Equipment provisioning and installation
Equipment provisioning and installation services are customized to each project. Factors that influence the planning are site access, project size, available manpower, schedule and budget. The REW business model is to train contractors in the skills particular to mastering the rammed earth method. The company goal is to incrementally expand the roster of knowledgeable contractors in order to build confidence within the marketplace, and thus promote the growth of the industry. Rammed earth is an ideal material for use as one component of a sustainable building system. Its widespread application is currently limited by a shortage of experienced practitioners.
In developing countries, where labor rates are low and purchased materials expensive, building rammed earth totally by hand is the most affordable and socially responsible approach. An entire project is completed with a single set of simple forms, shovels for mixing, buckets for delivery, and hand tampers for compaction. Two REW trainers and a crew of four to six local masons are sufficient. Production rates average 1-1/2 cubic feet per man per hour.
In regions with higher labor rates, the use of equipment for mixing, delivery, and compaction can significantly increase the speed of construction. Which pieces of equipment to mobilize and how many rammers to put into use are decisions influenced primarily by site access, construction schedule, and available manpower. A smaller project may be best suited for a skid steer tractor for mixing and delivery with two pneumatic rammers for compaction. A larger project could benefit from a proportioning mixing machine, articulated conveyors for delivery and five or more air-powered rammers. Production rates for mechanically assisted rammed earth installations with a full manpower compliment can approach 40 cubic yards of placed material per day.
A meaningful proposal for training and installation supervision can only be developed after a thorough review of the project, mix design formula, and a clear understanding of the expectations of all parties involved.