4.3.

2 Rammed Earth
_ This is a system of building earthen walls by compacting soil within forms. _ Typically, wooden forms are used, but steel forms can also be used. For the purpose of this handbook, wooden forms are being recommended because they are less expensive, more easily available and easier to use in rural areas. _ The simplest way to keep the forms in place is to tie them with ropes, but for better control wooden or metal ties can be used. However, the choice of ties depends on the quality required or possible in a certain place and the level of skill. _ Walls should be built in layers, re-using the forms for each layer, packing and compacting the soil within the forms using a hand-held tamp or rammer, or if that is not available, using strong wooden battens. _ The more one compacts, the stronger the wall becomes, but this has to be done in accordance with availability of suitable soil and affordability. More compaction requires more soil and more labor, so an optimum level of compaction has to be decided by the house builder according to availability of resources. _ Soil for rammed earth construction should be stabilized with cement for water resistance. The processes of soil selection and identification, preparation, mixing, casting and curing discussed in preceding sections should be followed.