Cardboard-Confined Rammed Earth Offers Cement Alternative

• Cardboard-Confined Rammed Earth developed by RMIT scientists
• Cement-free construction using soil, water and recycled cardboard

Scientists at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology have developed a new building material that can replace cement in construction. The innovation uses soil, water and recycled cardboard. The researchers named it Cardboard-Confined Rammed Earth, or CCRE. The development matters because cement production contributes about 8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, alternatives that avoid cement can help reduce emissions.

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The method draws from ancient building practices. Thousands of years ago, people mixed clay, sand, small stones and water. They pressed the mixture into molds and used it to build walls and structures. However, CCRE updates this idea using modern materials. Instead of cement stabilizers, the process uses recycled cardboard tubes. These tubes once carried goods or stored paper rolls.

The cardboard tubes serve two roles. First, they act as molds that shape the structure. Second, they work like steel bars to add strength. Workers tightly fill a clay and water mixture into the cardboard molds. They then allow it to dry. The finished units form vertical columns that can bear weight. Importantly, the process does not require cement at any stage.

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No curing, kilns or high temperatures are needed. Tests have shown that cardboard-reinforced clay is stronger than cement-reinforced clay. Meanwhile, post-construction waste remains minimal. The materials can be separated after use. They also have the potential to return to the environment through recycling.

CCRE also offers thermal benefits. The material absorbs heat during the day and releases it slowly at night. As a result, internal temperatures stay more stable. This can reduce the need for air conditioning. In areas facing climate stress and fuel shortages, the material can lower emissions and electricity bills. Therefore, CCRE presents a practical and climate-friendly option for future buildings and bridges.

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