Geotechnical characterisation for dating rammed earth architecture. The medieval wall of Seville (Spain)
Geotechnical characterisation for dating rammed earth architecture. The medieval wall of Seville (Spain)
ABSTRACT
Rammed earth has been utilized as a construction material in a multitude of heritage sites, as evidenced by the Macarena Wall in Seville, which serves as an exemplary specimen of this construction method. This fortification, constructed using rammed earth caissons, has undergone numerous interventions that could have been enhanced if certain concerns regarding the material composition of the structure had been addressed. In light of this challenge, a research initiative was undertaken in 2019 with the objective of achieving a more precise characterization of the materials comprising the wall. To this end, direct samples were extracted and subjected to both destructive and non-destructive tests, allowing for the determination of their physico-chemical, mineralogical, and granulometric properties. The aim of this work is hence to study the potential origins of the soil used. This approach entailed a meticulous comparison of the sample characteristics with geotechnical data from the surrounding area. This methodology, founded upon comparative criteria and technical analysis, serves as a valuable instrument for the design of future restoration interventions, thereby ensuring the compatibility of the materials utilized. The objective of the present study is twofold: first, to contribute to the enhancement of conservation efforts in the Macarena Wall, and second, to propose a methodology that can be replicated in the context of other heritage assets constructed with earth, thereby facilitating the identification of original materials and promoting a restoration process that is more coherent and respectful of the authenticity of the aforementioned assets.
Keywords: Seville Wall, Surveys, granulometric properties, heritage, geotechnical study, rammed earth.
Maria Aragon-Lopez; Ignacio Ruiz-Moreno; Cristina Soriano-Cuesta; Francisco Hidalgo-Sanchez; Rocio Romero-Hernandez; A. Jaramillo; Emilio Mascort-Albea
4th International Symposium on the Preservation of Monuments and Historic Sites
Materials, Monitoring and Geotechnical Investigation Methods
https://doi.org/10.53243/tc301-2026-95