A taipa de pilão no Brasil: estado do conhecimento e a percepção sobre o método

Abstract

Earth constructions have been used for millennia in various regions of the world, including Brazil. These construction techniques are based on the use of natural materials such as raw earth, clay and vegetable fibers, providing sustainable, durable buildings with low environmental impact. In Brazil, Earth constructions have a long history, dating back to indigenous people and being influenced by Portuguese and African culture. Rammed earth, in particular, is a traditional Brazilian technique that consists on the compaction of layers of earth in wooden molds, resulting in solid and resistant walls. Througout the world, the use of earth as a building material is also widespread. In different countries, such as France, Morocco, India and Peru, there are notable examples of raw Earth buildings, such as houses, fortresses, mosques and temples. The technique of rammed earth have several advantages. In addition to being sustainable, using locally available natural resources, these buildings have excellent thermal performance, offering comfort in different climates. Furthermore, this method provides a healthy environment with good air quality and balanced humidity. However, since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the attention given to this material has been renewed, because it is an ecological method, with low energy consumption and carbon emission for execution. Despite the growing interest on the method, research on the population’s perception of rammed earth is still scarce. This study aims to identify the perception of the Brazilian population about rammed earth. The method used in the research was the application of an online questionnaire, with exploratory qualitative and quantitative purposes. Four hypotheses were adopted for the elaboration of the questionnaire. The results showed that participants living in rural areas have greater knowledge about the method when compared to residents of urban areas. The same was concluded for participants aged between 36 and 55 years and construction professionals. Finally, it was found that more than 80% of the participants showed interest in the constructive methodology, being open to using it. Thus, three of the four hypotheses adopted were accepted.