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The role of gypsum as a construction material in vernacular architecture, not only as an auxiliary material, but also for enhancing structural features in floors and even in pillars, has had a long-standing history of application in different traditional buildings in some parts of Spain. The authors have identified the main properties of this material from a structural point of view by experimenting in situ on traditional gypsum jack arch floors as part of the project “Structural consolidation of traditional floors with compression layers of gypsum with fibres” (UPV/PAID-05-11/2893). Several traditional and commercial compression layers for traditional floors were made with different proportions of water in the mixture to parameterise its use and achieve the ideal thickness and dosage. In this research, the authors have used both traditional dosages and experimental mixtures containing fibres, which were monitored by standard tests of surface hardness and resistance to compression and flexion. This work presents the main results of the properties of the different types gypsum obtained in the laboratory analysis phase as an alternative option for the structural reinforcement of traditional floors.

The study conducted on historic buildings with highlighted presence of brick-supplemented rammed earth walls (locally known as tapia valenciana) has allowed the discovery of some details of the techniques and it has shed light on their reason for being implemented. Some features of the walls have remained unchanged throughout the passage of time, but others have undergone variations over the centuries. All the results of the study (“Characterization of Brick-Supplemented Rammed Earth Walls: Documentation, Study and Improved Efficiency” UPV/PAID-06-12/SP20120466) are presented in a web resource, Tapiabrick, a structured database that explains resources, results and construction steps to have a complete understanding of brick-supplemented rammed earth walls. Maps, tips, links, texts and photos help students and professionals to better understand the technique and to make possible to use this construction option as a contemporary construction resource.