Rubble masonry orrubble stone is rough, uneven building stone not laid in regularcourses.[1][2] It may form an outer surface of a wall, or fill the core of a wall which is faced with unitmasonry such asbrick orashlar. Some medieval cathedral walls have outer shells of ashlar with an inner backfill of mortarless rubble and dirt.
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Square rubble masonry consists ofashlar stones[citation needed] set inmortar, that make up the outer surface of a wall.[dubious –discuss]
TheSadd el-Khafara dam (2900–2600 BC) in Wadi Al-Garawi nearHelwan in Egypt, is 14 meters high, filled with rubble masonry, and clad in unmortared stepped ashlar stones.[3]
The Greeks called the technique of constructing two parallel walls filled with a core of rubble or other infillemplekton,[4][5] notably used erecting defensive walls of theirpoleis.
The Romans made extensive use of rubble masonry, calling itopus caementicium, after the name (caementicium) given to the filling between tworevetments. The technique continued to be used over the centuries, particularly for defensive walls and large works duringmedieval times.
In contrast, modern construction frequently uses cast concrete with an internal steel reinforcement, which allows for greater elasticity and provides excellent static and seismic resistance.[6]
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