How to Use In-situ Soils as Building Materials

Using in-situ soils for building constructions is attractive in the sustainable development because these materials have low embodied energy and present an interesting hygro-thermal behavior. Several researches have been recently carried out to study soil materials. However, the variability of soil characteristics on each construction site makes that the use of an unique construction technique (soil concrete, rammed earth, adobe, …) becomes difficult to satisfy several exigencies of the modern regulations (mechanical, thermal performances, durability and earthquake resistance), and the economic criterion. This paper introduces firstly a strategy which can facilitate the use of in-situ soils for building constructions. Relevant techniques corresponding to several in-situ soil types are proposed. Then, the application of the proposed approach is showed with a case study on a building project using a soil concrete. Several aspects are investigated: material optimization, architectural design, structural-thermal performances and life cycle analysis.