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Rammed earth walls are made using stabilized soil compacted in a form work. This method of erection using stabilized soil is fast for earth wall construction. The walls are strengthened using posts at the corners and mid points. The height of the wall formwork is about a course of block. The finishing is done using key pointing on the outside and cement or lime plaster on the inside. The form work can be made using timber or steel. The soil must be stabilized before it is used.

Rammed earth walls are erected by courses. The height of each course is about one foot and The thicknesses is ten inches. The soil is stabilized before putting it in the formwork. This is by mixing ten parts of soil with one part of lime or cement. Water is then added to make a good working consistency. On the window or door opening a frame is done to carry the weight of earth over the opening. A timber frame of ten by two inches is done over all the openings in the earth wall.

The rammed earth construction starts by setting out the wall area. The ground is cleared off all the top soil. A trench is excavated about one foot deep. A mass concrete foundation and a short foundation wall is laid. The wall is done one foot above the ground to hold the hardcore layer. A damp proof membrane is laid on the masonry foundation. Timber formwork is fixed on both sides of the wall. A holder bat is nailed to stop the timber sides from widening.

The soil is mixed with cement and water. The mixture is poured on to the formwork. A rammer is used to pound the mixture until it is compacted and fills the formwork. After the soil mixture dries for one day, the formwork is lifted to the next course. This continues until the desired height of the wall is reached. After the wall is complete including above the openings, a ring beam is cast. The wall corners are done with posts to carry any loads above the wall d=from the ring beam.

Andrew Karundu Is A Building Economist, Providing Home Based Solutions To Fixing, Repairing, Remodeling And Redesigning Homes. He Uses Simple Tried And Tested Methods To Improve Family Lifestyles.Visit His Site Here For Adequate Information On Most HOME IMPROVEMENT SOLUTIONS.

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