Jute fabric to improve the mechanical properties of rammed earth constructions

Despite the awareness that earth cannot provide the same mechanical performances of other building materials, it should be asserted that this natural material is suitable for a large part of the construction types. With the ultimate aim to improve the carrying capacity of the earthen constructions, especially in the seismic areas, an experimental campaign was carried out on specimens and structural elements made with rammed earth and reinforced with natural and biodegradable fibre fabric. For these experimental studies we chose to use the jute fabric. The results obtained showed that the strengthening method improve the earthen specimens strength in order to achieve a standard of quality of the earth material. In fact fabric has the immediate consequence of limiting shrinkage and increasing mechanical properties, stability and durability. Acting with appropriate corrections and devices, rammed earth buildings can be constructed even in areas subject to seis-mic risk, guaranteeing acceptable safety margin.