Mabale regenerative skills

hub rammed earth

structure

Laboratory Trials
Rammed Earth Compressive Strength Tests

Prepared for
So Foot Alliance

Conducted By
National University of
Science and Technology
Department of Civil
and Water Engineering
Department of Architecture

FACULTIES OF ENGINEERING &

THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Led by Eng F Mudhindi

Date : 04/05/2023

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 Contents
1. Introduction
2. Apparatus and Materials
3. Procedure
4. Results
5. Conclusion
6. References

Introduction
The rammed earth cube test is determined by the compressive strength of set rammed
earth. Via this test is determined whether the rammed earth mix abides to the
speci cations required for the structure. Compressive strength means the ability of a
structure to carry the load on its surface without any de ection or cracks.
Formula for compressive strength for rammed earth is:
Compressive Strength = Maximum Load Cross − Sectional Area
The following are the factors that a ected the compressive strength of the rammed earth:
1. Cube surface roughness
2. Cube edges and corners
3. Lime Strength class
4. Quality of rammed earth materials
5. Quality control during production of rammed earth cubes and angle grinding

Apparatus
1. Compressive Strength Machine
2. Vernier Callipers
3. Metal rule
4. Scale Balance
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 Procedure
1. The Rammed Earth Cubes were unwrapped and had their geometric dimensions
measured using a vernier callipers and metal rule
2. The specimens were then determined density using the relative density to water and
their mass.
3. The loading rate was then calculated by multiplying the dry density by 15MPa.
4. The cube was placed in the compression machine and loaded until failure. The
ultimate compressive strength was recorded.

Results
Sampling Conditions: Hot
Sampled By: RoadLab
Cubes Received: Ms Thokozani
Date Cubes Delivered: 04/05/2023
Cubes made for Testing (Total): 13
Cubes Booked in for testing (Total): 13

Mix Design Technologies:

Sample Mark Pitsand Gravel Water Lime Fly ash Cement Load kN. Compressive strength

1 9 7 1 0 0 0 8.8 0.3

2 13 3 1 0 0 0 7.8 0.3

3 8 8 1 0.25 0.25 0 4.0 0.1

4 8 8 1 0 0 0.25 27,0 1.0

5 16 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

6 8 8 1 0 0 16.0 0.5

7 8 8 1 0 0 0.5 29.0 1.24

8 12 4 1 0 0 9.5 0.43

9 8 8 1 0.25 0 0 0 0.6

10 11 5 1 0 0 0 4000 0

11 8 8 1 0.5 0 0 0 0

12 8 8 1 0 0 1 0 0

13 8 8 1 1 0 0 0 0

 Compressive Strength:
Sample Client Mark Date Made Date Tested Age During Mass of Maximum Cross Compressio
Mark DD/MM/ Testing/days Specimen/ Load/ N Sectional n Strength/
YYYY kg Area/mm2 Nmm-2

1 23/03/2023 04/05/2023 42 13 8800 29700 0.3

2 24/03/2023 04/05/2023 41 11 7800 26000 0.3

3 31/03/2023 04/05/2023 34 12 4000 40000 0.1

4 28/03/2023 04/05/2023 37 10 27000 27000 1.0

5 27/03/2023 04/05/2023 38 13 N/A* 45000 N/A

6 17/03/2023 04/05/2023 48 13 16000 32000 0.5

7 28/03/2023 04/05/2023 37 14 29000 23387 1.24

8 24/03/2023 04/05/2023 41 12 9500 22093 0.43

9 29/03/2023 04/05/2023 36 12 13300 22167 0.6

10 24/03/2023 04/05/2023 41 13 N/A 47030 N/A

11 29/03/2023 04/05/2023 36 13 4000 20000 0.2

12 28/03/2023 04/05/2023 37 13 45200 30540 1.48

13 29/03/2023 04/05/2023 36 10 N/A 46900 N/A

Results marked N/A are samples that failed to t in the compression test machine

Conclusion
According to the results, the cubes were well designed, though the strength can be
improved through sieving, increasing compaction, adjusting the misplaced design and
curing the cubes in cube molds.
The laboratory tests were a success as quantitative representation of the quality of the
rammed earth panels was obtained.

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