Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/Earthbag houses

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Earthbag building techniques in which the earth can be filled with natural, earthen materials; they can be flexibly arranged into a wide range of shapes; if protected from the sun, the bags and their contents will not rot over time; they can be fashioned into domes, so that other tensile roof materials are not needed; they are inexpensive; they are simple to use without much experience.

It's an inexpensive method to create structures which are both strong and can be quickly built. It is a natural building technique that evolved from historic military bunker construction techniques and temporary flood-control dike building methods.

The technique requires very basic construction materials: sturdy sacks, filled with inorganic material usually available on site. Standard earth bag fill material has internal stability. Either moist subsoil that contains enough clay to become cohesive when tamped, or an angular gravel or crushed volcanic rock used. (Sandbag structures with sand fills are an alternative technology and require very different construction details). Walls are gradually built up by laying the bags in courses — forming a staggered pattern similar to bricklaying.

The walls can be curved or straight, domed with earth or topped with conventional roofs. This is an effective use of local resources and recycled materials to build affordable houses

• Green Building.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthbag_construction
• http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-an-Insulated-Earthbag-House/