Experimental and numerical evaluation of the compressive and shear behavior of unstabilized rammed earth

Rammed earth has a longstanding tradition as a construction method and has recently gained renewed interest as an eco-friendly building technique. To employ it effectively in contemporary constructions, proper characterization of its mechanical properties and the development of predictive models become essential. Rammed earth structures usually work under compression, but their low shear strength makes this a key parameter for failure. Considering this, in the present study a mechanical characterization of rammed earth under compression and shear is carried out via laboratory tests, and the results are used to develop a numerical model (finite elements method) that can simulate rammed earth behavior under compressive and shear loads. The results show a good performance of the numerical models, accurately replicating the material behavior observed in laboratory. These numerical models are essential to predict the behavior and ensure an efficient and safe design of rammed earth structures.