Sustainable Building Materials and Technologies of Stabilized Earth

Saddek Mansouri, Loubna Triki, and Sara Zeghichi

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Larbi Tebessi, Algérie

Abstract: Through Centuries clay was used as a building material; it is one of the most known materials worldwide for its thermal properties, its wide availability and low cost. In Algeria, the use of clay in construction is very old; it is used not only in companions in the countryside but also in cities. Almost all the so-called traditional constructions are made with soil associated with other extra materials such as hay or mineral additives. Abandoned recently because of its low resistance to water, clay is becoming again a good material due to new techniques of stabilization and promotion of the reinforced earth material for the future. One of the major concerns was to improve the mechanical properties of the clay while keeping its essential advantage of a low cost and sustainability. For this purpose, some methods and techniques are developed such as stabilization carried out in many countries, and encouraged by the United Nations. Usually earth has thermal and economical properties higher than those of the concrete or other manufactured materials. Housing developers are content to meet minimum standards of insulation, without using the heating system still bringing comfort. We cannot relay only on highly sophisticated techniques to design a more efficient housing, but by using natural elements such as (sun, wind, clay and vegetation). Such an idea inserts man in his environment and truly is sustainable. Traditional housing, present beyond its charm, architectural features allowing it to naturally adopt the climate and use the properties of local materials. From previously implemented solutions, it becomes a technique of reinforcing clay construction, improving modern processes, adopting the needs of contemporary living and comfort. Housing and climate become interdependent through a better understanding and to a high mastery of the well-tempered buildings. Design a building as a protective shell, providing climate control is optimized with respect to natural features and local materials but not to stand against climate and nature brutally using a heater or an air conditioner.

Key words: technology, construction, clay, building materials, sustainable, environment, thermal comfort