TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
ADOBE CONSRUCTION
Kahleen O’Donnell
ADOBE
INTRODUCTION TO ADOBE
Adobe is a Spanish word for mud brick. It is a natural building material
made from sand, clay, water, and sticks, straw, and/or manure. It is
then shaped into bricks using molds and dried in the sun.
Adobe is the oldest type of brick in the Western Hemisphere . Adobe
bricks are made from adobe soil, comprised of clay, quartz, and
other minerals, and baked in the sun.
Adobe soil can be found in dry regions throughout the world, but
most notably in Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern
United States.
The oldest structures in earth dating back to at least 8300 BC are in
adobe, as well as some buildings around 900 years old, which are still
in use. In North America, bricks were used as early as the seventeenth
century.
Today Adobe brick construction has been partially adapted to economi-
cal, social and technical changes. Since 1998 the technique is accommo-
dated in the NZ Earth Building Standards.
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
STRUCTRURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Adobe walls are load bearing, the adobe must have sufficient
compressive strength.
Construction should be designed so as to avoid lateral structural
loads that would cause bending loads.
The building codes require the building sustain a 1 g lateral ac-
celeration earthquake load. Such an acceleration will cause later-
al loads on the walls, resulting in shear and bending and induc-
ing tensile stresses.
Adobe is a brittle material that is hydrophilic and porous offer-
ing, low tensile strength, and high compressive strength.
CONSTRUCTION OF ADOBE
ADOBE CONSRUCTION
ADOBE CONSRUCTION
Sand and clay are combined with water to make a mud mixture
The mud mixture is put into wooden forms and leveled
by hand. It can be made into any size or shape
The bricks are removed from the forms and laid onto a
surface to bake in the sun
After dryng for a few days, the bricks are set on their edges for at
least four weeks of air-drying.
Once finished the bricks are layed with mortar. Mud works best
because it shrinks and swells with the bricks. A cement mortar is
typically too strong and rigid.
The bricks are stacked to make thick walls -- 10 inches. This mass
helps cool the house in the summer and warm it in winter.
CONSTRUCTION OF ADOBE
ADOBE CONSRUCTION
CONSRUCTION CONTINUED
Leave openings for doors and windows. There shouldn't be too many, as they will
weaken the structure. Use wooden lintels over openings.
A coating is selected. Builders use coatings of mud plaster, whitewash, lime plaster and
cement stucco to protect adobe walls.
Add finishes protect the adobe wall from water damage, but need to
be reapplied periodically
In countries with a big demand, adobe bricks are produced mechanically
in commercial brick making yards or there is the option of hiring a brick
making machine to make adobes on site.
ADVANTAGES
ADOBE CONSRUCTION
Pros
Adobe bricks are a fireproof, durable yet biodegradable, and a
non-toxic building material
Bricks can be made on-site
Adobe is a green material, since it is made from all natural
components
Construction steps are easy
The material charatistics allows much room for creativity.
Adobe offers great thermal mass due to its massive walls
The massive walls require a large and relatively long
input of heat from the sun and from the surrounding
air before they warm through to the interior.
DISADVANTTAGES
ADOBE CONSRUCTION
Cons
Adobe construction typically needs dry, temperate weather
There are few construction workers that are skilled in adobe
construction
Rodents can burrow through the bricks and weaken walls
(something that can be prevented or lessened by using plas-
ter).
Adobe is known to be particularly susceptible to earthquake
damage
Buildings are typically only 1-2 stories tall
MODERN CONSTRUCTION
ADOBE TODAY
Adobe is still used to create modern homes in
many different climates
Adobe Building Systems LLC practices in
constructing natural and sustainable homes
They specialize in the construction of
adobe brick homes worldwide. Their
construction system allows for vertical
reinforcement in seismic areas, service
columns for plumbing and electrical,
as well as the use of safe and simple
scaffolding built right into the adobe
wall.
ADOBE AROUND THE WORLD
ADOBE CONSRUCTION
Many countries use adobe for their buildings.
The largest structure ever made from adobe bricks was the Bam Citadel,
which suffered serious damage by an earthquake in 2003.
Other large adobe structures are the Huaca del Sol in Peru, with 100 mil-
lion signed bricks, the ciudellas of Chan Chan and Tambo Colorado, both
in Peru.
The Pyramid of the Sun was built of adobe bricks by the Aztecs in the fif-
teenth century and is still standing.
The resilient but lightweight huts have been erected
in Nepal - and are now popping up in west London
WORK CITED
SOURCES USED
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
