TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE

EARTH SHELTER

SHRUTI DEOGIRI
INTRODUCTION :

An underground shelter, also called an earthen house, an enclosed house, earth bermed house, is a building
(usually a house) with earth (soil) on walls, roofs, or completely buried underground.
The earth acts as a heat sink, making it easier to maintain a stable indoor air temperature and thus reduce the
cost of heating or cooling.

 Earth-sheltering refers to using earth as part of a

building’s thermal control system Earth-sheltered
buildings can be either built into the earth or an
existing hillside, or can be built above grade, and
earth bermed around the exterior after construction.

 In addition, earth-sheltered buildings also offer

superior protection from storms, insulation from
outside noise, lower maintenance costs, and less
impact on the surrounding landscape.
 Earth-sheltered buildings can be built entirely
underground, but are more often only partially earth-
sheltered to allow adequate natural light into the
interior.

 These buildings are most widely recognized for their

energy efficiency, due to the insulating capacity of the
earth and lower air infiltration through the earth-
sheltered surfaces.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

 HISTORY OF EARTH SHELTERING :

Throughout history, earth sheltering has been a common building practice across many regions, particularly in the
far reaches of the northern hemisphere. Timber framed structures and stone work were often stacked with thick
layers of peat against both the walls and roof, insulating and protecting it agains the elements. Over time, these
layers of earth grew together and encapsulated the design, blending in with the natural environment.

One unusual feature of many passive solar homes is that

they are partially buried. Given the natural human dislike of
living underground, this often strikes people as a "caveman"
approach to efficient living but, in reality, it is an efficient
means of conserving potentially enormous amounts of
energy. And no, living in a home that uses earth berming or
earth sheltering is not like living in a cave

•Earth berming is the practice of building a wall of earth

around the outside of the home. The berm is about three or
four feet tall and covers all but the south side. It is
particularly useful for protecting homes built on flat terrain.

•Earth sheltering is a more extreme version of earth

berming, where the north side (and perhaps the east and
west sides) of the house is buried more extensively, often
right up to the roof.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

 HOW EARTH-SHELTERING WORKS

A common misconception is that earth is a great insulator.

In fact, earth is a poor insulator, even more so if it’s wet.
However, earth is a good capacitor that can absorb and
store heat; it’s excellent thermal mass. It stores what we call
warmth, but it can also store “coolth,” which is, after all,
simply heat at a lower temperature.

Two independent thermal masses interact in an earth-

sheltered home. The first is the mass of the earth itself, over
which we have very little control. The second is the mass of
the building, over which we have great control through the
placement of insulation.

Modern underground architecture is particularly developed in the field of housing. One of the main purpose of
using this typological form of housing, is the ability to save energy by using the earth as an insulator, as well as
other passive systems, such as solar, geothermal or wind energy for generating all the clean energy needed for the
functioning of the houses.
In theory and practice there are two main types of this specific architecture. The first type is underground earth-
sheltered home, built below the level of terrain or completely underground. These types of underground structure
provide enough functional needs for living space through the atrium as a central outdoor courtyard. The second
type is bermed earth-sheltered homes, which could be built above the terrain, or partially buried in the grade, with
earth covering one or more walls. In most cases, these structures have only one facade, with the earth that covers
the other sides .

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

 RAW MATERIALS :

The choice of construction materials should consider the type of structure, depth
below grade and soil type. Deeply buried buildings require stronger, more durable
construction materials.

•Concrete masonry units should be 8-in. (203-mm) or larger, depending on

structural requirements. Use of unit shapes such as “A” or “H” facilitates unit
placement around vertical reinforcing bars.
•Type S mortar is generally recommended.
•Joint reinforcement or horizontal reinforcing bars may be required to reduce
potential shrinkage cracking and meet certain code requirements.
•Grout, if used, must have a minimum compressive strength of 2,000 psi (13.8
MPa).
•The concrete slab is typically a minimum of 2,500 psi (17.2 MPa) and 4 in.
(102 mm) thick to allow the slab to span over weak soil areas without
excessive cracking. Follow industry recommendations for sub-slab aggregate
base and vapor barrier.
•Backfill should preferably be free-draining material and should only be placed
after the wall has gained sufficient strength and has been properly braced or
A BITUMINOUS WATERPROOF supported.
MEMBRANE GOES OVER THE DECKING.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR EARTH-SHELTERED HOMES :

The construction materials for each earth-sheltered

structure will vary depending on characteristics of the
site and the type of design. Materials must, however,
provide a good surface for waterproofing and insulation
to withstand the pressure and moisture of the
surrounding ground.

Concrete is the most common choice for constructing

earth-sheltered buildings, because it strong, durable,
and fire resistant. Concrete masonry units (also called
concrete blocks) reinforced with steel bars placed in the
core of the masonry can also be used, and generally cost
less than cast-in-place concrete.

Wood can be used in earth-sheltered construction for

both interior and light structural work. Steel can used
for beams, bar joists, columns, and concrete
reinforcement, but must be protected against corrosion
if it is exposed to the elements or to groundwater. It is
also expensive, so it must be used efficiently to be
economical as a structural material.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

SITE-SPECIFIC FACTORS FOR EARTH-SHELTERED HOME DESIGN:

Before deciding to design and build an earth-sheltered house, you’ll need to consider your building site's climate, topography,
soil, and groundwater level.
CLIMATE
Studies show that earth-sheltered houses are more cost-effective in climates that have significant temperature extremes and low
humidity, such as the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains. Earth temperatures vary much less than air temperatures in
these areas, which means the earth can absorb extra heat from the house in hot weather or insulate the house to maintain
warmth in cold weather.
TOPOGRAPHY AND MICROCLIMATE
The site's topography and microclimate determine how easily the building can be
surrounded with earth. A modest slope requires more excavation than a steep one, and a
flat site is the most demanding, needing extensive excavation. A south-facing slope in a
region with moderate to long winters is ideal for an earth-sheltered building
SOIL
The type of soil at your site is another critical consideration. Granular soils such as sand
and gravel are best for earth sheltering. These soils compact well for bearing the weight
of the construction materials and are very permeable, allowing water to drain quickly.
The poorest soils are cohesive, like clay, which may expand when wet and has poor
permeability.
GROUNDWATER LEVEL
The groundwater level at your building site is also important. Natural drainage away from
the building is the best way to avoid water pressure against underground walls, but
installed drainage systems can be used to draw water away from the structure.
SLOPE VARIATION
In addition to the effect on water runoff, the site’s slope can significantly impact construction and design. Steeply sloping sites
require much less excavation than flat or slightly sloping sites. South-facing slopes work well in climates with a longer heating
season, because the building can be easily designed with south-facing windows for direct solar gain .In climates with milder
winters and hot summers, a north-facing slope may be preferable.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

 OTHER CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS :
INSULATION
WATERPROOFING Although insulation in an underground building does not
Waterproofing can be a challenge in earth-sheltered need to be as thick as that in a conventional house, it is
construction. Keep in mind these three ways to reduce the necessary to make an earthen house comfortable.
risk of water damage in your house: choose the site Insulation is usually placed on the exterior of the house
carefully, plan the drainage both at and below the surface of after applying the waterproofing material, so the heat
the house, and waterproof your house. generated, collected, and absorbed within the earth-
sheltered envelope is retained inside the building's
interior. If insulating outside the wall, a protective layer
of board should be added to keep the insulation from
contacting the earth.

AIR EXCHANGE/AIR QUALITY

HUMIDITY Adequate ventilation must be carefully planned in an
Humidity levels may increase in earth-sheltered houses during earth-sheltered house. Combustion appliances should be
the summer, which can cause condensation on the interior sealed combustion units that have a direct source of
walls. Installing insulation on the outside of the walls will outside air for combustion and vent combustion gases
prevent the walls from cooling down to earth temperature, but directly to the outside. In addition, avoiding indoor
can also reduce the summer cooling effect of the walls. Careful pollutants such as formaldehyde from foam insulation,
planning by a designer familiar with earth-sheltered home plywood, and some fabrics can help keep indoor air
design can keep humidity from becoming a problem. healthy. An energy recovery ventilator, which exchanges
heat in the outgoing exhaust air with incoming fresh air,
minimizes heat loss while ensuring good indoor air
quality and is a useful addition to any energy-efficient
home.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

Types of Earth Sheltered Homes

EARTH COVERED HOMES Building features of an earth covered home:

•Walls are not covered by earth
•Living roofs found are commonly found in urban settings
Earth covered homes only cover the roof with earth. These roofs are
typically called “living roofs,” “green roofs” or “earth roofs.” Living roofs
can be as simple as dirt or soil while more intricate roofs feature lush
foliage and vegetation. Most other types of earth sheltered homes also
feature a living roof.

IN-HILL Building features of an in-hill earth sheltered home:

•Up to three walls covered
•One wall is exposed to allow for a door and windows
•Built above ground
In-hill homes are built into slopes or hills with one wall facing out while the
earth covers the other walls and the roof. These homes are typically built
above ground. The exposed wall features windows to absorb passive heat
from the sun. To effectively accomplish this, most in-hill homes are located
in areas where the exposed wall can face south to absorb as much sunlight
as possible.
Rooms that need natural sunlight like bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms
are constructed closer to the exposed wall. Rooms that do not need daylight
like storage rooms and bathrooms are commonly constructed farther away
from the exposed wall.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

INTRODUCTION :

BERMED
Features of a bermed earth sheltered home:
•Can be built above ground or partially below ground
•Earth covers walls and sometimes the roof
Bermed homes typically have earth pushed up against the exterior
walls and may have earth covering the roof. The earth surrounding
the home helps insulate the interior temperature by absorbing and
storing heat. The soil also helps manage storm drainage since the
earth against the walls slopes away from the home. If additional
drainage is needed, residents can add pipes and drains.

UNDERGROUND Features of an underground earth sheltered home:

•Can be built right below surface level or deeper underground
•Typically built on a flat site
•Have a central courtyard or atrium
Underground earth sheltered homes are built below ground level
and typically feature a central, open atrium or courtyard to allow
residents access to light and air. These homes have rooms that need
heat like bedrooms and living rooms close to the center to get the
most heat. This central opening also gives residents a private
outdoor space and protection from strong winds. Since underground
homes are secluded, they’re also best suited for people who want to
get away from noisy areas or want more privacy in a densely
populated location.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

 BENEFITS OF EARTH SHELTERED HOMES

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Earth sheltered homes have a lower environmental impact because they are created in natural surroundings. This helps the
natural ecosystem thrive since it’s not interrupted by the presence and construction of a traditional building. Take a look below
to see just how the environment benefits from a sheltered home.

•Biodiversity: A study from Eastern Meditterranean

University explains that a couple advantages to earth sheltered
homes include a small environmental footprint and preservation
of the natural landscape. These homes coexist with the
surrounding natural habitat better than traditionally built homes
since the earth is incorporated in its construction. The natural
incorporation helps sustain existing flora and fauna in the area.

•Drainage: The National Park Service (NPS) explains that green

roofs in particular absorb and filter rainwater and return it to the
atmosphere via evaporation. This absorption helps slow the flow
of rainwater to sewer systems and prevents flooding. Green roofs
captured up to 80 percent of rainfall compared to 24 percent
captured by typical roofs.
SAFETY
Earth homes are great at protecting the home structures and can withstand extreme weather conditions better than normal
homes. Certain styles of homes also offer more seclusion.

•Durability: The vegetation and soil on living roofs can withstand the elements much better than normal roofs. It protects things
like the waterproofing membrane that keeps outside forces from penetrating the home.Having a living roof that can better
withstand UV rays and temperature fluctuations can double or triple a roof’s lifespan according to the British Columbia Institute
of Technology. This level of protection also applies to the earth surrounding the rest of the home.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

 BENEFITS OF EARTH SHELTERED HOMES

•Privacy: Depending on the style of home, earth sheltered houses can offer more privacy compared to traditional homes.
Underground homes offer the most privacy since it’s difficult for passersby to peer inside.

COST
Initial construction expenses for an earth sheltered home can be costly,
sometimes costing about 20 percent more than the cost of building a traditional
house. However, living in an earth sheltered home can save money over
time. Take a look at the different ways earth home dwellers save money over
time.

•Insulation: The earth surrounding these homes absorbs and slowly releases heat
instead of attracting and trapping heat like a typical roof. Additionally, the earth
reduces outside air infiltration and results in a more maintained indoor climate.
Stable indoor temperatures reduce the need to use central heating or cooling,
therefore reducing overall energy usage and costs over time.

•Low maintenance: After construction is complete, earth sheltered homes are relatively low maintenance and don’t require much
upkeep if correctly constructed.

•Noise control: Earth homes provide natural soundproofing. This saves on the cost of soundproofing rooms and is especially
helpful for homes built near noisy areas.

•Cheaper Insurance: Many insurance companies offer incentives and discounts for having “green” features in your
home. Insurance may also cost less since these types of homes can better withstand the elements compared to traditional homes.
Your exact cost savings depends on the state the home is located, building codes in your area and the insurance policy.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES:

EARTH-SHELTERED HOME ADVANTAGES

There are tons of advantages for having an earth-sheltered home. They have great structural strength, rendering them
mostly safe from hurricanes and damaging hail; you can park on the roof, saving parking space; and you could receive energy
tax savings and incentives.
WEATHER AND SAFETY
In addition, these homes are often safer because of the way they are constructed. There is nothing above ground to be
damaged in storms such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and hail storms. They are also safe during earthquakes. This is of
particular importance for people living on the San Andreas fault because the further into the ground a structure is, the less
amplitude the vibrations have. The home cannot shake on its structure as it would on a single foundation.

EARTH-SHELTERED HOME DISADVANTAGES

INITIAL COST
The initial cost of construction can be 20 percent higher than a house built from traditional materials. Also, a lot
of careful planning goes into building one of these homes to make sure it's properly waterproofed.
SELLING THE HOME
Although some homeowners would jump at buying an earth-sheltered home, these types of buyers can be hard
to find. One of these homes can be a tough sell, and it can take a while to find the right person. However, by
choosing a style of earth home that suits the area, you will have a greater chance of finding the right buyer.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

EFFECTS OF SEASONAL THERMAL STORAGE SYSTEMS ON ENERGY CONSERVATION IN EARTH
SHELTERED HOUSES
EARTH-SHELTERED HOMES: EFFECTS OF VEGETATION

Trees and shrubs on a building site have uses too numerous to mention, ranging
from symbolic and aesthetic uses to erosion and noise control. However, in the
context of an earth-sheltered building, the existence of trees and shrubs on a
site as well as the planting of new vegetation can be considered as another
potential energy saving feature. Although exact amounts of energy savings are
difficult to predict, there are uses of vegetation that are known to have a
significant impact on energy performance.

One effective use of trees in an earth-sheltered design is to shade windows on

the south side of the house in the summer when the direct solar radiation is
undesirable. If deciduous trees are used on the south side, they drop their
leaves and allow the solar radiation to reach the windows in the winter when it
is most needed. A second important uses of vegetation to reduce energy
consumption is wind control. In an earth-sheltered design the earth berms may
provide all of the necessary wind protection on the north and west sides.

Low temperature systems:

This system utilizes the earth (soil) adjoining the building as a low-temperature
seasonal heat store, thereby reaching temperatures similar to average annual air
temperature while drawing upon the already stored heat for space heating. These
systems can also be seen as an extension to the building design itself as the design
involves some simple but significant differences when compared to conventional
above ground buildings.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

 Warm temperature inter-seasonal heat system:
This also uses soil to store heat, but utilizes active solar collection mechanisms in summer to heat up thermal banks (earth
mass) in advance of the heating season. Warm temperature heat stores are generated from low-temperature stores in that
solar collectors are used to capture surplus heat in summer and actively raise the temperature of large mass of soil so that
heat extraction is made cheaper in winter.

INSULATION PLACEMENT
Not all experts agree on the amount of insulation required nor the optimum placement
around the structure, but two points are generally well agreed on:
(1) It is generally not cost-effective to insulate below the floor slab in an earth-sheltered
building. Edge insulation is a good investment on walls that are not bermed.
(2) Insulation should be placed on the exterior side of the walls. Exterior insulation
protects the waterproofing from abrasion damage and allows the thermal mass of the
below-grade concrete masonry walls to contribute to the energy savings and indoor
temperature moderation.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

 ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Earth-sheltered buildings save energy in several ways when compared to conventional structures. First, earth-
sheltered buildings have a lower infiltration, or air leakage, rate. In homes, up to 20% of the total heating
requirement can be due to infiltration. Almost half of that figure results from air leakage through walls other than
windows or door openings. The earth covering effectively eliminates these losses.
Earth-sheltered construction also saves energy by reducing conduction heat losses through the walls and roof.
The temperature difference between the building and the adjacent ground is typically much less than between
an above grade structure and the outside air. In other words, the earth moderates the outdoor temperature
swings, so that the earth-sheltered building is not subjected to as harsh an environment. In hot climates, the
earth acts an a heat sink, helping keep the interior cooler.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

 CASE STUDY—DOBRACA HOUSE IN KRAGUJEVAC, SERBIA

Design Process
The bermed underground earth-sheltered house was designed and inspired by the early Neolithic house from the
archeological site Lepenski Vir in Serbia. The measurement of the house from Lepenski Vir was the same one that we used
for design of the earth sheltered house, in the case of the Dobraca House in Serbia.
The terrain was suitable for implementing this kind of structure.
The house was finished in 2008 and the monitoring of average
temperature and wind was taken quarterly during the 2012 and
2016.
Monitoring Some Parameters The daily temperature inside and
outside the bermed-earth sheltered house in Dobraca was
analyzed with special emphasis on the insulation layers and wind
speed during 2012 and 2016. According to the presented
measurement (Tables 1 and 2), the temperature inside this
bermed-earth sheltered house was in the range from a minimum
of 15.8 ◦C to maximum 20.6 ◦C (even on the coldest winter day in
2012), which is close to the ideal human needs temperature Since
the energy consumption of this small house in Dobraca with about
50 m2 floor space is below 2000 kWh, the wind turbine could
provide all the necessary electric energy for this house in future.
Currently, the Dobraca house uses electrical energy from
Kragujevac low-voltage energy network as a part of the Serbian
high-voltage electricity transmission system.

The water from the well could also be used as separate open loop VSWC systems with water for heating and cooling
the house, or as an integrated hybrid system connected with solar PV panels. In future, there is an option for
installing the waterproof membrane on the roof for rain harvesting with the possibility to reuse that water for all non-
drinking requirements in the house.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

 OTHER CASE STUDY :

1) Cooper Pedy, Australia

In Coober Pedy, Australia, daytime highs often climb into the 100s and many
have taken up residence in abandoned opal mines to beat the heat. Some of
the homes can be rented for overnight stays.

2) Outer Hebrides Islands, UK

This earth-sheltered house, which’s almost more of an underground

house, is located in the wilds of the Outer Hebrides. It provides a
perfect living environment for harsh weather. This home’s support
walls are constructed of PolarWall (polystyrene).

4) Earthship Farmstead, Virginia Mountains

Kaplan Thompson Architects did an amazing job with the

structure of this building. They used their experience with
building “net-zero” homes to create this eco-friendly home.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

CONCLUSION :

Techniques for maximizing the thermal loads necessary for comfort conditions in passively heated or
passively cooled earth shelters,Soil suitability, depth of placement and design techniques that optimizes
structural integrity in earth sheltered house construction. Through this review, thermal integrity factors
(TIF) of existing earth sheltered homes were identified, which when compared with other housing types,
perform significantly better than conventional above-ground dwellings. It also looked at both summer
and winter impacts of earth shelter house types utilizing the passive approach under the different
climate conditions. It further presents the criteria for identifying the appropriate soil type (sub-grade
materials) needed in building earth sheltered houses with passive thermal approach. These are
categorized under thermal inertia properties, bearing capacity and drainage properties. Based on the
available information to date, it can be said that earth sheltered houses maintain heating energy
consumption that is lesser by up to 75%.

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI

REFEREANCE :

https://www.completeblueprints.com/earth-sheltered-homes/

https://buildabroad.org/2016/10/29/earth-sheltering/

Basement Manual: Design and Construction Using Concrete Masonry, TR 68B. National
Concrete Masonry Association, 2001.

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/efficient-earth-sheltered-homes

https://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/earth-sheltered-homes-zmaz06onzraw

https://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/E/AE_earth-

EARTH SHELTER SHRUTI DEOGIRI