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The following is a selection from a number of rammed earth buildings which were surveyed in northern Spain in September 2006. The work was funded by the Institution of Structural Engineers Rowen Travel Award, and an article will soon appear in The Structural Engineer magazine. Typological descriptions of historic rammed earth construction are described in the paper Historic Rammed Earth Structures in Spain one of my publications.
Ambel preceptory
The building has been extensively studied by Dr Chris Gerrard who is part of the Archaeology Department at the University of Durham. Investigations have been carried out into the structural behaviour of the building. Of particular interest is the movement of the north wall of one tower, which has caused a large crack in the east wall. It can be seen that the north wall is leaning outwards at the base, and thus the top of the wall extends significantly from the base. The crack extends through the full width of the wall, and there are gaps between the north wall and floor at each level. For more information on Ambel, see the research page.
The preceptory at Bureta is similar in construction to that in Ambel, suggesting that parts were built around the same time. The style is marked by rammed earth faced in half bricks, and rammed earth acting as infill between brick columns.
Bureta preceptory
This barn in the village of Villafeliche is constructed using the Tapial con lunetos technique, literally meaning 'half moons'. A lime rich layers is laid between each lift, and stones are placed in the corner of the formwork, which are then mortared in place. It can be seen that the softer earth has eroded leaving the lime areas standing proud. A lean of the gable end of the building has produced a crack in the side wall, and the crack propagates through the centre of the softer each layers or through the interface of the earth and lime.
Villafeliche Barn, gable end
Villafeliche Barn, cracked face
This chapel, outside of Villafeliche is built in a similar style to that found at Ambel and Bureta, with rammed earth acting as an infill between structural brickwork. The domed roof of the building collapsed at some point in the past, and the fall has led to the columns crashing through the rammed earth walls on one side of the building. The removal of the roof structure is likley to have caused the outward leaning of the walls and the two cracks at the edges of the wall which can be seen below. There is increased erosion of the rammed earth on one side of the building, suggesting that the prevailing wind is causing pitting and scour from the surface.
Villafeliche Chapel, leaning walls
Villafeliche Chapel, face erosion
Villafeliche Chapel, arch collapse
Villafeliche Chapel, column collapse
Villafeliche Chapel, arch about to collapse
The city of Daroca is encircled by a number of different rammed earth walls, with watchtowers and forts on high points surrounding the city. Torre Jaques, below was built in many stages as indicated by the numerous rammed earth construction techniques which can be seen in the face. The base of the tower is constructed completely in random rubble masonry, and the only entrance to the tower is around 6m above ground level.
Daroca, Torre Jaques
The Great Hall at Daroca is constructed in rammed earth, but it appears that vertical timbers were used every 5m, either to prevent shrinkage, or to support a roof structure. When the building was abandoned the timbers were removed, leaving only the rammed earth which is visible today.
Daroca, Great Hall
Daroca, Great hall wall, timber removed
In 1837 the town of Daroca came under attack and a rammed earth defensive wall was built around important sites. This wall still survives, and the holes in the wall are rifle ports, overlooking the city.
Daroca, rammed earth defensive wall