Earthbag Housing

At a glance..

This thesis explores the structural behaviour of earthbag housing under vertical compressive loading, in an attempt to broaden our quantitative understanding of this alternative building technique. Furthermore, this technique is assessed, along with other alternative construction techniques, for suitability in southern Sri Lanka, an area heavily damaged by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

The details..

In Earthbag Housing: Structural Behaviour and Applicability in Developing Countries, Bryce Callaghan Daigle delves into an alternative building technique that meets our structural needs with lower energy and material consumption. The book focuses on exploring the potential of earthbag housing as a solution to permanent housing shortages caused by natural disasters like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It also assesses other alternative construction techniques suitable for developing countries.

The author presents his research findings regarding the strength of unplastered earthbags when subjected to vertical compressive loading tests. He compares this technology's performance against conventional stud-frame houses using various fill materials such as soil-filled bags, straw bale houses, clay bricks, rammed earth walls and bamboo structures among others.

Daigle shares observational research from his site visit to southern Sri Lanka after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster combined with resource availability data and interviews with locals about their experiences rebuilding homes. His findings suggest that earthbag housing is a promising technique for constructing affordable homes along coastal regions where there are limited resources available due to conflict or economic challenges.

Overall, Earthbag Housing provides valuable insights into sustainable alternatives for meeting global demand while addressing environmental issues such as climate change and resource depletion.