of which are stabilized with fibers (straw) only, others are stabilized with straw and hydrated lime, and some are stabilized by cement  (only 6%), some of it is stabilized by hydrated lime by only 6%, and finally some of the samples are stabilized by cement and hydrated lime (a ratio of 3% for each - one layer is stabilized with cement and the other layer is stabilized with hydrated lime). then compression and water absorption tests were carried out on these samples and then comparing results.