Earthen buildings are strong in compression, but need help against tension or bending stresses. The barbed wire and vertical rebar in earthbag add important tensile strength.
More than 50 earthbag buildings in Nepal have recently survived 0.5- >0.7g of earthquake motion. This same motion destroyed poorly reinforced and unreinforced masonry buildings around them, mud block and brick alike.
I just found this earthbag shelter for street children in Boudha, Nepal. That’s pretty much all I know about this project. Maybe one of our readers can fill us in on the details.
We’ve posted quite a few blog posts over the years about how to reinforce earthbag buildings. Due to the earthquake in Nepal, we’re getting lots of questions about reinforced earthbag methods for earthquake regions. The following list will save people lots of time searching our blog and websites. Watch for more news on this topic in the future.
Hello Earth Builders!
Circle Pines Summer Camp is seeking a dedicated work project leader for construction. The construction leader will plan, oversee, and assist teams of counselors and campers in small, sustainable building projects throughout the summer. Ideally, campers who participate in these projects will gain skills in design and tool safety while seeing a building project through from start to finish.
Ron, one of our readers, posted this news at Counties with Few or No Codes.
GREEN HOMES – PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE HOUSING IN NEPAL
“This three year (2013-1015) project funded by the European Union aims at promoting sustainable housing technologies and services to contribute towards mitigating climate change and reducing poverty through creation of green jobs and moving towards a green economy.