Cob Hardening Of Lime

[brad davis]

Thanks Harry for the comments. I just finshed reading your messages on the
Strawbale list now that I have time to read. I would also like to thank you
for what you have presented to us.

Interestingly, what you are reporting seems to make sense of my findings. 

Furthermore, what I find really interesting is I now have a better idea how
Hemp reacts in Lime to produce a super, light weight, moisture-proof
concrete. Hurds have approximately 20% silica content.

Brad

At 10:20 PM 4/11/98 EDT, you wrote:
>Super 
>
>Good work - lots of work, and nice to share with the group.
>
>On lime mixes, I would recommend coating the lime/sand mix after it is almost
>hart - "thumb print hard" - then rubbing in the oil. This is what McDonald
>describes in "the History of Plaster" as being able to make lime /sand plaster
>hard and polished as marble. I think what happens here is that after making a
>pozzoilonic mixture of lime and sand, then you waterproof if by reacting fatty
>acids in the  oilto make a calcium soap top layer or covering. Calcium soaps
>are water proof - like the bath tub ring if you have hard water.
>
>Regard, Harry
>
>