Author(s)

M. Olivier & A. Mesbah

Abstract

Behaviour of ancient and new structures made out of raw earth M. Olivier, A. Mesbah Laboratoire Geomateriaux de VENTPE, URA du France ABSTRACT Earth is both one of the most ancient and modern building materials. Though the knowledge about it is only empirical - and thus difficult to transmit - earthen houses have been built for thousands of years. However, nowadays, there is no way of calculating or checking a cupola among the billions built in the world. This paper will first present the different types of architectures and technologies which have been developed with this material, depending on the local soils, and the social and economical environment. We will also present some of the technical solutions adopted to realise these structures. Then, we will present the modernisation of these technics, still using earth, which might be used to repair or modify some of these old buildings, in order to disturb as little as possible the basic structures. We

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