Earthquake-Resistant Rammed Earth Structure

The present disclosure generally relates to rammed earth structures, and particularly to reinforced rammed earth structures against earthquakes and a method to construct such strengthened rammed earth structures thereof.

Rammed earth is a technique that includes a moist mixture of soil with certain ratios of sand, gravel, clay, and silt and stabilizers like lime, cement, or asphalt compacted between two wooden plates as a formwork. This formwork includes two parallel plates that are locked and bracketed well together at a distance about 20 to 35 centimeters. A soil mixture is poured between these two plates and compacted up to 50% of its initial height. Recently, rammed earth has been taken into consideration again due to sustainable development issues and many other advantages that rammed earth has. In this regard, many countries have updated their construction regulations to use rammed earth including Australia, New Zealand, the US (New Mexico), Zimbabwe, Germany, and Spain. It seems that rammed earth can be a suggestion for the future of architecture.

However, during the last few centuries, there is concern that soil is not a resistant material for construction. One of the important concerns about the use of rammed earth technique is resistance of rammed earth structures against earthquake force. Although Soil has good compressive strength, but it has low resistance against lateral load and earthquake force. To compensate for this shortcoming, the ancients increased a diameter of a rammed earth wall walls or they used wood to strengthen a rammed earth wall, which is suitable for low-rise buildings. But today, with the increase in price of land and housing and the effort to simplify buildings, it is no longer possible to build thick walls. In other words, if no stabilizer is used in ramming process or rammed earth is not reinforced, it is not suitable for construction of high-rise buildings.

Reuse of rammed earth has been started in the early years of the 21century mostly in European countries and countries that are less concerned about earthquakes, and therefore, there is not much work done to strengthen rammed earth structures against earthquake. Of course, there have been innovations in this field in recent years, for example, national regulations (No. NZS 4297) of New Zealand for rammed earth technique, which is considered an earthquake-prone country. These regulations were approved in 1998 and became an important development in use of rammed earth technique in earthquake-prone countries. In a patented case No. U.S. Pat. No. 7,033,116B1, Ward & Grill disclosed a method for constructing a rammed earth structure strengthened to withstand tensile stresses, such as flexure and shear stresses Aduring strong wind or earthquake. Ward& Grill used steel rebars and bond beams to reinforce a rammed earth wall. In patented case No. CN211817138U in 2020, an anti-seismic rammed earth wall structure was disclosed. The anti-seismic rammed earth wall structure includes a gravel layer, a rammed earth wall body, a fixed clamping plate layer, a transverse straw-containing rammed earth layer, and a longitudinal straw-containing rammed earth layer. The rammed earth wall body is symmetrically arranged between the fixed clamping plate layers and the straw-containing rammed earth layers.

However, there is a need for rammed earth structures being able to compete with strong concrete structures. Specifically, there is a need for rammed earth structures with high strength against tensile stresses and high loadings, particularly, appropriate for constructing in earthquake-prone countries.

This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of this patent, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. The proper scope of this patent may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description below and the drawings.

In one general aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure may include an armed scaffold located inside a rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the armed scaffold may include a foundation located at the bottom of the armed scaffold, a bond beam located at the top of the armed scaffold, two concrete columns located at two respective corners of the armed scaffold extending along height of the armed scaffold, a mesh network continuously extended from the foundation to the bond beam, a strand of barbed wire perpendicularly woven into the mesh network, a plurality of vertical rebars extended parallel with each other along a height of the armed scaffold from the foundation to the bond beam, a plurality of horizontal rebars extended parallel with each other between the two concrete columns, a plurality of U-shaped fasteners fastening the plurality of vertical rebars, the plurality of horizontal rebars, and the mesh network together, and a plurality of transverse connectors extending along the thickness of the armed scaffold passing transversely through the rammed earth wall and the armed scaffold.

In an exemplary embodiment, the foundation may include a first concrete beam including a plurality of holes. In an exemplary embodiment, each hole of the plurality of holes may receive a bottom end of a vertical rebar of the plurality of vertical rebars. In an exemplary embodiment, each hole of the plurality of holes may be filled with rammed earth around an exemplary vertical rebar. In an exemplary embodiment, thickness of the foundation may be at least equal to a distance between two outer surfaces of rammed earth wall may define a thickness of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, each hole of the plurality of holes may include a hole with a height in a range of 5 cm to 15 cm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bond beam may include a second concrete beam including a plurality of protruded parts correspondingly located opposite to the plurality of holes of the foundation. In an exemplary embodiment, each protruded part of the plurality of protruded parts may receive a respective top end of the vertical rebar of the plurality of vertical rebars. In an exemplary embodiment, each protruded part of the plurality of protruded parts may be surrounded by rammed earth. In an exemplary embodiment, a distance from the foundation to the bond beam may define a height of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, each protruded part of the plurality of protruded parts may include a height in a range of 5 cm to 15 cm.

In an exemplary embodiment, a distance between the two concrete columns may define a width of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, each concrete column may include a protruded part along the height of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, the protruded part may define a shear key along the respective concrete column. In an exemplary embodiment, the rammed earth wall may be interconnected to the two concrete columns through the respective protruded part.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of vertical rebars may include parallel pairs of vertical rebars arranged at equal distances in a range of 50 cm to 150 cm apart from each other along the width of the armed scaffold between the two concrete columns. In an exemplary embodiment, each pair of vertical rebars of the plurality of vertical rebars may include a first vertical rebar and a second vertical rebar located opposite to each other along the thickness of the armed scaffold with a distance in a range of 10 cm to 30 cm from each other. In an exemplary embodiment, each vertical rebar may be located at a distance of at least 7 cm from an outer edge of the rammed earth wall.

In an exemplary embodiment, the mesh network may include a transverse section and a longitudinal section repeated every other along the height of the armed scaffold from the foundation to the bond beam. In an exemplary embodiment, the mesh network may include a wire grid network made of at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a geosynthetic material, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the wire grid network may include a plurality of openings. In an exemplary embodiment, each opening may have an area in a range of 1 cmto 10 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal section of the mesh network may have a height in a range of 30 cm to 70 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, each two consecutive longitudinal sections of the mesh network may include a first longitudinal section and a second longitudinal section. In an exemplary embodiment, the first longitudinal section may be fastened by a first plurality of wires to a row of the first vertical rebars located along the width of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, the second longitudinal section may be fastened by a second plurality of wires to a row of the second vertical rebars located along the width of the armed scaffold opposite to the first vertical rebars.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of horizontal rebars may include pairs of horizontal rebars. In an exemplary embodiment, each pair of horizontal rebars may be located and fastened onto a transverse section of the mesh network. In an exemplary embodiment, each two consecutive pairs of horizontal rebars may be spaced from each other by a vertical distance in a range of 30 cm to 70 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, a normal distance between each two horizontal rebars of a pair of horizontal rebars of the plurality of horizontal rebars may be in a range of 10 cm to 30 cm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the strand of barbed wire may include a plurality of sharped edges protruded from two sides of the mesh network. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sharped edges may anchored into the rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sharped edges may tighten the mesh network to the rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, each sharp edge of the plurality of sharped edges of the strand of barbed wire may have a length in a range of 0.5 cm to 1 cm.

In an exemplary embodiment, each U-shaped fastener of the plurality of U-shaped fasteners may enclose a respective transverse section of the mesh network along with a pair of vertical rebars of the plurality of vertical rebars and a pair of horizontal rebars of the plurality of horizontal rebars located at both sides of the respective transverse section at a corner of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of U-shaped fasteners may include a plurality of stirrups.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of transverse connectors may interlock the rammed earth wall and the armed scaffold together. In an exemplary embodiment, each transverse connector of the plurality of transverse connectors may include at least one of a rebar, a bolt, a strip anchor, and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, each rebar of each of the plurality of vertical rebars and the plurality of horizontal rebars may include a rebar made of at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, fiberglass, an epoxy, a composite, bamboo culms, and combinations thereof with a diameter in a range of 8 mm to 20 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure may further include an insulator layer with a thickness in a range of 2 mm to 10 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, the insulator layer may be located inside the earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure within a distance of at least about 5 cm from an outer surface of the rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the insulator layer may have a width equal to the width of the armed scaffold and a height equal to the height of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, the insulator layer may include a layer of at least one of polycarbonate, extruded polystyrene (XPS), closed-cell spray foam, mineral wool, polyurethane foam, fiberglass with a vapor barrier, a thermal-insulating foam, a moisture-proof foam, a moisture-proof polymer, polyisocyanurate (Polyiso), phenolic foam, and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rammed earth wall may include a soil mixture compacted at both sides and alongside the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the soil mixture at each side of the armed scaffold may be at least 7 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, the soil mixture may include a mixture of at least one of clay, silt, sand, gravels, a stabilizer, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the stabilizer may include at least one of cement, lime, bitumen, factory slag, ash, asphalt, plant fibers, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the soil mixture may include the stabilizer with a weight percent in a range of 5% to 15% relative to a total weight of the soil mixture.

In another general aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an armed scaffold located inside a construction wall firmly engaged together. In an exemplary embodiment, the armed scaffold may include a foundation located at the bottom of the armed scaffold, a bond beam located at the top of the armed scaffold, two concrete columns located at two respective corners of the armed scaffold extending along height of the armed scaffold, a mesh network continuously extended from the foundation to the bond beam with a zigzag arrangement, a strand of barbed wire perpendicularly woven into the mesh network, a plurality of vertical rebars extended parallel with each other along a height of the armed scaffold from the foundation to the bond beam, a plurality of horizontal rebars extended parallel with each other between the two concrete columns, a plurality of U-shaped fasteners fastening the plurality of vertical rebars, the plurality of horizontal rebars, and the mesh network together, an insulator layer, and a plurality of transverse connectors extending along the thickness of the armed scaffold passing transversely through the construction wall and the armed scaffold.

In an exemplary embodiment, the foundation may include a first concrete beam including a plurality of holes. In an exemplary embodiment, each hole of the plurality of holes may receive a bottom end of a vertical rebar of the plurality of vertical rebars. In an exemplary embodiment, each hole of the plurality of holes may be filled with at least one of concrete, rammed earth, and combinations thereof around an exemplary vertical rebar. In an exemplary embodiment, thickness of the foundation may be at least equal to a distance between two outer surfaces of construction wall may define a thickness of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, each hole of the plurality of holes may include a hole with a height in a range of 5 cm to 15 cm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bond beam may include a second concrete beam including a plurality of protruded parts correspondingly located opposite to the plurality of holes of the foundation. In an exemplary embodiment, each protruded part of the plurality of protruded parts may receive a respective top end of the vertical rebar of the plurality of vertical rebars. In an exemplary embodiment, each protruded part of the plurality of protruded parts may be surrounded by at least one of concrete, rammed earth, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, a distance from the foundation to the bond beam may define a height of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, each protruded part of the plurality of protruded parts may include a height in a range of 5 cm to 15 cm.

In an exemplary embodiment, a distance between the two concrete columns may define a width of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, each concrete column may include a protruded part along the height of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, the protruded part may define a shear key along the respective concrete column. In an exemplary embodiment, the construction wall may be interconnected to the two concrete columns through the respective protruded part.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of vertical rebars may include parallel pairs of vertical rebars arranged at equal distances in a range of 50 cm to 150 cm apart from each other along the width of the armed scaffold between the two concrete columns. In an exemplary embodiment, each pair of vertical rebars of the plurality of vertical rebars may include a first vertical rebar and a second vertical rebar located opposite to each other along the thickness of the armed scaffold with a distance in a range of 10 cm to 30 cm from each other. In an exemplary embodiment, each vertical rebar may be located at a distance of at least 7 cm from an outer edge of the construction wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of vertical rebars may include a plurality of pairs of vertical rebars, where a respective top end pair of each respective pair of vertical rebars may be confined inside a respective protruded part of the plurality of protruded parts and a respective bottom end pair of each respective pair of vertical rebars may be confined inside a respective hole of the plurality of holes.

In an exemplary embodiment, the mesh network may include a transverse section and a longitudinal section repeated every other along the height of the armed scaffold from the foundation to the bond beam. In an exemplary embodiment, the mesh network may include a wire grid network made of at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a geosynthetic material, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the wire grid network may include a plurality of openings. In an exemplary embodiment, each opening may have an area in a range of 1 cmto 10 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal section of the mesh network may have a height in a range of 30 cm to 70 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, each two consecutive longitudinal sections of the mesh network may include a first longitudinal section and a second longitudinal section. In an exemplary embodiment, the first longitudinal section may be fastened by a first plurality of wires to a row of the first vertical rebars located along the width of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, the second longitudinal section may be fastened by a second plurality of wires to a row of the second vertical rebars located along the width of the armed scaffold opposite to the first vertical rebars.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of horizontal rebars may include pairs of horizontal rebars. In an exemplary embodiment, each pair of horizontal rebars may be located and fastened onto both sides of a transverse section of the mesh network. In an exemplary embodiment, each two consecutive pairs of horizontal rebars may be spaced from each other by a vertical distance in a range of 30 cm to 70 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, a normal distance between each two horizontal rebars of a pair of horizontal rebars of the plurality of horizontal rebars may be in a range of 10 cm to 30 cm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the strand of barbed wire may include a plurality of sharped edges protruded from two sides of the mesh network. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sharped edges may anchored into the construction wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sharped edges may tighten the mesh network to the construction wall. In an exemplary embodiment, each sharp edge of the plurality of sharped edges of the strand of barbed wire may have a length in a range of 0.5 cm to 1 cm.

In an exemplary embodiment, each U-shaped fastener of the plurality of U-shaped fasteners may enclose a respective transverse section of the mesh network along with a pair of vertical rebars of the plurality of vertical rebars and a pair of horizontal rebars of the plurality of horizontal rebars located at both sides of the respective transverse section at a corner of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of U-shaped fasteners may include a plurality of stirrups.

In an exemplary embodiment, the insulator layer may have a thickness in a range of about 2 mm to about 10 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, the insulator layer may be located along the height of the armed scaffold in parallel with the longitudinal section of the mesh network. In an exemplary embodiment, the insulator layer may have a width equal to the width of the armed scaffold and a height equal to the height of the armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, the insulator layer may include a layer of at least one of polycarbonate, extruded polystyrene (XPS), closed-cell spray foam, mineral wool, polyurethane foam, fiberglass with a vapor barrier, a thermal-insulating foam, a moisture-proof foam, a moisture-proof polymer, polyisocyanurate (Polyiso), phenolic foam, and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of transverse connectors may interlock the construction wall and the armed scaffold together. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of transverse connectors may pass through the construction wall, the insulator layer, the mesh network, and the barbed wire, and interlocking them together. In an exemplary embodiment, each transverse connector of the plurality of transverse connectors may include at least one of a rebar, a bolt, a strip anchor, and combinations thereof.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

Herein, an armed core or scaffold for installing inside a construction wall is disclosed. An exemplary armed scaffold may reinforce and strengthen an exemplary construction wall. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary construction wall may be made of at least one of concrete, rammed earth, and combinations thereof. More specifically, an earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure is disclosed here. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure may include a reinforced core inside a rammed earth wall which continuously connects structural elements from foundation to ceiling. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary reinforced core may include vertical bars arranged in a foundation extending along an exemplary rammed earth wall upwards to a ceiling of an exemplary earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of stoppers may be designed and constructed in an exemplary foundation for making a strong interaction between an exemplary foundation and an exemplary rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, a continuous network mesh may start from an exemplary foundation and continue with a zigzag arrangement along a height and width of an exemplary rammed earth wall up to an exemplary ceiling of an exemplary earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of horizontal bars may be placed at a regular height of an exemplary rammed earth wall extending between two vertical concrete columns placed at two end corners of an exemplary rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, a horizontal bond beam may be arranged at top of an exemplary rammed earth wall and between an exemplary rammed earth wall and an exemplary horizontal bond beam, a plurality of stoppers may be formed similar to exemplary stoppers of an exemplary foundation. Exemplary stoppers may improve an interaction of an exemplary rammed earth wall and an exemplary horizontal bond beam. Furthermore, a plurality of ceiling beams may be placed on an exemplary horizontal bond beam. In the corners of an exemplary earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure, rammed earth walls leading to two vertical concrete columns may be grooved to provide a firm interaction between an exemplary rammed earth wall and two vertical concrete columns.

shows an exploded viewof an earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, earthquake-resistant rammed earth structuremay include a rammed earth walland an armed scaffoldfirmly interlocked to each other. In an exemplary embodiment, rammed earth wallmay be reinforced by armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, armed scaffoldmay be located inside rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, armed scaffoldmay be located between two side partsandof rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, rammed earth wallmay further include a portion of rammed earth (not illustrated) filled within armed scaffoldin addition to side partsandthat may fill apertures of armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, all parts of rammed earth walland armed scaffoldmay be firmly tightened together. In an exemplary embodiment, side partsandan exemplary portion of rammed earth filled within armed scaffold, and armed scaffoldmay be firmly tightened and fixed together. In an exemplary embodiment, armed scaffoldmay be located in the middle of rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, armed scaffoldmay also be installed inside a concrete wall and firmly engaged to an exemplary concrete wall; thereby, resulting in reinforcing an exemplary concrete wall. In such cases, a similar structure to earthquake-resistant rammed earth structuremay be obtained, in which all parts of rammed earth wallmay be made of concrete. In a more general exemplary embodiment, armed scaffoldmay also be installed inside a construction wall made of any type of constructing material, for example, at least one of rammed earth, concrete, and combinations thereof.

shows a side viewof earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, earthquake-resistant rammed earth structuremay further include a ceilingat top. Regarding, armed scaffoldmay include a foundationlocated at the bottom of armed scaffold, a bond beamlocated at the top of armed scaffold, two concrete columnsat corners of armed scaffoldextended from foundationtowards bond beam, and armed corein the middle of armed scaffold.

show two perspective viewsandof earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, a heightof armed scaffoldmay include a distance from bottom of foundationto top of bond beam. In an exemplary embodiment, a widthof armed scaffoldmay include a length of foundationor a distance between two concrete columnsat two corners of armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, a thicknessof armed scaffoldmay include a thickness of foundationequal to a distance between two outer surfaces of rammed earth wall.

Referring to, armed coremay include a plurality of vertical rebars, a plurality of horizontal rebars, a plurality of transverse connectors, and mesh network. Regarding, plurality of vertical rebarsmay extend parallel with each other along heightof armed scaffoldfrom foundationto bond beam. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of horizontal rebarsmay extend parallel with each other between two concrete columnsalong widthof armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of transverse connectorsmay extend transversely through rammed earth walland armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of transverse connectorsmay extend along thicknessof armed scaffold.

In an exemplary embodiment, foundationmay include a first concrete beam located at the bottom of armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, foundationmay include a plurality of holes. In an exemplary embodiment, each hole of plurality of holesmay include a hole with a height in a range of about 5 cm to about 15 cm formed in foundation. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of holesmay be formed in foundationto act as a movement stopper for plurality of vertical rebarsas well as an engaging element tightening foundation, armed core, and rammed earth walltogether. In an exemplary embodiment, each hole of plurality of holesmay receive a bottom endof an exemplary vertical rebar of plurality of vertical rebars. In an exemplary embodiment, a hollow space surrounding bottom endof an exemplary vertical rebar of plurality of vertical rebarsmay be filled with rammed earth during a process of constructing earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, bond beammay include a second concrete beam located at the top of armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, bond beammay include a plurality of protruded partscorrespondingly located opposite to plurality of holes. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of protruded partsmay act as movement stoppers for plurality of vertical rebarsas well as an engaging element tightening bond beam, armed core, and rammed earth walltogether. In an exemplary embodiment, each protruded part of plurality of protruded partsmay receive a top endof an exemplary vertical rebar of plurality of vertical rebars. In an exemplary embodiment, each protruded part of plurality of protruded partsmay surrounded by rammed earth during a process of constructing earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure. In an exemplary embodiment, each protruded part of plurality of protruded partsmay have a height in a range of about 5 cm to about 15 cm protruded from bond beam. In an exemplary embodiment, top endof an exemplary vertical rebar may be fixed inside an exemplary protruded part of plurality of protruded parts; thereby, resulting in prevention of movement of an exemplary vertical rebar when an external force is applied to earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure, for example, during an earthquake or high wind. In an exemplary embodiment, top endof an exemplary vertical rebar may pass through bond beamand may continue towards ceilingwhere may be fixed into ceilingthrough an L-shaped end.

In an exemplary embodiment, an engagement between pluralities of vertical rebarsand holesor an engagement between pluralities of vertical rebarsand protruded partsmay prevent lateral movements of earthquake-resistant rammed earth structureand increase entanglement between the wall and the foundation. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of holesand/or plurality of protruded partsmay provide a firm interaction between rammed earth walland foundationand/or rammed earth walland bond beam. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of protruded partsmay facilitate transferring force from bond beamand/or ceilingat top of bond beamto concrete columnsand then foundationand plurality of holes, and thereafter, from foundationto earth.

In an exemplary embodiment, rammed earth wall, mesh network, foundation, and ceilingmay be interconnected together through plurality of vertical rebarsextended from foundationto ceiling. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary vertical rebar of plurality of vertical rebarsmay include a rebar made of at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, fiberglass, an epoxy, a composite, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary vertical rebar of plurality of vertical rebarsmay be made of bamboo culms (hollow stems). In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary vertical rebar of plurality of vertical rebarsmay have a diameter in a range of about 8 mm to about 20 mm.

Referring back to, mesh networkmay continuously extend from foundationto bond beam. In an exemplary embodiment, mesh networkmay extend along heightof armed scaffoldin a zigzag arrangement. In an exemplary embodiment, mesh networkmay include a transverse sectionand a longitudinal sectionrepeated every other along heightof armed scaffoldfrom foundationto bond beam. In an exemplary embodiment, each longitudinal sectionof mesh networkmay have a height in a range of about 30 cm to about 70 cm along heightof armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, each longitudinal sectionof mesh networkmay have a height of aboutcm along heightof armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, each two consecutive longitudinal sectionsandof mesh networkmay be located parallel with each other respectively adjacent to two opposite side partsandof rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, longitudinal sectionsmay be fastened by a first plurality of wires (not illustrated) to a first row of vertical rebars of plurality of vertical rebarslocated along widthof armed scaffoldnext to side partof rammed earth wall. Furthermore, longitudinal sectionsmay be fastened by a second plurality of wires (not illustrated) to a second row of vertical rebars of plurality of vertical rebarslocated along widthof armed scaffoldnext to side partof rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, each transverse sectionof mesh networkmay have a width between in a range of about 20 cm to about 30 cm along thicknessof armed scaffold.

In an exemplary embodiment, each transverse sectionof mesh networkmay be placed within a distance in a range of about 7 cm to about 15 cm from outer surfaces of side partsandof rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, thicknessof armed scaffoldmay be in a range of about 20 cm to about 60 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, a soil mixture may be poured and rammed inside side partsandof rammed earth walland inside armed scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of an exemplary soil mixture at each side of armed scaffoldwithin side partsandmay be at least about 7 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary soil mixture may include a mixture of at least one of clay, silt, sand, gravel, a stabilizer, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary stabilizer may include at least one of cement, lime, bitumen, factory slag, ash, asphalt, plant fibers, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary soil mixture may include an exemplary stabilizer with a weight percent in a range of 5% to 15% relative to a total weight of an exemplary soil mixture.

In an exemplary embodiment, a continuity of mesh networkalong heightmay be a key issue. In an exemplary embodiment, continuous mesh networkmay prevent rammed earth wallfrom collapsing in a serious earthquake. In an exemplary embodiment, continuous mesh networkmay improve a compressive strength of rammed earth wallas a guarded network. Therefore, an enough time may be provided for inhabitants to escape from inside earthquake-resistant rammed earth structurewhen a serious earthquake happens.

shows a viewof an exemplary arrangement of structural elements of an armed corein connection to each other, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, armed coremay be an exemplar of armed coredescribed in connection withhereinabove. In an exemplary embodiment, pair of vertical rebarsmay include an exemplary pair of vertical rebars of plurality of vertical rebarsshown in. Furthermore, mesh networkmay be an exemplar of mesh networkand pair of horizontal rebarsmay include an exemplary pair of horizontal rebars of plurality of horizontal rebarsshown in. Moreover, plurality of transverse connectorsmay be an exemplar of plurality of transverse connectorsillustrated in.

In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of vertical rebarsmay include a plurality of pairs of vertical rebarsarranged in parallel with each other. In an exemplary embodiment, pairs of vertical rebarsmay be arranged at an equal distancein a range of about 50 cm to about 150 cm apart from each other along widthof armed scaffoldbetween two concrete columns. In an exemplary embodiment, distancebetween each two pair of vertical rebarsmay be about 1 m. In an exemplary embodiment, distancebetween each two pair of vertical rebarsmay be adjusted based on construction parameters and structural calculations. In an exemplary embodiment, each pair of vertical rebarsof plurality of vertical rebarsmay include a first vertical rebarand a second vertical rebarlocated opposite to each other along thicknessof armed scaffoldwith a distancein a range of about 10 cm to about 30 cm from each other. In an exemplary embodiment, distancebetween each first vertical rebarand second vertical rebarof each pair of vertical rebarsmay be adjusted at about 20 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, distancebetween each first vertical rebarand second vertical rebarof each pair of vertical rebarsmay be adjusted based on construction parameters and structural calculations. In an exemplary embodiment, each vertical rebarmay be located at a distance of at least about 7 cm from an outer edgeof side partas an exemplar of side partsorof rammed earth wall.

Furthermore,represents an engagement between armed coreand foundation(similar to foundationof) through confining a movement area of pair of vertical rebarsinside a holeformed in foundation. In an exemplary embodiment, holemay be an exemplar of an exemplary hole of plurality of holesillustrated in. In an exemplary embodiment, bottom ends of pair of vertical rebarsmay be placed inside a holeand enclosed by rammed earth or concrete there inside, so that a movement of pair of vertical rebarsmay be limited and pair of vertical rebarsmay be fixed at their designed location even in high stresses conditions, such as earthquake or strong winds.

Regarding, a pair of horizontal rebarsmay be located on both sides of each transverse sectionof mesh network. In an exemplary embodiment, pair of horizontal rebarsmay be fastened onto transverse sectionIn an exemplary embodiment, pair of horizontal rebarsmay be fastened by one or more wires (not illustrated) onto transverse sectionIn an exemplary embodiment, each two consecutive pairs of horizontal rebarsmay be spaced from each other by a vertical distance in a range of about 30 cm to about 70 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, each two consecutive pairs of horizontal rebarsmay be spaced from each other by a vertical distance of about 50 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, a distance between each two consecutive pairs of horizontal rebarsmay be equal to a height of a longitudinal sectionof mesh network. In an exemplary embodiment, a normal distancebetween each two horizontal rebarsandof pair of horizontal rebarsmay be in a range of about 10 cm to about 30 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, a normal distancebetween each two horizontal rebarsandof pair of horizontal rebarsmay be about 20 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, each horizontal rebarormay include a rebar made of at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, fiberglass, an epoxy, a composite, bamboo culms, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, each horizontal rebarormay have a diameter in a range of about 8 mm to about 20 mm.

With more reference to, armed coremay further include a plurality of U-shaped fastenersfastening pairs of vertical rebars, pairs of horizontal rebars, and mesh networktogether. In an exemplary embodiment, each U-shaped fastenermay enclose transverse sectionof mesh networkalong with pair of vertical rebarsand pair of horizontal rebarslocated at both sides of transverse sectionat a corner of armed core. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of U-shaped fastenersmay include a plurality of stirrups. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of U-shaped fastenersmay interconnect transverse sectionpair of vertical rebars, and pair of horizontal rebarsat an intersection of these elements. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of U-shaped fastenersmay fix pairs of vertical rebarsin their place and prevent them from deviating to outside or inside direction. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of U-shaped fastenersand pairs of horizontal rebarsmay fix mesh networkat a specific pre-determined distance.

shows a viewof an exemplary zigzag installation of mesh networkand an interconnection among mesh network, pairs of vertical rebars, pairs of horizontal rebars, plurality of transverse connectors, and restraining thereof by plurality of U-shaped fasteners, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, mesh networkmay include a plurality of openings. In an exemplary embodiment, each openingmay have a square-shaped openings with a dimension in a range of 1 cm to 3 cm by 1 cm to 3 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, each openingmay have an area in a range of 1 cmto 10 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary size of openingmay be adjusted based on construction parameters and structural calculations. In an exemplary embodiment, mesh networkmay include a wire grid network made of at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a geosynthetic material, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, mesh networkmay include a geogrid. In an exemplary embodiment, mesh networkmay internally reinforce rammed earth wallin combination with pairs of vertical rebarsand pairs of horizontal rebars.

Referring to, a strand of barbed wiremay be perpendicularly woven into mesh network. In an exemplary embodiment, strand of barbed wiremay include a plurality of sharped edges protruded from two sides of mesh networkand anchored into side partsandof rammed earth walltightening mesh networkto rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, strand of barbed wiremay provide further internally reinforcement to earthquake-resistant rammed earth structure. In an exemplary embodiment, strand of barbed wirefacing upward and downward may allow for firmly interaction between mesh networkand two side partsandof rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, mesh networkmay be easily separated from two layersandof rammed earth in the absence of strand of barbed wire. In an exemplary embodiment, strand of barbed wiremay include a plurality of sharped edges inserted into two side partsandof rammed earth and tightening mesh networkto two side partsandof rammed earth wall. In an exemplary embodiment, each sharp edge of an exemplary plurality of sharped edges of strand of barbed wiremay have a length in a range of about 0.5 cm to about 1 cm.