Cob: Re: cob test info request

[Darel Henman]

Indeed, clay soil's quality and strength varies by local and even by
level in the earth.  

In fact the types of straw might make a difference as well.  For example
in Japan they find that the straw from sweet mochi rice does very well. 
They also found that fermenting the straw with the mud make for better
holding together properties.

A place to send samples to for testing would be a great boon to the
world.

A place to a.) test the soil itself. and  b.) to test the actual recipe
that's proposed to be used.

A good business venture for someone out there to start.

Darel


Ric Allan wrote:
> 
> Being a newbie to the list and the 'cob' community, I've been doing a lot of
> reading.  Inasmuch, I have the following comment and ?point to ponder.
> 
> 1)  The literature/writings I've been reading seem to indicate an expected
> variance (possibly stronger) between the traditional cob in the UK and
> 'Oregon cob'...   The tests would be enlightening in seeing how they
> compare.
> 
> 2)  Wouldn't it be nice if we (the amateurs) had a place to send sample
> bricks for testing...  at a reasonable cost.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Wye <mike at mikewye.co.uk>
> To: John Fordice <otherfish at attbi.com>; coblist at deatech.com
> <coblist at deatech.com>
> Date: Sunday, January 13, 2002 4:19 PM
> Subject: Cob: cob test info request
> 
> >Dear John,
> >The website link for Plymouth University, England is
> >http://www.science.plym.ac.uk/DEPARTMENTS/geology/EarthMats.html
> >They have been testing cob mixes for many years now.
> >regards,
> >Mike Wye
> >Mike Wye & Associates,
> >Traditional & Ecological Building Products
> >www.mikewye.co.uk
> >01409-281644
> >sales at mikewye.co.uk
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "John Fordice" <otherfish at attbi.com>
> >To: <coblist at deatech.com>
> >Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2002 8:55 PM
> >Subject: Cob: cob test info request
> >
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Greetings to all cobbers,
> >>
> >> Well we are finally starting on some preliminary cob testing towards the
> >> COB CODE PROJECT.   The testing will be done starting in the next few
> >> weeks by Steven West at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon.
> >>  The cob test samples are to be made by Ianto at Cob Cottage.   We will
> >> be doing compression, rupture and possibly some shear tests.  We are
> >> also hoping to make duplicate tests on some simple test apparatus that
> >> can be field-built, with the goal of developing a simple field test
> >> standard that cobbers can use.  This is all with the ultimate goal of
> >> developing a relevant Cob Building Code.
> >>
> >> As a part of this work, we like to include the results of others who
> >> have done any similar testing.  If you have, or are aware of, any cob
> >> testing that has been done  please let me know ASAP.   We would like to
> >> include news and results of others cob test efforts in the report we
> >> will be developing.    Anything you care to add to this worthwhile goal
> >> of cob testing and code recognition will be much appreciated.
> >>
> >> We will be submitting a presentation for an Ecological Design Conference
> >> to be held this Summer in Berkeley, and would like to bring into the
> >> conference as much as we can about your and others works with Cob.  The
> >> abstract of the presentation is due this coming February 1,  so if you
> >> wish to respond please don't delay.
> >>
> >> Thanks and cob on !!!
> >>
> >> john fordice
> >> TCCP
> >>
> >
> >
> >