Author(s): Hugo Houben, Hubert Guillaud
Publisher: Intermediate Technology
Paperback: 372 pages
ISBN: 185339193X
ISBN-13: 978-1853391934
Order From: Amazon.com
(links will open in a new window)
Earth Construction: A Comprehensive Guide
Reissue Edition
Paperback Publication date: October 1993
This comprehensive, illustrated handbook deals with the world’s oldest and most widespread building material. Although earth is extremely versatile and can be used at relatively low cost, it is essential that users have a good knowledge of its real potential in order to use it to best effect, and to avoid misuse.
This book assembles, orders and clarifies information about building with earth which has up till now been available only in scattered form. Text supported by illustrations deals with the essential aspects of earth construction, taking one step at a time–decision-making, planning, design and the realization of a project–so that the procedures, benefits and precautions are easily accessible and understood by those involved at every level. The accumulated knowledge and experience of centuries of use are presented alongside current technologies and research findings. There is a chapter devoted to disaster-resistant construction techniques, and extensive bibliographies throughout for those who require more details about a particular subject area.
This is essential reading for anyone involved in construction projects at all levels, including decision-makers and planners, building inspectors, architects and engineers, technicians, building promoters and bricklayers, and sub-contractors–as well as students and academics–enabling them to visualize and plan programs which profit from earth’s wide range of qualities and ameliorate its defects, to test, stabilize and build with the local soil, and to find solutions to problems as they arise.
Table of Contents
1.Earth construction
2.Soil
3.Soil identification
4.Soil stabilization
5.Soil suitability
6.Tests
7.Characteristics
8.Construction methods
9.Production methods
10.Design guidelines
11.Disaster-resistant construction
12.Earth wall finishes
13.Bibliography
