Suitability of excavated soils for earth construction: Methodology development for earth plaster

Abstract

The public works sector produces large quantities of excavated soil that are challenging to manage. This difficulty mainly stems from the limited availability of suitable temporary storage sites and the absence of clear guidelines for their potential reuse as construction materials. Consequently, this earth is rarely reused in construction. This paper proposes recommendations for the marketing of ready-to-use building earth developed in partnership with actors along the value chain (from excavation to commercialisation). The aim is to ensure broad applicability while requiring minimal changes to current professional practices. To comply with the circular economy approach and limit the environmental impacts, this method focuses on local reuse. According to the users, earth’s specifications are drawn up to define the objectives and the corresponding physical parameters. Based on standard geotechnical report data, an innovative method for assessing earth suitability has been developed. Then, performance tests are suggested to validate this suitability and characterise the material’s behaviour once implemented. Finally, experience feedback is provided to support the dissemination of the method. Although it is designed for various construction techniques, this paper presents the application of the method specifically for plastering.