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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
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
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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