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An LSU professor is taking characteristics from mud dauber nests and the root systems of fungi to design 3D-printed soil for sustainable, durable and cost-effective earthen buildings.
Hai “Thomas” Lin, a civil and environmental engineering professor, says that mud daubers are expert soil nest builders who carefully manage the moisture content of the soil and tap it with their legs and jaws to compact it and make it stronger.
“These techniques can inspire modern earthen building construction using 3D soil printing,” Lin says. “By applying similar principles—controlling soil and moisture content, compacting the soil with vibrations, utilizing natural drying processes, and designing cellular structures—we can significantly enhance the strength, stability, and efficiency of earthen buildings.”
More than three billion people around the world live in earthen buildings, according to LSU. The buildings are most popular in Europe, Western Australia, Canada and California.
Funded by a nearly $630,000 National Science Foundation CAREER Award, Lin and his team are working to design a modern, eco-friendly home that’s designed with sustainability, comfort. and durability in mind.
Learn more about the project from LSU.
