Abstract: This paper was written with the awareness that no literature was available on the mechanical investigation
of earthen buildings through minor destructive testing. The different aspects of the research were
analysed through specific methods: a rammed earth test wall was built and minor destructive techniques
such as flat jack, hole-drilling, and mini-pressuremeter were employed for evaluating its mechanical
characteristics. Simple compressive testing was performed on cylindrical samples. The main purpose
of the paper is to be used as a reference for future research, but also to be employed in practical terms
in conservation work.
