Development of a Seismic-Resilient Adobe Housing Framework

Abstract

Traditional adobe buildings are highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to weak masonry, inadequate structural connections, and poor construction practices. This study aims to develop a seismic-resilient adobe housing framework and practical improvements to conventional construction techniques. The proposed study focuses on developing a mud-brick infill system reinforced with wooden mesh for earthquake forces and environmental condition. The improved masonry system will incorporate locally available wooden mesh and enhanced structural detailing to strengthen walls and improve structural integrity. The proposed framework emphasizes reinforcement continuity, effective wall connections, and crack control to support better lateral load transfer. The developed approach provides greater resistance to earthquake-induced forces while maintaining the affordability, simplicity, and environmental benefits of traditional adobe construction. The study contributes to the development of practical and sustainable earthquake-resilient housing solutions suitable for local construction.

Introduction

Adobe construction is a traditional, affordable, and environmentally sustainable building technique that uses locally available soil and water to produce sun-dried mud bricks. It is particularly suitable for low-cost housing in rural and developing regions, including Pakistan, because it requires minimal equipment, energy, and transportation. However, conventional adobe buildings are vulnerable to earthquakes due to their low tensile and shear strength, inadequate structural connections, and poor construction practices. Common earthquake-related failures include diagonal cracking, separation at wall intersections, and out-of-plane wall collapse.

To address these limitations, this study proposes a seismic-resilient adobe housing framework incorporating locally available wooden mesh reinforcement and improved structural detailing. The research approach involves assessing traditional adobe construction, developing an improved masonry system, evaluating environmental suitability, reviewing published experimental studies, and examining relevant national and international construction standards.

The comparative experimental findings demonstrate the potential of reinforcement materials to improve adobe masonry performance. Bamboo-strip reinforcement increased compressive strength by 30%, shear strength by 96%, and energy absorption by 195%. Dried jute-thread reinforcement improved these properties by 40%, 102%, and 314%, respectively. Another study reported that modified mud walls incorporating timber elements and reinforcement ties achieved a 24.1% increase in maximum lateral load compared with unmodified walls.

The proposed framework focuses on improving wall integrity, reinforcement continuity, and connections between structural components while maintaining affordability, ease of construction, and environmental sustainability. Its development considers the Building Code of Pakistan 2021, ASTM E2392/E2392M-24, NZS 4297:2024, and Peru’s E.080 standard.

Conclusion

This study presents a seismic-resilient adobe housing framework incorporating improved mud-brick masonry, locally available wooden mesh reinforcement, and enhanced structural detailing. The proposed system aims to improve wall integrity, crack control, and resistance to lateral loading through effective reinforcement arrangements and structural connections. The integration of wooden mesh with conventional adobe masonry offers a practical approach to improving structural stability while maintaining the affordability, simplicity, and environmental benefits of traditional construction. The developed framework provides a basis for sustainable and earthquake-resilient housing suitable for local construction practices. Further experimental investigations are recommended to evaluate the structural performance and long-term durability of the proposed system under earthquake loading and environmental conditions.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Zara Asghar, Khizra Kulsoom, Sidra Asghar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.