Adobe Madre Building System

Construction Overview

Adobe Building Systems, LLC

Presentation by Lisa Schroder
August 2010
 What is Adobe?
ADOBE – An air dried brick
made from a puddle earth
cast mix in a mould and
which contains a mixture of
clay, sand, and sometimes
silt. Sometimes contains
straw or a stabilizer.

Also known as mud-brick.

 History of Adobe Building
Structural remnants of earthen walls provide evidence that humans
have been building with earthen materials for more than 10,000
years. Still today, earthen homes provide shelter for more than 50
percent of the world's population. Due to their longevity and ease
of use, adobe bricks rank as the world’s most popular earth
building material.

The ancient city of Arg-e-Bam in Iran is made entirely of

mud bricks, clay, straw and the trunks of palm trees.
 Overview of Presentation
The lay-up of adobe bricks is the
easiest, most forgiving way to
achieve a solid masonry wall
system.
Motivated by this fact, this
presentation focuses on the
construction of adobe walls
which includes our patented
reinforcement and scaffolding
systems. We will discuss how to
make and lay adobe bricks, how
to install lintels and arches,
conduits and pipes, doors and
windows, top plates and bond-
beams.
 Our Adobe Product
Our methods of building will
produce a premium product
that will:
• Meet and often exceed
inspection standards.
• Have structural integrity and
aesthetic appeal.
• Are sustainable due to the
efficient use of natural
resources
• And have minimal effort for
long-term maintenance.
 Ideal Building Material
1. Ease of extraction from the
earth
2. Minimal manufacturing costs
3. Ease of construction
4. Long duration of high-performance
use.
5. Biodegradable
6. Non-toxic
7. Affordable.

Adobe bricks come closer than any other building

material in meeting these standards.
 As well as…Energy Efficient
Adobe homes have good
thermal dynamics and
thermal mass. This is a
measure of how much
energy or heat the material
can retain. When the brick
heats up, it can hold a large
amount of heat and then
release it slowly.
Thermal Insulation
• For earth walls the thermal
resisitance, R, may be taken
as 2.04 times the wall
thickness in meters plus 0.12.
The units are in m2 deg C/W.
• The thermal performance of
earth walls is greatly improved
by the effect of thermal mass
due to an effect known as
“thermal lag”. The thermal lag
for earth walls is of the order of
7-10 hours for a 280mm thick
wall. The wall thickness is
generally required to satisfy
without additional insulation.
 Strength Requirements
• The building department in
New Zealand allow adobe
bricks to be as low as 190
PSI (1.3 MPa). However,
such a brick would be so
weak that it would be
difficult to handle without
breakage and would
certainly not last as long as
a brick with a higher PSI (or
MPa). The use of about 5-
7% cement increases the
strength by three-fold,
creating a brick with a 580
PSI (4 MPa).
 Design Strengths
Compressive Strength (flexural, direct fe = 0.5
compression or bearing)

Maximum total nominal shear stress fn = 0.09

Shear strength of earth for wind loading and for fes = 0.08
seismic load with elastic response

Shear strength of earth for limited ductile (µ = fes = 0.0

2.0) seismic loading

Shear strength of steel reinforced earth fes = 0.35

Tensile/flexural bond strength feb = 0.02
Flexural tensile strength (modulus of rupture) fet = 0.1

Strengths (MPa) to be used for design or standard grade earth wall construction.
This guide can be found in New Zealand Earth Building Standards
www.standards.co.nz
 Adobe Brick Testing
• At various points in the
brick-making process,
bricks must be strength-
tested with a compression
test or “crush test”. This is
to ensure that the
engineered mix design has
been met and that the
bricks are generally uniform
in strength. Other tests
include an erosion test,
absorption test, and
modulus of rupture test.
 Tests for adobe construction
Compression or flexural fe > 1.3 MPa or > 1.9 MPa for
tensile strength special grade (compression)
fet > 0.25 MPa or > 2.1 for
special grade (flexural tensile)

Wet/dry appraisal Pass

Durability Required to provide for a
building life of not less than 50
years.
Shrinkage of cement stabilized ≤ 1.0%
mortar
Whole Brick drop Test Pass
 Materials for Adobe
• For workability and durability the most desirable adobe mixture
consists of about 70% sand, 23.5% clay, 6.5% cement and just
enough water to achieve the proper consistency. The sand and
aggregate provide strength, whereas the clay acts as a binder and
plastic medium to “glue” the other ingredients together. The cement
fills smaller voids, which “chink,” or lock the matrix together.

Typical Particle Distribution

 Alternative Stabilizers
• Lime
• Bitumen
Other natural alternatives include:
• Pozzolanas (a natural or artificial material
containing silica and/or alumina)
• Volcanic ashes
• Pulverized-fuel ash
• Rice husk ash
• or even some types of manure.
 Simple Jar Test
• Use a jar with a flat bottom
and a capacity of at least
one-quart (one liter). Fill
the jar half-full of soil and
then fill with water. Shake Water
the jar vigorously for 30
seconds and allow the
cloudy water to sit
completely still for at least Clay
12 hours. Shake
vigorously again, this time Silt
for one minute and allow
mixture to rest again in an
undisturbed, still place for Sand
at least 24 hours.
 Unsuitable Soils for Adobe
• Organic matter of a type prone to rot or breakdown within the wall;

• Those that contain soluble salts to an extent which will impair the
strength or durability of a wall;

• Those containing aggregate large enough to impair the strength or

homogeneous structural performance of the wall. Such soils may
be suitable if screened.

• Some soils dry to form an earth building material with a surface

containing fine cracks. The cracks are generally short with a
random orientation. The surface layer will continue to flake off,
particularly if there are changes in moisture content.

• Soils which fail the wet/dry appraisal test.

 Adobe Brick Production
• Mix the adobe mud in a regular
concrete mixer
• Wheelbarrow it to the molds
• Tip the adobe mixture into the
molds
• Pack and level off flat with a
concrete rake
• Lift the molds off right away and
“leap-frog” the molds forward
• Continue
A team of 3 workers can produce
600 bricks a day. An average size
home would use around 5,000
bricks.
 Our Unique Brick Types

Half U-Brick Double U-Brick Channel Brick Standard Brick

Scaffold-Service O-Brick U-Scaffold Brick U-Brick

Bricks in Construction
 The Vertical Column
• Individual adobe bricks are laid into the wall based on the design requirements of the structure. In
other words, the brick pattern is determined by the following that are already in place:
• Vertical Reinforcing
• Electrical Conduits
• Plumbing Pipes
• Spare Sleeves
• Standard-Bricks are most often used though you could use an “O-Brick” or “U-Brick” and fill the
void with adobe mortar as you lay the brick into the wall.
 Footings for Adobe
The footings are part of the foundation system which serves as a rigid collar on
which the structure sits. It must be rigid and unified so that the structure above
will not settle, nor allow the walls to spread or separate.

4” Concrete Slab
Underslab (DPC)
1” Sand Blinding
1” Polystyrene
4” Compacted Hardfill
Cut ground level cleared of top soil down to
Floor Level firm undisturbed ground

Ground Level

½” starer rods at 2’6” centers fold into slab

Footing for Round Structure
 Footing on Sloping Ground

Even Courses to Sills

Timber Floor System

Concrete Bond-Beam

Concrete brick
Shown hatched

Concrete Bricks 9” Starter rods at

Adobe ground level 36”c. extend
Into 1st 2 courses
2’ deep footing for Of adobe wall
Two storey building Wherever main
Wall rods not
Present
Adobe Wall Construction

The primary aim of the bricklayer is to create a

wall that is level. By laying uniform bed joins
and by keeping the top of the bricks parallel to
the string-line, the wall will be level.
Adobe Brick Buttresses
All house walls over a
certain length must have
intersecting walls or
buttresses to add
structural integrity.

Buttresses, also called piers,

are actually short walls that
intersect the main house
walls.
 Adobe Wall Reinforcement
1-3/8” sand/cement join

Durable timber plate spans from

intersecting wall to intersecting
wall. Fixed with wall
reinforcing rods folded 10” over
plate with five 2” galvanized
staples.

Rod for timber lintel hooks

under lintel in predrilled holes.
Use 2” staples to temporarily
affix rod to lintel.

Typical cross-section showing anchor rods folded over timber top plate
 Anchor Rods
Durable timber plate for fixing
roof. Use suitable damp-
proofing under. Fix with 1/2“
galvanized bolts poured into
concrete beam.

11-1/4" wide concrete beam to

required depth with required
steel

Wherever main wall rods not

present ½” rods @ 30" c.
grouted into 3 courses of adobe
brick wall. Fold 10" over top
plate with 5-2" galvanized
staples. Typical Cross-Section
showing anchor rods grouted into 3 courses of adobe
bricks and folded over top plate every 30”.
 Horizontal Reinforcement
668 galvanized mesh strips or
Geogrid (fabric) every 5 courses
(where required by engineer) biased
towards inside of wall (allow 2-3/4”
cover from outside of building)

• If your engineer has required

horizontal mesh, it is normally
placed at every fifth course
(i.e. over the 5th, 10th, 15th,
etc) before the mortar is
Kabul, Afghanistan USAID project
placed for the next course.
 What about Cracks?
• Cracks can occur on any masonry
surface, including adobe walls.
Yet, if care is taken, a home can
be built that has no cracks. In
addition, if adobe walls do crack,
they are usually minor and do not
require any structural repair.
The major causes of cracks are:
• An inadequate foundation system.
Your engineer should establish
that your building site’s ground is
firm enough.
• Laying bricks before they are
sufficiently cured.
• Inadequate mortar joins.
• Inadequately cured the mortar
(probably due to failure to keep
the walls damp).
• Failure to strategically place
control joints.
 Control Joints
Control joints are
planned vertical wall
separations. They
basically divide a wall
into separate panels,
similar to what happens
naturally after shrinkage
cracks occur.
 Scaffold System
To ensure the safety of the
scaffolding, adhere to the
following requirements:
• A 1⅞” (48mm) scaffolding pipe
must be placed directly in the
corners and then every 4’
(1200mm) on centers.
• A minimum of 6 adobe brick
courses must be laid over the
scaffold pipe locations.

2-1/3" (60mm) DIA CORE 2-1/3" (60mm) DIA CORE

FOR SCAFFOLD PIPE FOR SCAFFOLD PIPE
11¼" (280mm) 11¼" (280mm)

11¼" 11¼"
(280mm) (280mm)

4¾" 4¾"
(120mm) (120mm) CORE 4½"
(115mm) DIA.

"SCAFFOLD-STANDARD" "U-SCAFFOLD"
 Lintels for Adobe Building
• Lintels are the beams over windows
and doors. They can be made from
timber, concrete, or when reinforced,
even the adobe bricks themselves.
The purpose of the lintel is to support
the load above, be it bricks, roof, or a
second story. In addition to the adobe
bricks, the lintels have an important
aesthetic impact on the structure.
 Construction of Timber Lintels
Rod for timber lintel
hooks under lintel in
predrilled holes. Use 2”
staples to temporarily
affix rod to lintel.
Sand/cement mortar join
over lintel.

Two 4-3/4” x 4-3/4” timber lintels. Use 2 coats

damp-proofer at all contacts with masonry.

Drip groove
Concrete Lintels
8” wide x 5-1/4” tall
concrete bond-beam
with reinforcing at floor
level. Veneer bricks
cover bond-beam.

Rod ties concrete lintel

to concrete beam. Use
at 4’ centers max
starting at center of
lintel.

Timber joinery shown –

can be aluminum or
PVC.
 Adobe Brick Arches
Incorporating adobe arches into your design is a great way
to achieve structural integrity in your openings, as well as
creating a beautiful and inviting entry.
This enchanting
design element
has been built
over the centuries
and remains one
of the strongest
geometrical
shapes used in
construction.
 Construction of
Adobe Arches
Cross-section for a reinforced
adobe arch

Adobe Channel Bricks

Rebate all lintels and arches by 5/8”

to provide weather seal

Rod ties arch to top plate or

concrete beam. Use at 36”c. max.
starting at center of arch.
 Adobe Arch Considerations
• The joinery tends to cost more
than for square openings.
• Formwork must be built for
each different size of window.

• Formwork should be left in place

until two or more courses are laid up
above the arch to ensure even
compression.
• Properly built arches will not
collapse, while anything else can be
disastrous.
 Joinery for Adobe
• The joinery can be made from
wood, aluminum, or PVC. It is
important to note that the type of
joinery one selects will affect the
overall cost of the building.
Custom-made joinery is the best
option because it can be made to
suit the brick increments. If
custom-made joinery is not
available, prefabricated joinery is
also acceptable. The widths of
the openings or the height of the
lintels can be adjusted by
chopping bricks to fit the required
size of the joinery.
 Installation of Joinery

Fix the joinery firmly into every

4th course of adobe bricks. Vertical Rough
Opening =
Odd number
The joinery may be fixed of courses +
with one of the following: ¾” (20mm)
• 5¼” (135mm) expanding mortar join
shaft nylon anchors
• 6” (150mm) galvanized
bullet-head (jolt-head)
nails.
• 4” (100mm) screw fixed
into gringo blocks.
Sills always even
Courses from FL
 Window and Door Sills
• Sills are a very crucial part of the wall
system because the glass sheds
rainwater quickly and it accumulates
on the wall below the sills more so
than any other part of the building.

Sturdy sill tile

protrudes past wall

Concrete sill beams

required for all 2 story
windows or single story
windows when
earthquake risk is high
 Bond-Beam for Adobe Structures

Bond beams do the following:

• Lock the top of the wall
together in event of an
earthquake or severe winds.
• Assist in supporting lateral
loads between adjacent
transverse structural walls.
• Provide anchorage of floor and
roof members.
• Tie the adobe walls together.
 Types of Bond-Beams
There are two types of
bond-beams for the
top of the wall:
• Timber plates
• Reinforced concrete.
 Timber Top Plate
Rebar is shown
folded over and
stapled in place.

Sand and
cement mortar
is packed
between the
last course of
bricks and the
top plate once
the plates are
level.
 Concrete Bond-Beam
11-1/4” wide concrete
beam to required depth
with required steel.

Timber boxing in place for

concrete bond beam at
mid-story level.
 Multi-Storey Adobe Structures
Cross-section showing a timber floor system
at mid-floor level

Boundary joists bolted to bond-beam at

2’c.and affixed with ½” x ½” washer and nut.

8” wide x 5-1/2” tall concrete bond-beam with

2 rods at mid-floor level. Veneer bricks cover
bond-beam.

½” galvanized bolts poured into bond beam.

• Concrete bond-beams
can be slurry washed or
plastered to suit the color
of the main wall.
 Adobe Plaster and Design
Elements
Application of Adobe Plaster

• Wait at least 4 weeks after the last bricks

are laid before starting your base coat to
allow any wall shrinkage to occur.
• Always start at the bottom of your reach and
work upwards.
• Always apply coatings in fair weather
followed by several days of fair weather with
temperatures remaining above 40°F (4.5°C).
 Summary of Adobe Construction
• The humble adobe brick has been in
constant use for over 10,000 years. It
is the only building material that is not
a fad. Suitable to any architectural
style, it can be engineered to suit even
a wet climate and earthquake prone
region.

• Using local materials for construction is

an environmentally-friendly way to
build.

• A green solution for today’s

construction.