1 This Standard sets out requirements for the materials and workmanship requirements for the use of unfired earth in the form of adobe, pressed earth brick, rammed earth or poured earth. This Standard applies to buildings which are designed in accordance with NZS 4297 Engineering design of earth buildings and NZS 4299 Earth buildings not requiring specific design.
C1.1.1
In addition to the requirements for adobe, pressed earth bricks poured earth and rammed earth, recommendations are given in an informative Appendix on cob and in situ adobe. Recommendations for earth floors and for surface coatings for earth watts are also included in 2 informative Appendices.
2 Soil/cement mixtures which contain more than 15 % by weight of cement are outside the scope of this Standard.
3 Two grades of earth wall construction are provided for in this Standard. They are:
(a) Standard grade which provides minimum properties for material for:
(i) The construction of single and two storey earth buildings in accordance with NZS 4299 and which are subject to the limitations imposed by clause 1.2 of NZS 4299; and
(ii) Use in buildings which are subject to specific engineering design using the design strengths defined in clause 4.4.2 of NZS 4297.
Standard grade earth wall construction provides minimum properties for earth wall construction for use in buildings which are constructed in accordance with NZS 4297 or NZS 4299. Such buildings will satisfy the requirements of the clauses of the New Zealand Building Code which are set out in NZS 4297 or NZS 4299.
(b) Special grade earth wall construction is material which meets minimum properties which are defined in the design and is applicable to buildings subject to specific engineering design to NZS 4297. Special grade earth wall construction shall meet or exceed all requirements for standard grade earth wall construction. Buildings incorporating special grade earth wall construction will satisfy the requirements of the clauses of the New Zealand Building Code as set out in NZS 4297.
4 The objective of this Standard is to provide a means of compliance with the materials and workmanship requirements of structures designed in accordance with either or both of NZS 4297 and NZS 4299.
C1.1.4
This Standard is not intended to be referenced by the New Zealand Building Code Approved Documents but NZS 4297 and NZS 4299 are intended to be referenced.