Mechanical behaviour of rammed earth column: A comparison between unreinforced, steel and bamboo reinforced columns

This paper presents an experimental study on the behavior of cement stabilized rammed earth (CSRE) column reinforced with steel under axial loading and its comparison with unreinforced and bamboo reinforced columns. Effects of structural parameters such as tie / stirrup spacing on the failure pattern, lateral and axial deformation of columns are studied. Test results show that the load-capacity of columns increases with increase in lateral / tie reinforcement ratio. Maximum axial and lateral deformations occur in columns with least tie spacing. Behavior of CSRE columns reinforced with close tie spacing is characterized by gradual spalling of cover at the failure zone. Steel reinforced columns perform better than other column types in terms of load-capacity; hence it may be used as structural member adjacent to walls for low-rise rammed earth houses. Proposed reinforcement technique can be adopted in the field for enhancement of greater strength and performance of columns.