Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology

p-ISSN: 2349-8404; e-ISSN: 2349-879X; Volume 3, Issue 4; January-March, 2016, pp. 322-327
© Krishi Sanskriti Publications
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Vernacular Mud Construction Techniques of

Vidarbha Region -A Sustainable Approach
Seema M Burele1 and Sheeba Valsson2
1,2
SMMCA Nagpur, Maharashtra
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
1

Abstract—“Vernacular” - the simplest form of addressing human (Fig.1).All these three perspectives are very well achieved
needs, is seemingly forgotten in modern architecture. Vernacular vernacular architecture of Vidarbha region.
architecture is composed of local materials and derived from local
customs, techniques that have been passed on from generation to
generation. Mud construction techniques has been extensively used in
almost all the regions of Vidarbha, but this vernacular architecture is
disappearing slowly, because of new materials, techniques and
wrong notion of people for modernity. Various schemes floated by
government for housing is also one of the reasons for deteriorating
the mud architecture. Hence this paper will showcase the vernacular
architecture of various Agro Climatic Zones of Vidarbha region. It
will further present the one case study from three zones-High Rainfall
Zone, Moderate Rainfall Zone and Assured Rainfall Zone on the
basis of the climate, agricultural waste product used in construction
and most importantly the type of soil available for earthen
construction. The paper will throw light on vernacular construction
techniques adopted in that zone and its present scenario. This paper
will finally discuss the recommendations which could be a step
forward for conserving sustainable Vernacular Mud Architecture of Fig. 1 Three perspectives of sustainable design
Vidarbha Region.
2. VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF VIDARBHA
1. INTRODUCTION
Vidharbha is the central part of India.Vidharbha region lies
Vernacular architecture is a category of architecture based on between Latitude: 21°12.575’ North Longitude: 79°14.203’
local needs, construction materials and reflecting local East in the eastern part of Maharashtra state (Fig.2). It consists
traditions. Vernacular architecture is influenced by a great of 11 districts. (Fig.3) According to the rainfall condition,
range of different aspects of human behavior and environment, Vidharbha region is sub divided into four zones (Fig.3),
leading to differing building forms for almost every different
context. Vernacular architecture has been evolved through a a) High rainfall zone - 1250mm to 1750mm
process of trial and error for ages and also proved to be b) Moderately high rainfall zone - 1076mm to 1460mm
sustainable as it is still standing for the period of hundreds
years on the same ground. Despite the variations in climate, c) Moderate rainfall zone - 900mm to 1200mm
material, construction techniques, every building is subject to d) Assured rainfall zone - 650mm to 700mm
the same laws of physics, and hence demonstrated significant
similarities in structural forms. As far as construction
techniques are concern they fulfill all the parameters of
sustainability by using locally available resources proving it
economical, having low environmental impact and involve
local craft and skills which helps the communities to sustain.
According to Edwards (2005, p1), the definition of
sustainability is about creating spaces that is healthy,
economically viable, and sensitive to social needs, respecting
natural systems and learning from ecological processes, which
Fig. 2 Maharashtra state Fig. 3 Vidarbha Region
is reflected on the three perspectives on sustainable design
Vernacular Mud Construction Techniques of Vidarbha Region -A Sustainable Approach 323

Fig. 6
Fig. 4 Agroclimatic zones of Vidarbha

The rainfall condition in Vidharbha region is Gondia,

Bhandara and part of Chandrapur majorly Tadoba forest area
lies in high rainfall zone. Nagpur, Wardha, Yavatmal, Washim
and part of Chandrapur lies in moderate rainfall zone and
Amravati, Buldhana, Akola lies in Assured rainfall zone. The
construction techniques which are identified in the respective
region use locally available resources, agricultural waste and
traditional skills. The villages chosen for the studies (Table.1)
were identified on the basis of Agro Climatic Zone (Fig.4)
which deals with the rainfall, agricultural products obtained in
Vidarbha region and the type of naturally available soil at that
particular zone.(Fig.5)
Table 1.Villages selected from agroclimatic zones

Fig. 5 Soil Map of Maharashtra and Agriculture of Vidarbha

3. CASE STUDY-I (HIGH RAINFALL ZONE)

Fig. 7 Foundation Details
Nandora, Dist.Bhandara, Maharashtra (Fig.6)

Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology

p-ISSN: 2349-8404; e-ISSN: 2349-879X; Volume 3, Issue 4; January-March, 2016
324 Seema M Burele and Sheeba Valsson

3.1 Foundation-is in random rubble stone masonry below the 3.5 Roof- Pitch roof supported by timber truss and country
ground level and then construction of wall started from the tiles were used as roofing material.
ground level itself. Foundation is 0.75m up to 0.90 m in width.
3.6 Lintel and door window openings are made of timber.
3.2 Walling techniques - Cob Wall They are of a lower width and height. The frame is fixed
within the mud wall. Timber lintels swells when comes in
Composition- dung, rice husk and mud in the ratio of 1:1:4
contact with water results in damaging the structure.
.Layers of 0.30m. to 0.45m are constructed only after the
earlier layer has dried off.(Fig. 8) 4. CASE STUDY-II (MODERATE RAINFALL ZONE)
Rajani,Wardha District, Maharashtra (Fig.10 and Fig. 11)

Fig. 10

Fig. 8 Section through superstructure

3.3 Plastering- is done in single layer, a mixture of cow dung

and mud in the ratio 1:2 in a 2 cm. thick layer was put on the
mud wall which was finally finished with lime.
3.4 Mud Flooring- The area to be floored is first filled with
mud taken out of trenches is then pressed and finished with
final layer of cow dung and mud slurry. Timber floor were
finished with mud which creates mezzanine floor used for
storage.(Fig. 9)

Fig. 11 Details of mud house

Fig. 9

Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology

p-ISSN: 2349-8404; e-ISSN: 2349-879X; Volume 3, Issue 4; January-March, 2016
Vernacular Mud Construction Techniques of Vidarbha Region -A Sustainable Approach 325

4.1 Foundation Trench of about 1.2m is dug -filled up with 5. CASE STUDY-III (ASSURED RAINFALL ZONE)
stone and mud as a binder. Random rubble masonry of the
foundation is continued up to 0.60m to 0.90m above ground Sirasgaon Korde,Dist.Amaravati,Maharashtra (Fig.14)
level and then construction of mud wall started.(Fig.12)

Fig. 12 Foundation Details

Fig. 13
4.2 Walling techniques- -Adobe Wall in processed white soil.
Composition- dung, wheat straw and soil in the ratio of 1:1:4
.Layers of 0.30m. to 0.45m are constructed on the random
rubble stone masonry of plinth. The wall gets tapered from
below the ground to the upper level.
4.3 Plastering- Plastering is done in two layers; first one with
a mixture of cow dung and mud, and second layer is of smooth
cow dung for finishing.
4.4 Mud Flooring- The area to be floored is first filled with
rubble and mud mixture. Then the floor is pressed and finished
with final layer of cow dung and mud slurry. The locally
available stone tiles were also noticed.
4.5 Timber floors were constructed with the help of wooden
beams as a main member and then wooden battens were
placed perpendicular to the tie beam. This space is usually
utilized for storage called as ‘mayali’.
4.6 Roofing supported by timber truss and country tiles or
mangalore tiles are generally used as roofing material.
4.7 Lintel and door window openings are made of timber.
(Fig.13)

Fig. 15

Fig. 13 Roofing and wooden lintels

Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology

p-ISSN: 2349-8404; e-ISSN: 2349-879X; Volume 3, Issue 4; January-March, 2016
326 Seema M Burele and Sheeba Valsson

Foundation is in random rubble masonry in basalt stone.  The mud construction techniques had been extensively
Plinth is raised 1.20m to 1.50m above ground. As the village used from hundreds of years and the structure is still
is at the bank of river it is used to flood every year in earlier standing .The craft or skill of construction is being
time. Thus the rubble masonry prevent the mud to get flush off transferred from generation to generation hence it is
due to rain water.(Fig. 15) socially sustainable.
Walling techniques - Cob Wall construction technique.  The agricultural waste has been used as a binder for mud
Composition- cow dung, wheat straw, congress grass which is thus utilizes the locally available resources hence
consider as weed for the farm was dried and mixed with mud environment friendly
in water in the ratio of 1:1:2:3.The grass act as an
reinforcement for the load bearing wall.  The thickness of the mud wall, the binders used and its
properties maintains the temperature during summer as
Plastering- plastering is done with a mixture of cow dung and well as in winter hence it is climate responsive also.
mud along with dried grass. Finally wall is plastered with
white soil available nearby which gives the smooth finish.  Thus the Vernacular –Mud construction technique of
Vidarbha is sustainable.
Mud Flooring -The compacted floor was finished with layer
of mud and cow dung. 7. CONCLUSION
Roofing- Pitch roof supported by timber truss and country tile.
 Though there is variation in rainfall, agricultural crops
Tie beam and wooden rafters were used as main supporting
yielded, and the type of soil but the documented houses
members. (Fig.16)
demonstrate significant similarities in structural forms.
Lintel, door and window openings are made of timber. They
 The construction techniques developed were time tested
were of a small size embedded in mud wall.
and proven best for the particular climate. There are
certain constraints and limitations of mud but those can be
overcome.
 The vernacular architecture of Vidarbha is evolved out of
social needs, response to the climate, availability of
resources, and through the local craftsmanship, which are
all the important elements contributing to the
sustainability.
But in today’s scenario people don’t want to build in mud. It is
consider as the material of poor. Even the rural areas are
deteriorating their fabric by switching over to the newer
material which is more harmful to the environment. Here also
our role starts as an architect - the concept of sustainability
and eco friendly architecture can be introduced by designing
certain modules as per the requirements and can be introduce
Fig. 16 to them at rural as well as urban level. Lot many well known
architects are experimenting with mud in modern context.
Thus the study had given an overview of the vernacular. Another ways for the revival of vernacular mud construction
Construction techniques prevailing in Vidarbha region, which techniques should be focused on.
is suitable to climate, place and to the community. Change in
the crop pattern, type of soil available and the local skills are REFERENCES
the governing factors. But will the scenario remains the same?
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6. OUTCOMES [3] Roy S, and Chowdhury S -Earth as an Energy Efficient and
Sustainable Building Material International Journal of Chemical,
After doing the study of the selected village from each zone it Environmental & Biological Sciences (IJCEBS) Volume 1, Issue
is observed that 2 (2013)

Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology

p-ISSN: 2349-8404; e-ISSN: 2349-879X; Volume 3, Issue 4; January-March, 2016
Vernacular Mud Construction Techniques of Vidarbha Region -A Sustainable Approach 327

[4] Rapoport A(1969),House Formand Culture.Engelwood Cliff;

Prentice Hall
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Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology

p-ISSN: 2349-8404; e-ISSN: 2349-879X; Volume 3, Issue 4; January-March, 2016