Experimental Study On Cement-based Material For Repairing The Rammed Earth Wall Of Tulou

Fujian Tulou is located in the southeast coastal area of China. It always suffered heavy rains, typhoons and other severe weather. Many of them have a history for hundreds of years, although they have not yet collapsed after strong storm for years, the accumulated wind-driven rain erosion have caused great damage to the rammed earth wall, the erosion will gradually swallow it over time. It’s vital and urgent to protect these wonderful earth buildings with effective measures. Based on the investigate and survey on the failure forms,this paper completed experimental study on modified rammed earth and materials applied for repairing and protecting the rammed earth wall with capacity to resist rain splash erosion. This research has the practical reference value for protection of Fujian Tulou.First of all,the research conduct investigation on Tulou in Yongding County to learn about the structural characteristics and sum up the main diseases and the failure pattern of rammed earth wall, analyzed the reason that caused the diseases briefly. Focus on the observation of damage condition caused by the wind-driven rain erosion, preparing for the later work.Analyzed rammed earth properties through basic physical properties test of the rammed earth material. Modified rammed earth with cement and bamboo cane to test the compressive strength. Analyzed the influence on the compressive strength of rammed earth samples by different modification method and materials’ content.Modified mud is mixed clay with cement in different content. Then plaster it on the samples and conduct the splash erosion test with single raindrop. The influence on the splash erosion to the modified mud of different raindrop diameter and wind angel are analyzed. The results show that: the modified mud mixed with cement can enhance the ability of resistance to splash erosion effectively, the biggest diameter raindrop in the test couldn’t cause obvioussplash damage to the modified mud as the cement content reached to 10%.The proper cement content should be 15% considered of bigger diameter raindrop in actual rainfall.By mixing grit, plant fiber and chemical to restrain the cracks happened from the modified mud in process of curing. The test results show that the plant fiber is the most effective method to restrain the development of cracks,it’s suitable for practical application.