Stabilized Rammed-Earth Wall Design

[StrucDesignPE]

Doing some research for a unique project where the owner wants to use a rammed earth wall. I am in the eastern US where wind is the main concern for lateral loads. Code to be used is IBC 2015. Based on my research, I believe that a stabilized (with cement or other pozzolans) rammed-earth wall is the best approach.

I have been doing some research and found some US resources from New Mexico and some international resources from New Zealand and British Columbia. Given my location, this is not a common type of construction and I need to fully understand the design process before I feel comfortable about doing the design. I am specifically concerned about designing for in-plane and out-of-plane lateral loads and anchorage to the structure. Does anyone have some experience they would be willing to share or some documents that give insight to design methods/problems encountered?

The resources I have accessed are from the North American Rammed-Earth Builders Assoc., New Mexico code sections, and an interesting article by Windstorm and Schmidt.

Thanks

 

[BridgeSmith]

For an architectural design class project many years ago, we proposed a post-tensioned rammed earth wall system that looked like it would work fairly well. Haven't really looked at it much since, though - not something we've considered for bridges or retaining walls.