Rammed Earth construction is an age old method that is still a great method used all around the world. Most of the time you will build a shell or “framework” for the wall out of lumber and begin adding damp natural raw materials such as soil, chalk, gravel, or lime. You will then tamp or compress the material to create a strong enough wall to remove the framework.

 

Pros:

·         Easy to work with – Most of the time, this construction method takes little to no experience to be successful in building a structure.

·         Materials – Because you are using local soil or materials, it can be easy to acquire the correct building materials to complete your project.

·         Longevity – This method has been used for thousands of years and has proven to be a very trusted method for creating structures that stand the test of time.

·         Construction Costs – The cost of materials are greatly reduced in this method if done right, compared to conventional materials.

·         Cons:

·         Soil – Soil selection is critical and if you are using soil from your construction site, it will be another task to figure out what to do with the large holes created from gathering the material.

·         Labor Costs – If you choose to not do the construction yourself, you will be struck with hiring a specialty contractor to come to your site which can get very costly.

·         Design – Circular shapes are out of the question most of the time, due to the difficulty in designing the forms. Majority of rammed earth structures are box shaped.

Shipping/Cargo Containers

Building with shipping/cargo containers is exactly what it sounds like. There are millions of unused shipping container around the world that can be purchased and modified to create a structure. Most of the time this method will require quite a bit of modification and reinforcement to the containers in order to provide a safe and strong structure.

 

Pros:

·         Quick Construction – This is the best quality when it comes to building with Shipping/Cargo Containers. Most of the modification and fabrication of the containers is done off-site by the manufacturer leading to quick construction on-site.

·         Affordable – If designed correctly, container structures can be constructed at an affordable cost because of the amount of money saved on steel and other building materials.

·         Eco-Friendly – Reusing these steel containers contributes the amount of containers that will end up in landfills. Also, by utilizing the steel how it is, you are avoiding the harmful process of casting steel which emits many harmful chemicals into the air.

·         Cons:

·         Insulation – Container homes are not good for living in places with extreme heat or extreme cold. The amount of insulation needed to make them livable in such conditions will create a living space that may not be worth the cost or trouble.

·         Design – A shipping container home can get very costly when it comes to engineering costs and reinforcement. If you are trying to create a home or structure with an open floor plan, this is not the best material to use. Cutting and modifying the container to make this possible will lower the structural integrity and will most likely cost more than the container did to make strong again.

·         Building Codes – Most cities or towns will not be accepting of building structures out of shipping containers. You will need an experienced engineer to persuade the building department by developing a safe structural design that follows the building codes (if there are any).

Conclusion

All types of construction methods have their pros and cons, it is about finding the best for your project. With the surge in building sustainable or “green” be sure to take all options into consideration and select the method that best fits your location, skills, and budget. Be sure to check out some of the other sustainable building methods available at www.structure1.com, our team of engineers will be sure to develop a safe and efficient design to meet all of your wants and needs regardless of the materials used.