Balancing Environmental Impact and Practicality: A Case Study on the Cement-Stabilized Rammed Earth Construction in Southeast Rural China

Shan Dai, Wenfeng Bai and Jing Xiao ()
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Shan Dai: School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Wenfeng Bai: Faculty of Architecture and City Planning, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, China
Jing Xiao: Faculty of Architecture and City Planning, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-18

Abstract: Construction using earth materials demonstrates ecological sustainability using locally sourced natural materials and environmentally friendly demolition methods. In this study, the environmental impact of adding cement to soil materials for rammed earth farmhouse construction in rural China was investigated and comparatively simulated using the One Click LCA database, focusing on the conflict between sustainability objectives and the practical aspects of cement addition. By analyzing how the addition of cement aligns with local construction practices and addressing the debate surrounding the inclusion of cement in rammed-earth construction, our objective is to provide insights into achieving a balance between the environmental impact and the pragmatic considerations of using cement in earthen building practices. Three local structure scenarios are evaluated via simulations: cement-stabilized rammed earth wall, fired brick wall, and a localized reinforced concrete frame structure. The quantitative environmental impacts are assessed, and the qualitative differences in adaptation, economic sustainability, and other factors are examined in the context of present-day development in rural China. The results show that the use of cement-stabilized rammed earth wall-supported structures is associated with higher embodied carbon emissions compared to structures supported by reinforced concrete frames and enclosed by brick walls; however, these emissions are lower than those for brick wall-supported structures while effectively meeting the structural requirements. In addition, the use of cement-stabilized earth for perimeter walls simplifies material management and disposal throughout the building’s life cycle, and the cost-effectiveness of cement has been found to be substantially greater than that of reinforced concrete frames and brick structures, improving economic viability and social acceptability, especially among low-income communities in rural areas

Keywords: cement-stabilized rammed earth; rural area; software simulation; sustainable evaluation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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