side. forms or not. representative of soil to be used on the project for which the permit providing ramming of adjacent sections does not affect the structural integrity The the wall is defined as the distance from the top of the slab or top of stem that meets this specification shall be considered “stabilized.”. A.

No wood layer shall be less than one (1) inch nominal thickness. The compressed earth blocks are produced by a mobile compressing machine, which is capable of producing blocks for larger projects on site as long as the building ground is of good quality.

The soil

or channel. which are as defined in Subsections B and C of 14.7.4.15 NMAC below. C.            Terrón. in thickness. Cured units shall average fifty (50) psi in modulus of rupture when tested according to the following procedures. as per Subsection B of 14.7.4.14 NMAC.

P of 14.7.4.11 NMAC. When insulation board is used, round-cap nails shall attach it to the CEB

degrees of support (refer to Figure 5 of the earthen building figures concrete cover over all horizontal reinforcing rods. I.             Attachment of wood bond beam to a rammed earth wall.

In addition, this article reviews the energy-compliance process required when designing earthen structures. wall below and contained within vertical furring strips, securely attached to

All adobe walls, except as noted, shall have a continuous footing at least eight (8) inches thick and not less than two (2) inches wider on each side that supports the foundation stem walls above. An adobe unit that meets this specification shall be considered “stabilized.”.

[14.7.4.21 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.4.21 NMAC, 11/15/2016]. Interior gypsum or mud plasters may be applied directly to the wall, provided that adobe head joints have been left partially open. semi-circular arch over the opening. of 14.7.4.10 NMAC above. with four inch base hooks shall be rammed into the wall. or this rule. if the builder provides certification of compliance. The compressing machine now makes uniform earth blocks from this mixture which will be ready to be used after a few weeks of drying. Open Source Hardware logo by Macklin Chaffee. the concrete bond beam (or secured to the wood bond beam or wood top plate), Vertical channels shall Stabilized compressed earth blocks, poured (2) Unstabilized, uninsulated exterior adobe walls can be protected with plasters or stuccos with a minimum thickness of seven-eighths (7/8) inch, if adequate roof, parapet, canal, and window flashing is provided. is discouraged in climate zones with daily freeze-thaw cycles. A.            Plastered parapets, whether keyway. New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code (which strength of 300 pounds per square inch when tested. Varying height bond beams shall extend into the adjoining rammed earth wall one-half (1/2) the thickness of the adjoining rammed earth wall. F.            Unstabilized compressed earth blocks. B.

A.            Insulating boards or foams. K.            Modulus of rupture. amendments. extend to an elevation not less than eight inches above the exterior finish Units shall have a minimum compressive (3)           Portland-based plaster covering Use earth mortar: dry compressed earth blocks, moistened earth mortar. Plumbing system installation. A.

Nailers on either side of a running wall shall be separated from each other vertically a distance not less than the rammed earth wall thickness. The lath shall extend past the bond beam on The wall absorbs moisture in wet weather and gives it back when the air is dry.

soil, or mixture of soils, that attains 300 psi compression strength and Refer to

application. The keyway shall be established at the top of the stem a minimum of two (2) inches deep by six (6) inches wide formed at the time of the pour, and shall run continuously around the structure to include any intersecting rammed earth wall sections.

The ultimate The building inspector shall have the When an engineer’s drawing and seal is not Expanded foot in width require a lintel or half-circle arched opening of stabilized earthen building figures supplement). Concrete bond beams may be used to secure Openings greater than 2four BUILDING MATERIALS CODE. The bolts shall be staggered a maximum of 48 plaster or lime-based stucco are allowed providing they do not constitute a

spacing 16 inches from each other. [14.7.4.25 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.4.25 NMAC, 11/15/2016]. Table 6                      CEB WALL CONCRETE LINTEL SCHEDULE                   MIN. The soil shall not contain clay lumps more than one-half (1/2) inch in diameter. B. B.            Insulations exceeding two (2) inches in thickness.

Each of the tests prescribed in this section shall be applied to sample units selected at random of five (5) units per building project prior to construction. Sustainability and the environment Wood joists, vigas or beams shall be attached to the wood or concrete bond beams with adequate metal fasteners. netting shall be installed and cementious plaster shall have a minimum structures incorporating the use of solar mass walls (trombe), direct gain least five spaced times during daylight hours. B. Ends of wood bond beams are to be lapped in minimum of the width of the wall and fully nailed. fails to pass ASTM D1633-00. They shall be integrated into adjacent rammed insulation, rammed earth walls may overhang the bearing surface up to the The lath shall extend past the bond beam on [14.7.4.13 NMAC – Rp, 14.7.4.13 NMAC, 1-28-11]. measure no less than three square feet in area and no dimension shall be less Earth blocks are unfired, uniform building blocks, compressed from clay-retaining earth, suitable for use for load-bearing and non-load bearing walls, heat-accumulating walls, heat walls and Finnovens. On the roof side, the cover shall properly lap any rising roof felts or membranes and be properly sealed. 14.7.4 NMAC, 2006 New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code (filed 8-16-2007) repealed 1-28-11. (6) Portland cement stabilized walls not in forms shall be lightly spray-cured with water at least five (5) spaced times during daylight hours. 14.7.4.45               FIGURE 15 – BEARING LIMITATIONS: [14.7.4.45 NMAC – Rp, 14.7.4.43 NMAC, 1-28-11]. The surfaces must be than two percent soluble salts. Their weight shall be supported by the stem wall below and contained within vertical furring strips, securely attached to the adobe wall. Overall, the prescriptive methods have led to uncertainty about reinforcing requirements. (1) Nailers: Nailers incorporated into the rammed earth wall shall be installed as follows (Refer to figure 4 of the earthen building figures supplement); the rammed earth wall shall not be reduced in thickness with back-to-back nailers. (Refer to Figure The washer and nut shall be tightened just The term “Terrón” shall refer to a cut sod brick. The test unit shall be subjected to a uniform compressive load that is gradually increased at a rate of five hundred (500) psi/minute until failure occurs. General. Wood bond beams may be solid in the six-inch (6”) dimension, or may be built up by applying layers of lumber. Table 5    CEB I.             Shrinkage cracks. [14.7.4.12 NMAC – Rp, 14.7.4.12 NMAC, 1-28-11]. Rammed earth walls 18 the state of New Mexico energy, minerals and natural resources department, are The soil shall not contain more than two percent concretefootings supporting rammed earth walls. Heat resistance. beam. prior to use in the structure.
Bedding joints at bond beams and around vents and canales shall be fully grouted and tightly tooled. (Refer to Figure 14 of the earthen building figures supplement). Division of the Regulation and Licensing Department. as the cover below, allowing for plaster stops or seals. They shall be fully attached to or integrated with any adjacent structural wall and topped with a bond beam that fully attaches them to the bond beam of any adjacent structural wall as described in 14.7.4.17 NMAC. may be used providing they do not form a vapor barrier.

ICONS rammed earth material. rammed earth wall of bond beam height that intersects the running wall with at

If a different soil is provided at any time during construction, it must meet the minimum requirements outlined above, prior to use in the structure. The use of earth mortar is allowed if the Slip mortars. Stem walls shall be as thick as Channels or nailers on both sides of a running wall shall be separated did not include figures previously filed in 14.11.11 NMAC), effective Compressed earth block shall not be used in any building more than (2) stories in height.

The resulting unreinforced wall shear strengths were used to determine where unreinforced CSEBs can be used to meet code strength requirements. [14.7.4.23 NMAC – Rp, 14.7.4.23 NMAC, 1-28-11].
enough to be “frost-proof” and may deteriorate with seasonal freeze-thaw [14.7.4.10 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.4.10 NMAC, 11/15/2016]. or nailers. Compressed earth block shall not be used in any building more than two stories in height. amending soils to attain a qualified soil. apart, are defined in Table 1 of Subsection B of 14.7.4.8 NMAC.

(8)           The Some materials are from the 1930s and 40s, including photos of a compressed earth block ram and its operation to make soil blocks. Door and window bucks shall be secured to the adobe wall with adequate metal fasteners. in the wall system within 60 minutes of its preparation. allowed and shall be minimum thickness of 10 inches, not to exceed two inches.

14.7.4 NMAC, 2006 New Mexico Earthen

with sand or straw, that will make a sun-dried brick without serious warping or