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International Workshop on Rammed Earth Materials and Sustainable Structures &

Forum on Hakka Rammed Earth Buildings (Tulou)’ 2011

 

In conjunction with

International Symposium on Innovation & Sustainability of Structures in Civil Engineering (ISISS’2011)

October 28 -30, 2011, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China

 

 

Date:   Oct 28 – 31, 2011              Place:      Xiamen University, Xiamen, China

 

 

Organized by

West Virginia University Constructed Facilities Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA

Xiamen University Department of Civil Engineering, Xiamen, Fujian, China

 

 

One half of the world's population, approximately three billion people on six continents, lives or works in buildings constructed of earth.

Ronald Rael, University of California, Berkeley and Founder of EarthArchitecture.org

 

 

Introduction: Rammed earth is a sustainable construction material due to many benefits for the environment  including: 1) natural (non processed) material, 2) universal availability, 3) durability, 4) recyclability, 5) low embodied energy, 6) low CO2 emissions, 7) high thermal mass, 8) traditional construction method, and 9) low cost for material, construction, transportation. Hakka rammed earth buildings in Fujian Province of China reflect the importance of historical precedents, universal evolution, emerging innovation and advancement in the science and engineering of rammed earth construction, from 8th century to 20th century. They are considered as “EcoVillages” of best practices for planet earth’s sustainability in their planning, design, construction, lifestyle, resource management, micro industries, renewable energy, recycling of human and animal waste, and a low ecological footprint.

 

Objectives: Thru the proposed workshop, the organizers would like to bring together researchers from the USA and China along with invited participants from Australia, Canada, Japan and UK to conduct a joint workshop at XMU on research potential of earth based materials and sustainable structures. The objectives of the proposed workshop will be: 1) to exchange success stories and lessons learned from the use of rammed earth as a structural material and construction technique for sustainable structures, including review of current rammed earth construction specifications and standards, 2) to address challenges and strategies for advancing the use of earth based structural materials in modern construction, 3) to establish a network of professionals to catalyze collaborative research, development and implementation including international partnerships, and 4) to develop joint R&D programs with emphasis on utilization of rammed earth material in modern construction by minimizing embodied energy. In addition, the workshop participants will have opportunity to witness the sustainability of World Heritage Hakka (ancient) village in-service and learn a few exemplary lessons potentially leading to modifications in contemporary construction techniques.

 

Activities: The workshop will be opened with presentations by invited participants at XMU in two half-a-day sessions, followed by one half-a-day roundtable discussion session on joint research and development topics and program development, and continued by a field study tour of Hakka rammed earth buildings in Yongding County, Fujian Province, which is located within 3 hours driving distance from XMU. Furthermore, a special lunch session will be organized for interacting with Hakka rammed earth construction Masters (local field experts) and viewing the US History Channel film entitled “History Made for Tomorrow: Hakka Tulous (Hakka Rammed Earth Buildings)” by its Director.

 

Tentative Agenda: 

Oct 28, 2011 Friday                      Arrival and Registration

                                                      Evening Reception

 

Oct 29, 2011 Saturday      AM      Symposium Plenary Session: Keynote Lectures

Lunch

                              PM      Workshop Session 1: Invited Lectures

Banquet

 

Oct 30, 2011 Sunday        AM      Workshop Session 2: Invited Lectures

                                                      Lunch

PM      Workshop Session 3: Roundtable Discussions and Programs Development

Dinner

 

Oct 31, 2011 Monday       AM      Departure from XMU for a Field Study Tour of World Heritage Hakka

Rammed Earth Buildings

                                                      Tour of Hakka Villages

Lunch upon Arrival at Yongding

                                                      Special Lunch Session:

1.      Interaction with Hakka rammed earth construction Masters (local field experts), allowing workshop participants to learn first-hand ancient Hakka secrets of rammed earth constructions;

2.      Screening of US History Channel Film: History Made for Tomorrow - Hakka Rammed Earth Buildings.

PM      Tour of Hakka Villages

            Return Trip via Nanjing Hakka Villages to XMU

Dinner

 

                                                     

 

Important Dates

March 15, 2011                 Deadline for abstracts

April 15, 2011                   Notification of abstract of acceptance

June 15, 2011                    Dead line for full manuscript

July 15, 2011                     Notification of final acceptance

Oct. 28 - 31, 2011             ISISS’2011 and US/China Workshop

 

Download Information

ISISS’ 2011 Brochure

Information about Xiamen and Xiaman University

Photo Tour on Hakka Tulou (rammed earth buildings) (a set of slides made in 2001)

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For more information, please contact the Workshop Organizer: Dr. Ruifeng (Ray) Liang, rliang@mail.wvu.edu, (304) 293 9348