Sustainable construction
Overview
Research work of Natural Building Materials grouping straddles both the development of materials and techniques for modern architecture and investigation of traditional vernacular architecture for conservation purposes. Main areas of current research are:
- Earthen architecture: strength, deformation and durability characteristics of rammed earth; development of guidance notes for modern rammed earth construction; development of unfired clay block masonry; physical properties of natural fibre – clay composites.
- Timber engineering: study of strength and stiffness of traditional green oak carpentry mortice and tenon joints; limit state performance of timber – concrete composite flooring.
- Dry-stone walling: stability analysis of dry-stone retaining walls through field study and distinct element analysis.
- Lime: physical characteristics of lime mortared masonry and lime concrete; plastic repairs of limestone masonry.
- Straw bale: structural properties of loadbearing straw bale construction.
People
| Martin Ansell |
Senior Lecturer |
| Andrew Heath |
Lecturer |
| Paul McCombie |
Senior Lecturer |
| Peter Walker |
Senior Lecturer |
| |
|
| David Clark |
Research student |
| Cesar Gonzalez-Murillo |
Research student |
| Mike Lawrence |
Research student |
| Vasilios Maniatidis |
Research student |
| Jon Shanks |
Research student |
