Rammed Earth Specialists

Rammed earth has become an unrivalled choice of building material for Australian architects and homeowners. 

Their timeless aesthetics and durability places them perfectly in the Australian landscape. They offer our clients a means of connecting to rich past of human made structures with the technology of the 21st century, all the while combining the attributes a good building should have  strength, beauty, and environmental sustainability.

Sustainable comfort

Rammed earth buildings are extremely comfortable living environments due the very high thermal mass qualities and the use of low toxin natural materials. They also address the global push for a more sustainable, low emission future by using low embodied energy materials, and energy efficiency. If common sense design practices are used, the walls will stabilise the day/night temperatures inside a home. In summer this represents keeping the internal spaces cool on hot days. In winter, when an appropriate heating system is used internally, the walls will absorb and retain the heat, keeping the space warmer for longer. This can drastically reduce the building’s energy costs.

Full Service

Earthbuild Constructions will connect and liaise with architects, owners, engineers and certifying authorities to achieve the right outcome for our clients. We offer specialist advice, regarding structural engineering, project scheduling, pricing and project delivery for all residential and commercial builds.

Earthbuild Constructions are not limited to rammed earth walls. Our team of experienced carpenters can carry out all aspects of residential construction for out clients. Although rammed earth is our specialty, we have the equipment and capacity to carry out a spectrum of construction projects. This can be invaluable for our clients in terms of the continuation and compatibility of the rammed earth elements of their building to the more conventional elements of the project.

For a home that is extremely comfortable, energy efficient, non-toxic & environment­ally sustainable—contact Earthbuild Constructions to talk about what we can do for you.

Process and Specifications

Rammed Earth Walls  

Rammed earth walls are composed of small granular size aggregates. The materials are mixed on site using a skid steer loader, where between 8-10% cement and waterproofing agents are added. The material is placed inside interlocking steel and plywood formwork and intensively compacted using air compressed pneumatic rammers. The formwork is stripped the same day revealing the finished wall.

Once cured, the internal walls are coated with specialised earth bonding emulsion leaving the walls with an extremely durable acrylic clear coat. The external walls are coated with rammed earth water repellent.

Compressive Strength and Durability 

Rammed earth walls are incredibly strong and durable, ranging in width from 300mm to 500mm. The combination of correct screened aggregate material, cement and chemicals, brings an average MPA strength of 5MPA to the walls.

The walls do not require additional reinforcing steel, and have a load bearing capacity of any equivalent sized masonry wall.

The weatherproofing agents used on the walls after completion are extremely reliable in preventing any moisture penetration as well as providing excellent dust proofing.

Rammed earth wall fire rating

4 hour NBTC report no. 1839 1 of 4 building mediums rated for high risk fire zones

Rammed earth acoustic rating 

Sound transmission class 57. NBTC report No.1840

Rammed earth walls accelerated erosion test

0-0mm/min. Materials consultant Aus Pty ltd report No. 202/87