Description

This Standard sets out requirements for the materials and workmanship requirements for the use of unfired earth in the form of adobe, pressed earth brick, rammed earth or poured earth.

This Standard applies to buildings which are designed in accordance with NZS 4297 Engineering design of earth buildings and NZS 4299 Earth buildings not requiring specific design.

This Standard provides a means of compliance with the materials and workmanship requirements of earth walled structures. Test methods for earth building materials and criteria for acceptable results are included.

Scope

Soil/cement mixtures which contain more than 15 % by weight of cement are outside the scope of this Standard.

Two grades of earth wall construction are provided for in this Standard. They are:

• (a) Standard grade which provides minimum properties for material for:
  • (i) The construction of single and two storey earth buildings in accordance with NZS 4299 and which are subject to the limitations imposed by clause 1.2 of NZS 4299; and
  • (ii) Use in buildings which are subject to specific engineering design using the design strengths defined in clause 4.4.2 of NZS 4297. Standard grade earth wall construction provides minimum properties for earth wall construction for use in buildings which are constructed in accordance with NZS 4297 or NZS 4299. Such buildings will satisfy the requirements of the clauses of the New Zealand Building Code which are set out in NZS 4297 or NZS 4299.
• (b) Special grade earth wall construction is material which meets minimum properties which are defined in the design and is applicable to buildings subject to specific engineering design to NZS 4297. Special grade earth wall construction shall meet or exceed all requirements for standard grade earth wall construction. Buildings incorporating special grade earth wall construction will satisfy the requirements of the clauses of the New Zealand Building Code as set out in NZS 4297.

This revised standard continues to be a core resource and reflect advances in earth building practice, research, changes in referenced standards, and changes in building legislation: the Building Act 2004 and the New Zealand Building Code.