Earth Building & Energy Efficient Construction


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[Engineering Services]. . [Energy Efficient Construction]. . [Awards]

Earth Building

Mudbrick, also referred to by the Spanish name of 'Adobe' which means mud or puddled earth, generally refers to the technique of building with sun-dried mud blocks in either load bearing or non load bearing construction. Mudbricks are becoming increasingly commercially available in a range of stabilised and non stabilised bricks.

Mudbrick has several advantages over conventional fired clay or concrete masonry. The advantages include:

Low in embodied energy

Utilisation of natural resources and minimal use of manufactured products

Good sound absorption characteristics

High thermal mass

A claimed ability to "breath"

Suited to a wide range of soils

Easily manufactured and worked

Flexibility in design/colour/surface finishes

Insulation properties similar to those of concrete or brickwork

Mudbricks are typically 250 mm wide x 125 mm high x 375 mm long and normally made from earth with a clay content of 50 to 80% with the remainder comprising a grading of sand, silt or gravel. Kaolin clays are the preferred clay types due to their non expansion characteristics. Stabilising the mudbrick with straw or other fibres is sometimes employed where the soil mix displays excessive shrinkage behaviour. Cement and bitumen stabilising is also used with the latter particularly effective in waterproofing.

From an engineering viewpoint, mudbricks typically have compressive strengths of around 1 to 2 MPa and need to posses a demonstrated resistance to erosion and cracking before being accepted for construction. Mortar for mudbrick laying is either a traditional sand/cement mortar or a fine aggregate soil mortar preferably made from the same parent material as the mudbrick units.

Finishing of mudbrick walls can be undertaken with a variety of techniques ranging from as constructed to a simple "bagged" finish to a full set earth render. Linseed oil is commonly used to seal the exterior of as constructed mudbrick.

Engineering Services

Bruce Fletcher is a qualified Geotechnical / Structural Engineer specialising in ecologically sustainable building. His interests specifically relate to the development of alternative materials and building techniques, and utilisation of natural resources with minimal use of manufactured products.

Bruce has assisted architects, building designers, developers, professional builders and owner builders in the design and construction of differing forms of earth and pole houses.

What Do We Offer?

We offer a unique comprehensive design and building advisory service for all aspects of ecologically sustainable building and have extensive experience in providing practical solutions to the many varied problems encountered in this genre of building.

Our services include design and construction advice on the following materials and building techniques:

Earth construction including mud brick, rammed earth, poured earth, cob, straw bale and earth covered building
Timber pole frame construction
Selection and testing of conventional and alternative building materials

We can also assist in:

Full engineering design, drafting (CAD format) and documentation necessary for council approval
Liaison with council and relevant regulatory authorities
Local, statewide and interstate contacts for supply of alternative building materials and building labour

Sustainable Earth Technologies integrates other like minded professional design and building disciplines into a unique, cost effective, and efficient design, building and construction product.

Energy Efficient Construction

Sustainable Earth Technologies' award winning builder, Corplex Constructions, has been constructing energy efficient, passive solar houses for over 5 years, and can boast at being the first builder in NSW to receive a 4 1/2 star energy rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS).

Awards

1998 Newcastle Master Builders Award - Energy Efficiency in Housing
1998 Newcastle Master Builders Award - Custom Built Homes $250,000 to $400,000
1999 Newcastle Master Builders Award - Energy Efficiency in Housing
1999 Newcastle City Council - Environmental Achievement Award (Greenhouse Gas Reduction)

Sounds Interesting? What Next?

Many of our clients have said that they had wanted to do 'something' but did not know where to start or who to talk to. We appreciate how daunting this can be and are keen to help you get started. Contact us and let us assist you in successfully completing your dream.

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Sustainable Earth Technologies Inc.
Newcastle NSW Australia Contact Us: