Earth Brick - Traditional
Unfired clay bricks (adobe/mud bricks) made from a mixture of earth, clay, sand, water, and organic fibres (typically straw or grass), hand-moulded or pressed and sun-dried. Traditional earth bricks are one of humanity's oldest building materials, used for load-bearing and infill walls in residential construction. The ideal soil composition is approximately 15% clay, 10-30% silt, and 55-75% fine sand, with straw or other natural fibres added at 1-4% by volume for tensile reinforcement and crack control. Bricks are typically 300 x 140 x 100 mm or similar dimensions, sun-dried for 2-4 weeks until fully cured. In Australia, mud brick construction is regulated under NCC Volume 2 for Class 1 and 10 buildings, with compliance typically achieved through performance solutions assessed by suitably qualified engineers. The Earth Building Association of Australia (EBAA) promotes earth building standards and practices. Mud brick walls provide excellent thermal mass, fire resistance, and acoustic insulation, but require protection from moisture through deep eaves, renders, and good drainage design.
- Residential load-bearing walls
- Thermal mass walls (passive solar design)
- Infill walls in timber frame
- Garden and landscape walls
Earth building is one of the oldest construction techniques known to humanity, with adobe structures dating back over 10,000 years. The earliest known adobe structures are found in the Middle East and North Africa. Notable historical examples include the Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali (rebuilt 1907, original 13th century), the adobe pueblos of the American Southwest (some over 1,000 years old), and numerous ancient structures across Central Asia, South America, and the Mediterranean. In Australia, early European settlers used mud brick extensively from the 1830s onward, particularly in Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales. Many of these colonial-era mud brick buildings survive today. The 1970s saw a significant revival of mud brick building driven by the alternative living movement and environmental awareness. The Earth Building Association of Australia (EBAA) was formed to promote and standardise earth building practices. Contemporary earth building incorporates modern engineering understanding of soil mechanics, seismic design, and moisture management while retaining the fundamental simplicity and sustainability of traditional techniques.
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.