Cob: New with questions

[Otherfish at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/7/99 2:04:22 PM, vanwey6 at bitterroot.net wrote:

<<One thing I was
wondering was about the cold, snowy winters here. Will that be a
deterrent against using cob?>>

Not so long as you insulate with straw bales outside your cob - sort of like 
a winter coat - no need to be fancy, just stack bales under your eave & 
against the walIs.

 <<it just simply straw, sand and clay, or
is there some sort of cement added?>>

No cement is needed.

 <<I can't imagine how the walls could
be load bearing with just the straw, sand, and clay.>>

Cob is quite strong - just keep your roof / upper floor / loft loads spread 
out at lots of individual rafter / joist bearing points.  If you must use a 
concentrated load on a beam then take it up with a wood column and NOT with 
the cob.

  <<Another thing is will cob lend itself well to building 2 story
structures?>>

Don't see why not - just remember to keep a low wall height to thickness 
ratio - no more than 7 to 1 will work if you use other stability measures 
(i.e.:  continuous reinforced foundation, top of wall bond beam, frequent 
vertical tension ties in the wall between the foundation & bond beam ).  
Traditional Adobies without stability measures historically had a lower 
ratio, more like 2 or 3 or 4 to 1.   Also remenmber that the more weight you 
put up high the more chance for instability you create - so make your upper 
walls self bracing - cob is heavy up high so be ready for lots of moving 
heavy mud up high. 

never the less, cob is great & you'll be happy with it's wiggley 
possibilities!!!!
Cob on

john fordice
otherfish