ABSTRACT
Construction using material made from raw earth may seem to lie in the domain of the historic or vernacular. However, using Devon Cob as an example of a viable earthen building material, this paper shows that raw earth offers a real and sustainable alternative to today's more conventional construction materials. The viability of Devon Cob is shown through a clearly defined rationale which guides material selection, mix, and compaction methods. The adoption of this rationale within a rigorous laboratory test program produces a material of consistent load bearing capacity for a given sample of raw earth. This paper addresses the relationship between raw earth samples and highlights the importance of the earthen matrix to material performance. The pressure membrane test is introduced as a means of assessing the earthen matrix and classifying the fabric of Devon Cobs at a micro structural level. The ability to classify at this level offers a clear insight into the durability of this sustainable building material which has been proven against the historical background of its use. In exploring Devon Cob as a contemporary material, this paper concludes by explaining why material selection has determined those structures that endure today.
