The use of mud in contemporary building is considered a great technique in improve thermal comfort and acoustics of buildings. It is estimated nearly half of the world’s population accounting for about three billion people from across six continents use mud in construction of buildings. Despite the superior aesthetic property of contemporary building materials such as glass and concrete stones, mud remains the preferred building material for a significant part of the world’s population.
The significance of earth in walls with relation to buildings thermal comfort will involve replacing stone and cement as a building component. The research will be carried out to justify the impact mud has on the building in relation to thermal comfort and acoustics.
Through the use of existing models results will be obtained by comparison of temperatures and decibels in mud constructions as compared to other walling materials such as stone steel and glass.
Fig 1 Mud bricks and its manipulation to buildings
The research mainly highlights some of the strategies use d in achieving thermal comfort and acoustically treated walls. To achieve these, there are certain characteristics of building materials that have to be considered before selecting them for construction depending on the building usage or purpose. Such characteristics include materials that can be used as natural insulators to improve the quality of indoor temperature and acoustic materials that can be deemed to be sound proof.
In buildings constructed in the recent past, we observe minimal consideration of thermal comfort acoustics. Thus we witness spaces that are not environmentally fit in terms of functionality and usage. For a long time use of mud has been considered to be traditional and out of date. Classy to this perception, it exposes users, civil engineers and designers to a huge danger of the climatic crisis. This is likely because they ignore mud for the popular aesthetics concrete elements common in modern buildings. As stated mud is losing popularity for aesthetic reasons yet it constitute a possible victory in thermal comfort and acoustics.
Use of concrete stone and glass results to overheating problems and they lead to mechanical cooling. This is so because glass stone and concrete allows long wave radiation and ‘traps’ heat in the space. One should thus avoid too much use of these materials. It is the goal of this research to demonstrate the effectiveness of mud.
Contemporary building materials such as steel glass concrete and stone lays little emphasis on environmental thermal comfort and acoustics particularly in respect of building materials functional spaces. Thus there is need for revival of traditional materials such as mud.
Mud or earth can be employed and used in construction of buildings in an environmentally accommodating manner. Through research we can achieve an architecturally inspiring result with mud by overcoming its aesthetics and strength problem without compromising the environment. This can achieved through use of mud with strength admixtures for walling and roofing. Computer modeling and simulations can optimize mud designs for architectural construction of thermal comfort and acoustic buildings.
The aim of carrying out this research is to identify the significance of mud construction in relation to thermal comfort and acoustic when compared to other methods of construction such as steel and concrete.
The following research objectives were set to help in achieving the aims of research. The research objectives were as follows:
To critically analyse the current status of mud construction.
To identify the places where mud construction is put to test
To analyse the advantages and barriers of mud construction
To help all stakeholders involved in the building industry such as civil engineers, structural engineers and architects to appreciate mud construction in achieving thermal comfort and in addition to that its environment friendly because there is no o minimal greenhouse gases that come from mud construction. Considering that this is a global problem, where buildings contribute up to 80% of emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Eventually this approach will contribute in reducing global warming.
Thermal comfort is the expression of satisfaction in relation to metabolic rate, air temperature, humidity, mean radiant temperature, and air velocity. The physical and mental strength of an individual has been shown to vary significantly from one climate season to the next. In particular, the mental and physical strengths are optimum at particular climatic conditions out of which mental and physical efficiency declines markedly. In addition, temperatures outside the optimal range are associated with low productivity, emotional stress, respiratory diseases, and mortality.
Building Acoustics is defined as the control of noise resulting from vibration and transmission of sound waves from solid objects.
Fig 2 Vibration profile of a loud speaker cone
Acoustics will be an addition case to study alongside thermal comfort through questionnaires and measurements.
Since time in memorial, man constructed houses using natural resources like mud, wood, and grass for roofing. Despite the availability of this materials, they experienced several challenges like collapsing of the grass-thatched rooftops or even the entire house especially due to weather changes. Most of the erected structures today are distinguished by machine-made construction materials. Despite the attempts to substitute these with more artificial materials like plastic, environmentally friendly resources have ensued in a section of both technical and structural aspect of architecture thus offering mud an exceptional chance of synthesis. Looking into the issue of mud being a more acoustic and thermal luxury construction material, the advantages are limitless. Theoretically, traditional components can be combined in a modern manner using mud. Having a clear understanding of the positive and negative effects of using mud for construction purposes will facilitate a productive redefining of its appropriateness in various kinds of construction. For the maintenance of a concrete jungle, building with mud provides the alternative solution to many housing problems as it offers an amazing substitute.
Earth has been used as a construction material for thousands of years (Hall and Djerbib, 2004 ) with its most primitive form dating back to the nomadic years where humans lived a migratory life and often constructed temporary seasonal shelters from brush and wooden frames covered with mud ( McHenry, 1984 ). Mud is cheap, strong, and readily available and only requires modest technology. Ramasseum, grain stores of Egypt, were built in 1300 before Christ and they still exist, the Great Wall of China also has various areas constructed in rammed mud for a couple of 2000 years ago. In addition, Yemen, Nepal, Iran, and India also have several buildings and early cities constructed in different manners of mud construction. It is key to note that the ancient persisting examples of this construction form are found in the arid regions worldwide. In the olden days, men constructed homes using leaves, stones, unbaked-sundried mud or fibers. Revolution of the industrial sector brought about mass-produced resources like steel, glass and cement, and clay- baked bricks that succeeded the basic component of ancient construction. Modernized transport systems allowed for movement of construction materials from one place to another, whereas the presence of specialized building techniques and up-to-date components led to a reduced need for art and craftsmanship that gave each locality its own unique view. Nonetheless, the unbaked earth still remains to be the most feasible construction material for 1/3 of the world’s inhabitants-mainly the less fortunate who are always on the side-tracks of the financial budget that relies on manufactured resources. Moreover, constructing with earth has become a vital aspect in scheduling novel development. Consequent to the current energy calamity, technological advancements have been made in several nations and the interests of land inventors and architects have supplemented the spread of these novel techniques. Currently, we are capable of choosing between a ‘down to earth’ and conservative ‘universal architecture’ method that combines realistic cost with old-fashioned cultural ideas in a recent manner to accomplish acoustic and thermal luxury in structures.
Fig 3 the main earth techniques
Dependent on the fe
Significance Of Mud In Walls Its Relation
atures of the earth present, readiness of supportive resources and expertise used, various appearances of the earth are used. These involve Cob, Pressed brick, Daub, Sun-dried blocks, Rammed earth and Wattle.
Cob: the word originates from an English root denoting “a piece of round mass”. This is an ancient construction method that uses hand molded lumps of mud mixed with straw and sand. It is a cost-effective and easy method of construction. Its form of drying is alike to that of lean concrete. This antique method of construction does not add to pollution, deforestation or mining, neither relies on power tools or factory-made resources. Cob is fully biodegradable and toxic free. Regular operational windows are fixed within the cob lengthwise with their beams while the sheets are building up. If a permanent window is required any type of glass can be fixed within the cob. Cob structures have been identified to last for longer periods.
Rammed earth: a method used in the construction of walls using the raw resources of lime, earth, gravel, and chalk. It is among one of the earliest construction methods that have seen a restitution in current years as individuals search for more viable construction resources and natural construction methods. Bumped mud walls are simple to erect and are fireproof to water destruction.
Fig 4 Hinderland household Australia constructed from rammed mud walls
Evaluation of thermal conform in a mudded building will be evaluated through in-situ measurement. On the other hand, the thermal performance of modern building materials will be measured through computer simulation for different climatic conditions and regions. The results will be complied and a comparison made in relation to thermal comfort and acoustics of both sets of buildings.
Analysis of results will be carried out using ECOTEC simulation software for the data obtained from buildings made of mud and those made of concrete and glass over the same period. Emphasis will be given on the different techniques employed in the using mud during construction. Different results will be computed for different techniques.
Mainly computer simulations will be used for this study. The program ECOTECT is the main tool. ECOTECT is a kind of software developed to simulate building performance. The program both analyzes and displays data results as obtained from the building.
Inputs include:
Materials U-values and thermal mass
Location of Project
Climatic data Files
Outputs include:
Text files for resultant temperatures
Solar Factors in relation to wall material properties,
Images obtained from the simulations.
The insulating property of the building material will be measured in terms of thermal transmittance; U. Thermal transmittance is the measure total amount of heat transmitted across the wall of a building per unit time and area. Thermal transmittance is inversely proportional to insulating property of a material. That is, a higher value of thermal transmittance translates to low insulating property and vice versa. Mud has a relatively lower thermal transmittance of 1.9 W/m2K compared to 2.33 W/m2K of contemporary building materials affirming that mud is a better insulating material than concrete and glass. As a result mud would offer a better thermal comfort and acoustics that concrete and glass.
Fig. 5n Thermal comfort at 12 noon, (Ecotect simulation)
The thermal conditions of the dwelling unit will be evaluated by measuring the temperature during the hottest day of the study period. The sleeping unit of the building will specifically be chosen for measurement of temperatures. In addition, the humidity of the buildings will be measured during the study period. Bothe temperature and humidity will be recorded using digitalized temperature logger. The last component of the thermal comfort that will be measured in this study is wind speed. Particularly, a spinning wheel anemometer will be used for this research. It is expected that inside the buildings will be relatively cooler in the summer as a result of mud gaining heat during the day and dissipating the heat gained at night.
This project is carefully crafted to investigate on how to Improvement of construction and the reason for adoption of mud as a construction material. The research will be carried out by using various methods in order to acquire enough data regarding mud construction.
The research of this project will cover the areas containing information related to mud construction and its significance. Data can be obtained from secondary sources, which contain data associated with the topic of research. The study will be restricted to mud as a material for wall construction
The research is to be carried out in 1 year, and the timeline for the research is as follows.
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Period/Duration |
Activity |
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1stMonth |
Identify the collaborators, mentors and other stakeholders who can assist in the research process. Acquire informal critique from the collaborators, mentors regarding the merits and demerits of the study topic. |
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2ndMonth |
Carry out a thorough literature review of the topic of study to identify the various gaps in the experts in the field and knowledge in general and to obtain detailed knowledge regarding the topic of research. |
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3rd – 4th Month |
Come up with specific aims and study objectives based on the conclusion and results obtained from the literature review. |
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5th – 6th Month |
Come up with the design of the study having the best approach that will facilitate efficient collection of data on the topic of research and ensure that the research is successfully carried out. |
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7th – 8th Month |
Refine the study questions after the consultation with the mentors and collaborators in order to flesh out the protocol and at the same time create a proposal. |
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9th – 10th Month |
Start to drafting the proposed budget to ensure that the project aims can be met without any challenge Obtain the necessary advice from the colleagues/guardians and the sponsor sources Identify the potential reviews of the work to ensure that they are in constant touch |
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11th – 12th Month |
Start writing the proposal draft Put the proposal aside for some time, and then I will start editing I will employ the outside reviewers who I identified initially proofread my work and give the appropriate comments |
Conclusion
Modern civil engineers and architects can use mud in buildings to improve both the thermal comfort and acoustics of contemporary buildings due to its superior insulating properties in comparison to glass and concrete stones. In addition, mud is locally available hence would its use in buildings will not only be economically viable but will also accord the buildings a longer lifespan. Addition, mud is more environmental friendly than concrete and glass. Firstly, mud undergoes natural dissolution, is renewable, and has low impact on environmental production. Further, the incorporation of mud in building will significantly reduce the energy used in processing as well as transporting contemporary building materials.
In order to achieve desirable results, building architects and engineers will have to improve the design of buildings made of mud. For instance, the buildings would be made such that the mud walls are guarded against water and maximize surface-volume ratio. In conclusion, selection of building materials should take into account thermal and acoustic properties of the material. Mud proves to be a better building material as a result by offering superior comfort and building acoustics. This research will show that with proper design mud can once again be used in building to add thermal comfort to modern buildings.
References
Cabral, A.E.B., 2013. Concrete with construction and demolition wastes (CDW). In Eco-Efficient Concrete (pp. 340-367).
Dolan, P.J., Lampo, R.G. and Dearborn, J.C., 1999. Concepts for reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste (No. CERL-TR-99/58). CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING RESEARCH LAB (ARMY) CHAMPAIGN IL
.Goel, R. 2016. Case Study of Metro Rails in Indian Cities (6th ed.). Sydney: Tata McGraw-Hill Education,
Hendriks, C. F. 2011. Sustainable Raw Materials: Construction and Demolition Waste. Chicago: RILEM Publications.
Lauritzen, E. K. 2012. Construction and Demolition Waste Management: An Integrated and Sustainable Approach. London: Taylor & Francis Group.
Limbachiya, M. C. 2014. Construction Demolition Waste. London: Thomas Telford.
Pacheco-Torgal, F. 2016. Handbook of Recycled Concrete and Demolition Waste. Chicago: Elsevier Science.
Tam, C. M. 2013. Concepts for Reuse and Recycling of Construction and Demolition Waste. Sydney: DIANE Publishing.
Tam, V. M.2014. Re-use of Construction and Demolition Waste in Housing Developments. London: Nova Science Publishers.
Winkler, G. 2014. Recycling Construction & Demolition Waste. London: McGraw Hill Professional.
Yusof, M. F. 2016. Study on Construction & Demolition Waste Management in Construction Site. Chicago: UMP.
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