| Forum: | Building And Renovating Your Own Castle |
| Topic: | Rammed Earth |
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Brian ------------------ Brian ------------------ In Britain some mottes are made of horizontal layers of rammed soil (others are scarped natural mounds), although this isn't really the same as rammed earth wall construction. The main problem with rammed earth construction is, I gather, the suseptibility to water erosion from rain, hence the frequancy of rammed earth construction in the worlds dryer places. In the UK mottes and banks have to have sloped sides and turf covering to minimise the effect of water erosion and the weather is much too damp to allow from rammed earth walls even with external waterproofing (although some experiment house builders are trying it I think.) ------------------ ------------------ Gordon. [This message has been edited by wurdsmiff (edited 10-08-2000).]canadab While I am suffering through the painstakingly slow environmental assessment process I thought I'd start a discussion of the use of rammed (compressed) earth as a castle building material. I'll give Gordon first crack at this one... if for no better reason than I am about to drop from a long business trip. 
I'll add my input to the thread in the morning.
If you can dream it, you can make it a reality.wurdsmiff Why me? canadab Heheh. Why not you? You've seen a multitude of building styles from wooden hillforts and earthworks to the grand stone structures. Your insight is worthy of being sought out. (ok.. enough sucking up eh?) The use of earth as a primary building material goes as far back as mankind itself. Mud huts, adobe, straw brick, and pressed (rammed) earth have been used in construction since before biblical times. I have revisited the idea and found some wonderful structures built primarilly of earth. Take for instance this 5 story building in Germany: (http://www.hahaha.com.au/rammed.earth/weilburg.htm ). Pretty impressive for the stuff of mudpies. I am including some additional links to pics and building material sites for the interested parties... and you, G.
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. http://www.hahaha.com.au/rammed.earth/kiwi.htm
. http://www.hahaha.com.au/rammed.earth/narrogin.htm
. http://www.apparatus.com/reed.html
. http://www.apparatus.com/guest.html
. http://www.castearth.com/
If you can dream it, you can make it a reality.duncan Canadab, this topic would be better suited for the Building Blocks Forum.
What sort of info do you need sence you already have a good source? Erik Schmidt I can't contribute much to this subject, but thought I'd let you know that rammed earth construction is used extensively in the drier parts of Spain, which is most of the country's centre. It was even used in castles of the area, I saw a couple of examples while I was there. If you'd like to know the names of the castles or some other info, let me know.
ErikPhilip Davis I suppose it's also worth mentioning that the worlds greatest fortification, the Great Wall of China, is, in many places, made from rammed earth and is in excess of 2000 years old.
And as I rode by Dalton-Hall Beneath the turrets high, A maiden on the castle-wall Was singing merrily: The Outlaw by Sir Walter Scott
http://www.castlesontheweb.com/members/philipdavis/index.html wurdsmiff A few points;
When begining a discussion the format is usually in that of a question or statement of relevant points in order that the discussion can develop from the replies.
It is not polite to suggest a discussion and simply leave it for others to do the work for you. It could be interpreted as antagonistic to go as far as nominating a specific person as has been done here. Contributions and replies to CQ work on a voluntary basis, people contributing when they wish and on topics about which they feel they can answer, and that goes for the moderators too. We carry out our duties here at the expense of our own telephone bills and in our own time, with no reward other than knowing that we may have helped, and adding to our own knowledge in the process.
Canadab well knows that my interest lies in the history and distribution of Scottish Castles, though I also have a wider knowledge. This does not include the use of rammed earth as yet -it hardly seems a suitable building material for Scotland's wet climate. The links he has provided are all to examples of modern use of this material in construction, taking the discussion further outwith my main interest.
I will contribute to any debate where I feel I can contribute to the meaningful discussion, even this one.However like all other members of CQ I reserve the right to reply when I choose, and feel that I can contribute in a positive manner.
I agree with Philip's comments on water erosion, and would add that the climate here is why fired clay brick is used here rather than other soil based produts in more modern buildings. Waterproofing of our buildings is a major concern. Phillip's points on motte building are also accurate to the Scottish scene, where alternate layers of earth and stone were used to provide stability. That said, Many scottish mottes collapsed later, due to the weight of stone keeps built on their summits.
Demeure par la verite
- Mason family motto.
Visit my web-site at
www.castlesontheweb.com/members/wurdsmiff/castles.htm
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