Studies on the Ageing of Cement Stabilized Rammed Earth Material in Different Exposure Conditions

Area of Science:

• Construction Materials Science
• Civil Engineering
• Building Durability

Background:

• Cement-stabilized rammed earth (CSRE) is a sustainable building material with historical roots.
• Portland cement is added to traditional rammed earth to enhance its properties.
• Understanding the long-term performance of CSRE in diverse environments is crucial for its wider adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the deterioration of CSRE under various natural weather exposure conditions over five years.
• To assess the impact of long-term exposure on both visual and mechanical properties of CSRE.
• To analyze the durability and strength characteristics of CSRE in a humid continental climate.

Main Methods:

• Wall panels of CSRE were subjected to five years of natural weathering.
• Compression tests were performed on specimens extracted from the weathered panels.
• Visual inspection of material wear was conducted alongside mechanical testing.

Main Results:

• Natural weather conditions significantly deteriorated the unconfined compressive strength of CSRE.
• Specimens with higher cement content exhibited greater strength degradation.
• No direct correlation was found between visible surface wear and reduction in compressive strength.

Conclusions:

• CSRE strength characteristics are negatively impacted by long-term natural weathering, despite minimal visible external damage.
• The study highlights the importance of mechanical testing to assess CSRE durability, as visual cues can be misleading.
• Findings provide critical data for understanding CSRE behavior in humid continental climates.