ABSTRACT
The dynamic behaviour of adobe masonry buildings is quite different from rammed earth buildings due to differences in their modes of failure during earthquakes. To the authors knowledge the only reported study on the dynamic behaviour of rammed earth buildings is by Bui et al. (2011). Hence, the current study is undertaken to understand the response of half scale CSRE building model subjected to base motion. A linear dynamic analysis using Finite Element (FE) technique has
1 INTRODUCTION
Rammed earth construction is receiving renewed attention by researchers across the globe due to its low carbon emission, economic viability, better aesthetics, thermal performance and availability of materials locally. There are many examples of successful application of rammed earth (both stabilized and unstabilized) for wall construction in buildings and can be found in Australia, USA, Europe, Asia and many more countries across the globe (Verma & Mehra 1950, Easton 1982, Houben & Guillaud 2003, Hall 2002, Walker et al. 2005, Jaquin 2008, Jaquin & Augarde 2011). Estimation of embodied energy in CSRE has been examined by Venkatarama Reddy & Prasanna Kumar (2010). Hall et al. (2012) have recently edited a book on modern earth buildings which discusses in a comprehensive manner aspect of materials, mechanical properties, durability issues, construction and applications. Issues of quality control and recommendations for assessment of compressive strength of CSRE have been examined by Ciancio & Gibbings (2012). Ciancio & Beckett (2013) have examined the social, financial and environmental sustainability of rammed earth.
