A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE USE OF THE RAMMED EARTH BUILDING TECHNIQUE INCLUDING INFORMATION ON METHODS OF PRESERVATION, REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE by ASHLEY NICOLLE GRAMLICH A THESIS Presented to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program: Historic Preservation and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science March 2013 THESIS APPROVAL PAGE Student: Ashley Nicolle Gramlich Title: A Concise History of the Use of the Rammed Earth Building Technique Including Information on Methods of Preservation, Repair, and Maintenance This thesis has been accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science degree in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program: Historic Preservation by: Professor Donald Peting Chairperson Professor Shannon Bell Member and Kimberly Andrews Espy Vice President for Research & Innovation/Dean of the Graduate School Original approval signatures are on file with the University of Oregon Graduate School. Degree awarded March 2013 ii © 2013 Ashley Nicolle Gramlich iii THESIS ABSTRACT Ashley Nicolle Gramlich Master of Science Interdisciplinary Studies Program: Historic Preservation March 2013 Title: A Concise History of the Use of the Rammed Earth Building Technique Including Information on Methods of Preservation, Repair, and Maintenance Pisé de terre or rammed earth is a building technique that has existed for over ten thousand years. Although this technique was first documented for Western Civilization by the Roman Pliny the Elder circa 79 AD, evidence of its use prior to his time is found in China, Europe, and elsewhere. Rammed earth achieved notoriety in the United States during three distinct periods in its history: the Jeffersonian era, the Great Depression, and the Back-to-Nature Movement of the 1970s. In the United States earth buildings are uncommon and usually deemed marginal or fringe. This is true even though at times the U.S. government has been a proponent of alternative building techniques, especially rammed earth. Intended for those interested in material culture, this thesis provides a brief history of rammed earth, articulates its importance to the building record of the United States, and describes methods for its preservation, repair, and maintenance. iv CURRICULUM VITAE NAME OF AUTHOR: Ashley Nicolle Gramlich GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED: University of Oregon, Eugene University of Arizona, Tucson DEGREES AWARDED: Master of Science in Historic Preservation, 2013, University of Oregon Bachelor of Architecture, 2009, University of Arizona AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Historic Preservation and Conservation Technology History of Building Technology Vernacular Architecture Architectural Innovation Architectural History PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Historical Architect Intern, National Park Service, Alaska Regional Office, Anchorage, AK, June 2011- September 2011. Documentation of as-built drawings and other documents of twenty-three buildings for consideration for rehabilitation and reuse purposes for the National Park Service, Alaska Regional Office, Anchorage, AK. Historical Architect Intern, National Park Service, Alaska Regional Office, Anchorage, AK, June 2010- September 2010. Field documentation and preparation of as-built drawings for the Kennecott Mines West Bunkhouse submission to the Library of Congress Historic American Buildings Survey Collection. Architect Intern, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ., May 2009 – December 2009. Created concept designs for an expansion to the Visitor Center and Museum for the Casa Grande National Historic Monument, Coolidge, AZ. Created drawings for the Grand Canyon South Rim First Administration Building Historic Structures Report, South Rim, Grand Canyon, AZ. v Updated drawings for the North Rim Lodge Historic Structures Report, North Rim, Grand Canyon, AZ. Historical Architect Intern, National Park Service, Yosemite, CA. May 2008- August 2008. Completed Historic American Building Survey drawings for the Yosemite Museum at Yosemite National Park, Yosemite, CA GRANTS, AWARDS, AND HONORS: Women in Science Scholarship, 2008 Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education Tuition Aid Recipient, 2009 - 2011 vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My interest in the preservation of historic buildings was first awakened by Professor R. Brooks Jeffery of the University of Arizona. He taught me that history can be visualized and experienced, but most importantly that it can be honored and maintained for future generations. I cannot thank him enough for helping me to find my calling. I also wish to express my sincerest gratitude to Sueann Brown, Grant Crosby, and Steve Peterson of the National Park Service. Each one of these wonderful individuals provided me great opportunities and taught me the practical application of historic preservation. Their passion for their work inspires me. I also wish to thank Dr. Kingston Heath of the University of Oregon. He believes in me and in my abilities. And, I consider this invaluable. Next, I thank Professor Emeritus Donald Peting of the University of Oregon. By stepping in to fill a void, Professor Peting provided me with the wonderful opportunity to write this thesis. Lastly, and most importantly, I wish to thank Professor Shannon Bell of the University of Oregon. She provided the guidance I needed, the support I craved, and the vision to see that I can be the person I want to be. vii For Mom and Dad. You always knew I could do it. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1 The Significance of Rammed Earth Construction ........................................................ 3 Thesis Goals and Objectives ....................................................................................... 10 Further Study .............................................................................................................. 11 Structure of the Thesis ................................................................................................ 12 II. THE RAMMED EARTH PROCESS .......................................................................... 14 Soil Considerations ..................................................................................................... 16 Formwork Considerations ........................................................................................... 26 Tools Considerations .................................................................................................. 32 Design Details ............................................................................................................. 37 Thermal Considerations .............................................................................................. 48 Structural Integrity Factors ......................................................................................... 55 III. CIVILIZATION AND RAMMED EARTH ............................................................... 64 A Global Perspective on Earth Architecture ............................................................... 66 Examples of Centuries-Old Extant Rammed Earth Buildings .................................... 70 Rammed Earth Becomes a Studied Construction Technique in the Nineteenth Century ............................................................................................... 73 The Rediscovery of Rammed Earth in the Twentieth Century ................................... 96 IV. AN HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE OF RAMMED EARTH USE IN THE UNITED STATES ...................................................................................... 103 The Use of Rammed Earth in the Early Years of the United States ......................... 103 Rammed Earth Is “Discovered” in the United States ............................................... 118 Mitigating the Great Depression with Rammed Earth .............................................. 122 Rammed Earth Construction by the U.S. Government During World War II ....................................................................................................... 131 Post-World War II Rammed Earth Construction Projects – Experiments in Frustration ............................................................................... 132 Barriers to Rammed Earth Success ........................................................................... 139 Overcoming the Barriers ........................................................................................... 143 ix Chapter Page V. THE IMPORTANCE OF RAMMED EARTH FROM AN HISTORIC PRESERVATION PERSPECTIVE.......................................................................... 145 Considerations Before Beginning Any Restoration Project ..................................... 148 Causes of Rammed Earth Wall Deterioration ........................................................... 149 Understanding Rammed Earth Wall Composition and Build Structure to Aid in Determining the Proper Repair Method .............................................. 156 Sensitive Methods for Repair of Rammed Earth Buildings ...................................... 163 Maintenance Considerations for Rammed Earth Buildings...................................... 171 VI. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................... 173 Summary ................................................................................................................... 173 Conclusions