Ramming earth
Dry soil is powdered, sieved and mixed with straw, lime and natural adhesives. It is then pounded into an even mixture manually or by having bullocks tread over the mixture. The damp soil mixture is compressed into blocks and put in between wood planks. The blocks are compacted manually or with machines. When the planks are removed, the wall section remains standing and is allowed to dry out. Rammed earth walls have good thermal mass. Heat penetrates it slowly. This keeps homes cool in summers. The walls also act as sound barriers. Rammed earth structures are fire and termite resistant.
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