Innovations in clay and other natural building materials

This talk was given at the Earth Building Association Australia Conference 2017. Learn more at https://www.ebaa.asn.au/. The paper presents summary of research and development work undertaken at the University of Bath over the past 10 years in natural building materials and technologies, focusing on earthen construction. This work has included studies on durability of rammed earth, structural properties of rammed earth, development extruded unfired clay bricks, novel mortars for unfired clay masonry, and innovative clay plasters for improved indoor air quality. Greater use of prefabricated approaches to construction has been a consistent theme across different approaches. As well as presenting results from research projects the presentation draws upon experience from a variety of award winning building projects. Pete Walker (FIStructE,  MICE, MIEAust), Director BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials  Pete is a chartered civil engineer. Pete studied in the UK at Sheffield City Polytechnic (BSc Civil Engineering) and the University of Edinburgh (PhD Structural Engineering). Having previously worked in Zimbabwe (University of Zimbabwe) and Australia (University of New England (1994-1997)), Pete joined the University of Bath in 1998. He was promoted to Professor in 2006 on becoming Director of the newly formed BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials. His current research interests include bio-based construction materials, materials for improved indoor air quality, and earthen construction.