Cob Re: 2x4 frame

[Patrick Newberry]

Hey everyone, 

    Got some ideas pulsating thru my mind and thought I throw them out to 
the list. 

I've decieded to go for finishing up the roof of the house as the number 
one priority. As a result I'm placing a 2 x 4 frame on a earth bag 
foundation wall.  I will lay a bond beam kind of layer on top of the earth 
wall that stands about a 1 1/2 feet of the ground. I'm not sure what the 
walls will be exactly but more than likely a cob with a bit more emphasis 
put on the straw as the wall will not be load bearing. The wall is about 
15 inches wide. Initially I was thinking of a somewhat normal 2x4 frame 
which would then be embeded in the  cob. I then debated put the frame in 
the inner or outer edge or the center. 

The center idea was listed as the "worst" option in the cobber's 
companion. I worried that the edge wasn't good as the roof is going to be 
fairly heavy. It's a cemment roof. (multiple layers of chicken wire and 
cement)

I finnally leaned toward the idea of placing a piece of 2x4 perpendicular 
to the wall (the 15 inches). then placing vertical supports on Both the 
outer and the inner edges of the first perpendicular piece of 2x4. This 
would help spread the load out over the whole earth bag and not just the 
edges.  The result would be a sort of box. 

I could then fill this box sitting on the earthbag wall with cob or light 
clay (clay coated straw)

Also if I can get the roof on, then I can cob during our wet season which 
is fall around here.

Pat.
http://www.gnat.net/~goshawk