Energy efficiency applied to vernacular architecture, case of the rammed earth buildings: A literature review

Energy efficiency applied to vernacular architecture, case of the rammed earth buildings: A literature review

CHEIKHI Wiçal, BABA Khadija

Abstract. Rammed earth architecture is a widely spread vernacular architecture on a global scale and represents an iconic construction model in our country. Indeed, this architecture is an integral component of Moroccan architectural heritage. Long neglected in Favor of modern construction techniques, this method is nowadays experiencing a renaissance due to its energy, environmental, socio-economic, and aesthetic qualities. However, although its aesthetic and historical value is well-established, its energy, ecological, and environmental aspects deserve further exploration. This article aims to shed light on these aspects by placing them within the current energy trend, through the study of the thermal characteristics of the construction material and the analysis of the conceptual choices of rammed earth architecture in Morocco.

Keywords
Vernacular Architecture, Rammed Earth, Raw Material, Clay, Mud Wall, Energy Efficiency

Published online 1/10/2025, 8 pages
Copyright © 2025 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA

Citation: CHEIKHI Wiçal, BABA Khadija, Energy efficiency applied to vernacular architecture, case of the rammed earth buildings: A literature review, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 47, pp 319-326, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903391-37

The article was published as article 37 of the book Vernacular Architecture

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

References
[1] G. Minke, Building with earth: Design and technology of a sustainable architecture, Birkhäuser, Germany, 2006.
[2] Bjørn Berge, Chris Butters, Filip Henley, The ecology of building materials, Architectural Press, 2009.
[3] F. Pacheco-Torgal, S. Jalali, Earth construction: Lessons from the past for future eco-efficient construction, Construction and Building Materials 29 (2012) 512–519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.10.054
[4] L.A.-M.W. News, Ouarzazate’s Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah ‘Most Distinguished’ African UNESCO Heritage Site: Afrika News, (n.d.). https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2017/12/235653/ouarzazate-ait-ben-haddou-kasbah-african-unesco-heritage-site-afrika-news (accessed October 11, 2024).
[5] M. Lamrani, Étude du comportement thermique des matériaux locaux (Caractérisation et modélisation), PHD thesis, Mohammed V university, 2018.
[6] J.C Morel, A Mesbah, M Oggero, P Walker, Building houses with local materials: means to drastically reduce the environmental impact of construction, Building and Environment 36 (2001) 1119–1126.
[7] W. Cheikhi, K. Baba, Study of indoor performances of a building using Rammed earth, MATEC Web of Conferences 149 (2018).
[8] W.L. Paul, P.A. Taylor, A comparison of occupant comfort and satisfaction between a green building and a conventional building, Building and Environment 43 (2008) 1858–1870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2007.11.006
[9] M.Á. Porta-Gándara, E. Rubio, J.L. Fernández, Economic feasibility of passive ambient comfort in Baja California dwellings, Building and Environment 37 (2002) 993–1001. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-1323(01)00085-3
[10] 28 April 2000 Anna Salleh-ABC Science Online Friday, CSIRO gives mud walls a thumbs down, (2000). https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2000/04/28/121761.htm (accessed October 11, 2024).
[11] D. Baggs, N. Mortensen, Thermal Mass in Building Design, (2006).
[12] D. Allinson, M. Hall, Investigating the optimisation of stabilised rammed earth materials for passive air conditioning in buildings, in: Bengalore, India, 2007.
[13] S. Fotios, A Revised Kruithof Graph Based on Empirical Data, LEUKOS 13 (2017) 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502724.2016.1159137
[14] L. Soudani, M. Woloszyn, A. Fabbri, J.-C. Morel, A.-C. Grillet, Energy evaluation of rammed earth walls using long term in-situ measurements, Solar Energy 141 (2017) 70–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2016.11.002
[15] N. Mortensen, The Naturally Air Conditioned House, Oom2.Forumotion.Com (n.d.). https://oom2.forumotion.com/t36617-the-naturally-air-conditioned-house (accessed October 11, 2024).
[16] P. Taylor, M.B. Luther, Evaluating rammed earth walls: a case study, Solar Energy 76 (2004) 79–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2003.08.026
[17] A. Wilson, Thermal Mass and R-value: Making Sense of a Confusing Issue, BuildingGreen (1998). https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/thermal-mass-and-r-value-making-sense-confusing-issue (accessed October 11, 2024).
[18] S. Goodhew, R. Griffiths, Sustainable earth walls to meet the building regulations, Energy and Buildings 37 (2005) 451–459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2004.08.005.
[19] M. Hall, D. Allinson, Assessing the effects of soil grading on the moisture content-dependent thermal conductivity of stabilised rammed earth materials, Applied Thermal Engineering 29 (2009) 740–747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2008.03.051
[20] P. Mendonça, Non-structural adobe walls in housing buildings : environmental performance, International Symposium on Earthen Structures, Bengalore, India (2007).
[21] M.L. Parra-Saldivar, W. Batty, Thermal behaviour of adobe constructions, Building and Environment 41 (2006) 1892–1904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2005.07.021
[22] V. Soebarto, Analysis of indoor performance of houses using rammed earth walls, in: Glasgow, Scotland, 2009: pp. 1530–1537.
[23] M. Hall, D. Allinson, Assessing the moisture-content-dependent parameters of stabilised earth materials using the cyclic-response admittance method, Energy and Buildings 40 (2008) 2044–2051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2008.05.009
[24] W. Cheikhi, K. Baba, A. Nounah, Effect of adding insulation on the energy performances of rammed earth buildings in hot and arid climates, E3S Web of Conferences 150 (2020).