'Sandcastle' key to green future
SANDCASTLES could hold the key to reviving a forgotten eco-friendly building technique.
As every child at the seaside knows, a little water is needed to keep a sandcastle standing up.
In the same way, the strength of "rammed earth" – a "green" construction material made from sand, gravel and clay – depends on its water content, scientists say.
The use of rammed earth is growing in popularity as a sustainable building method. Typically it is moistened and compacted within a supporting framework. The technique was developed in ancient China around 4,000 years ago.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Scottish independence: I don’t want ‘separatism’ says Sir Tom Farmer
- Police investigate death of man, 31, on West Highland Way
- The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip
- Leveson inquiry: Tony Blair defends links with Rupert Murdoch
- Craig Levein insists Scotland will recover from US thrashing
- Scottish independence: I don’t want ‘separatism’ says Sir Tom Farmer
- The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip
- Craig Levein insists Scotland will recover from US thrashing
- James McPake set for Coventry talks as Hibs wait in wings
- Scottish independence: Labour voters ‘will deliver independence’
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
