Our laboratory, which specialises in earth building materials, enables us to carry out all material testing according to voluntary standards as well as the requirements of current DIN standards for earth building materials. When developing new products, we advise manufacturing companies working with these materials. They value the experience we have gained through our many years of leading involvement in all regulatory and standardisation bodies for earth building. Our technical expertise in the fields of earth building and sustainable construction enables us to participate in national and international research projects. Together with international partners, we develop pioneering solutions for natural and reused building materials.
EARTH BUILDING MATERIALS AT THE ZRS LABORATORY (Development and Testing)
- Earth Blocks
- Rammed Earth
- Earth Mortar for Masonry
- Earth Mortar for Plaster
- Earth Boards
- Building Material Samples
- Conservation Material
SUITABILITY TESTING OF BUILDING CLAYS
Initial assessment based on empirical values, field tests, binding strength tests, lime content analysis, determination of particle size distribution, determination of linear drying shrinkage, compressive strength testing, salt content analysis where applicable
INITIAL AND QUALITY TESTING OF EARTH BUILDING MATERIALS
Flexural tensile and compressive strength testing, bond strength testing, abrasion testing, determination of linear drying shrinkage, determination of bulk density, immersion, contact and capillary absorption analysis, salt content analysis
MIX DESIGN DEVELOPMENT FOR EARTH BUILDING MATERIALS
Field tests, binding strength testing where applicable, determination of linear drying shrinkage, compressive strength testing
TECHNICAL BUILDING CONSERVATION
Condition survey, material and structural analysis of extracted sample material, development of a conservation strategy, mix design development for conservation materials, implementation of technical conservation measures
CONTRIBUTION TO REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
DIN 18940: 2023-06, 18945–18948: 2024-03
Lehmbau Regeln 2009, published by DVL e.V. (Dachverband Lehm – German Earth Building Association)
