Cob: Re: Building methods

[Darel Henman]

Arlie,

It sounds like your describing using what is called "light clay" to fill
in wall forms.

This is good for internal non-bearing walls, or with the outer water
resistent plaster as an exterior wall, but only those that are
non-bearing.

To my knowledge it is NOT strong enough for a structural bearing wall.

Darel

Arlie Haig wrote:
> 
> The site specified below has some very interesting ideas. I wonder what the
> reaction from these lists is for the following process:
> "Making Walls
> Courtyard walls, house walls (conventional construction), garden walls, etc.
> can be made simply with a wallmaker and straw-clay mixture. Stuff the
> straw-clay mix into the form and tamp down with a 4x4 or post. It will be
> springy, that is, it won't tamp down solid and you don't want to. When the
> clay dries the wall will be surprisingly stiff. It can then be plastered to
> make it permanent.
> The wallmaker itself is made from a couple of plywood sheets 2' x 4', 4
> shelf brackets, 2 pipes 3' long (such as metal water pipe), and 4 U-bolts
> with wingnuts. Extra reinforcing of the edges with 2 x 2's helps."
> 
> Anyone know anything about using this "wallmaker" idea?
> I am looking for simple building methods for a project in Costa Rica. (my
> site is www.ticoOrganico.com)
> 
> Thanks,
> Arlie