Abstract:
In 1998 three comprehensive earth building standards were produced in New Zealand to meet the specific regulatory framework and building culture in this seismically active country. The standards provide a useful reference for other countries. Improvements to the New Zealand Standards for Earth Buildings are proposed with reliable earth building material and structural properties. Local and international research is required, with large numbers of test samples, to determine rigorous results with known statistical reliability. A new analytical procedure, revised design philosophy, and improved document format are recommended based on burnt brick and concrete masonry research and masonry design standards.
