• KIEAE Journal
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.95-101
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• 2011

Earth has been used as a building material not only our country but also many foreign countries in the world. In foreign countries, we can often find the high-storied earthen houses which have been maintained for over several hundred years, which means the fact that earth differs in durability according to the methods of utilizing earth. So, the purpose of this study is to progress the fundamental research for utilizing earth as a wall material. Also, the another purpose of this study is to utilize the optimum micro-filler effect which adjusts the grain size of earth and the lime composite which promotes chemical combining power, and so examine whether earth material ensures its high compressive strength. This study applied both of rammed earth method and pour earth method among earth architecture methods. This study investigated compressive strength, slump, and air content according to unit binder weight. On the basis of such experimental results, this study derived the following conclusions. 1) Optimum micro-filler mixtures reduce a lot of fine particles contained in earth. If optimum micro-filler mixtures are used as aggregates, they develop lower W/B and relatively higher strength than general earth. 2) In this study, which uses optimum micro-filler earth mixtures and lime composite, rammed earth method develops 29MPa and pour earth method develops 28MPa in 28 days compressive strength. Such strengths can be utilized in building walls.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2015

Although the interest for earth architecture has been expanded and settled as a part of modern architecture, precisely calculating the ratio of water content in practice is still difficult and the calculation is based on empirical analysis yet. This causes many problems in durability and maintenance of earthen architecture. Therefore, this study investigated to find the easiest way to correctly calculate the appropriate level of water content ratio (AWCR), which can be used in practice. Until now, the workers have checked the AWCR based on their own experience with popular but vague manuals. On this awareness, we studied the several testing methods and found the dropping test which uses the pattern of shape after the sample is dropped. In this point, we studied and developed the definite testing method in terms of process, and shape discrimination. Also we suggest the test recording sheet by using the cobalt chloride($CoCl_2$) whose color is instantly changed when contacts with the moisture. It is believed that this result can help improving the quality and durability of the earthen architecture using the rammed earth method and the efficiency in practice.