Construction manual for earthquake-resistant houses built of earth

This manual proposes techniques for improving the earthquake-resistance of dwellings constructed from earth. The focus is on low-cost, single-storey houses in rural areas. The work is based on research projects carried out in Germany, both a review of earthquake damage in Latin America and examining literature on test and prototype structures from Germany and Latin America. Technical details covered include structure, shape, house placement on slopes, typical failures, typical design mistakes, infill, joints, roofs, and finishes. A principal advantage of earth is the availability of materials locally and the incorporation of vernacular techniques.