Cob: Tie Downs

[lightearth at onebox.com]

Hey again Kim,

I assume you mean using cables wire that is used for trailer tie-downs and then sinking a log or something part way down in the cob wall. Then this 'deadman' (an rare excellent example of positive choice of non-feminist words) with the cable through it is cobbed over and around and disappears in the wall. You keep the cables UP as you cob around them and then tie them through a hole in the rafters. I'd use turnbuckles to tie them to as these allow you to tighten the cable after tieing.

I've heard that the best wire is something that doesn't stretch like 'aircraft cable' but something designed for a heavy load like trailer tie-downs will certainly work. I'd put one around each major rafter. Another hint I've learned is to rest the rafter on wood, in the cob, so that it's weight is distributed. This will also allow you to crank down on a turnbuckle (or some other type of tightening device) without cutting the rafter into the cob.

Marlin


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Subject:  Cob: Tie Downs

I know that when I brought it up earlier, it was not very well received, but I am still wondering about using mobile home tie-downs to help hold the roof on a cob building. I didn't mean tied down like a mobile home is tied down, but fastened to the beam and sunk into the cob.

Kim