ABSTRACT
Reports from antiquity include another significant class of additives such as animal blood, molasses, eggs and animal dung. They were thought to have facilitated the workability of the mix by reducing the inter-granular friction. However, modern research shows that these additives can act as wonderful bio-activators. This aspect of the traditional rammed earth construction has remained unexplored in its modern avatars. This paper explores bio-activated rammed earth. The focus is on alleviation of the weaknesses such as moisture absorption, swelling and cracking. We shall demonstrate results from allied materials such as soil-cement blocks, sand columns and concrete blocks.
