Soil material characterization in the plain of Haouz (Morocco),to build earthen [Caractérisation des matériaux du sol dans la plaine du Haouz (Maroc),pour la construction en terre crue]

Earth is a material widely available in our immediate environment. it's the basic raw material used in the vernacular housing in morocco,the pre-saharan regions,and in the majority of historic centers. the plain soil's of the haouz of marrakesh is renowned for its abundance in materials suitable to construction of earth habitats. the use of earth material in construction in morocco has become topical,as,the strong demand for low-cost housing. the fundamental reason of this demand is probably the very high cost of conventional building materials. for the moroccan government,the construction of earth habitat is an economical alternative which respects the environment. the recent approval of the seismic resolution for the earth construction (rpct2011) by the moroccan government is an action for the recovery of this natural resource and maintenance of traditional knowledge attached to earth architecture. this is a historic step forward for the promotion of sustainable habitat. the valuation of this natural resource is dependent on the identification of suitable borrow sites,the study of its physical and chemical properties and its mechanical characteristics and appropriate construction techniques. it is in this perspective that our laboratory is active in the operational research on sites around the city of marrakesh,potentially rich earthen resources,tailored to the promotion of the construction.