Influence of particle grading on the hygromechanical properties of hypercompacted earth

Cuccurullo, Alessia; Gallipoli, Domenico; Bruno, Agostino Walter; Augarde, Charles; Hughes, Paul; La Borderie, Christian

doi:10.1007/s41024-019-0066-4

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Authors

Alessia Cuccurullo

Domenico Gallipoli

Agostino Walter Bruno

Professor Charles Augarde charles.augarde@durham.ac.uk
Head Of Department

Professor Paul Hughes paul.hughes2@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Christian La Borderie

Abstract

Civil engineering research is increasingly focusing on the development of sustainable and energy-efficient building materials. Among these materials, raw (unfired) earth constitutes a promising option for reducing the environmental impact of buildings over their entire service life from construction to demolition. Raw earth has been used since old times but only recently has acquired prominence in mainstream building practice. This is mainly because of the development of novel methods to enhance the mechanical, hygroscopic and durability properties of compacted earth without increasing carbon and energy footprints. In this context, the present paper studies the dependency of the strength, stiffness, moisture capacity and water durability of compacted earth on particle grading. Results indicate that the particle size distribution is a key variable in defining the hygromechanical characteristics of compacted earth. The effect of the particle size distribution on the hygromechanical properties of compacted earth may be as important as that of dry density or stabilisation. This study suggests that a fine and well-graded earth mix exhibits higher levels of strength, stiffness, moisture capacity and water durability than a coarse and poorly-graded one.

Citation

Cuccurullo, A., Gallipoli, D., Bruno, A. W., Augarde, C., Hughes, P., & La Borderie, C. (2020). Influence of particle grading on the hygromechanical properties of hypercompacted earth. Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, 5(1), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-019-0066-4

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Nov 9, 2019
Online Publication Date	Nov 23, 2019
Publication Date	Dec 31, 2020
Deposit Date	Nov 27, 2019
Publicly Available Date	Nov 27, 2019
Journal	Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation
Print ISSN	2365-3159
Electronic ISSN	2365-3167
Publisher	Springer
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	5
Issue	1
Article Number	2
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-019-0066-4

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