Cob: rock core cob wall

[Carla Kennedy]

Ken,
I really like the idea and am looking forward to the input of others.  One 
thing that comes to mind:  The interior would have to stay dry to prevent 
rotten straw, so wouldn't that prevent rust at the same time?  I think I'd 
want to use a little rebar in conjunction with the wires holding it 
together.  So it's turned at each end and sunk in the cob?  And I'd imagine 
that the cob would still have to be pretty thick.  Good luck with it!

>From: "ken skeen" <kenskeen at hotmail.com>
>Reply-To: "ken skeen" <kenskeen at hotmail.com>
>To: coblist at deatech.com
>Subject: Cob: rock core cob wall
>Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 15:31:52 -0700
>
>
>I've a bunch of rock and was thinking of constructing a round cob structure
>with a rock core.  I'd make 2 perimeters of heavy-guage wire fencing -
>perhaps 2 to 3 feet apart and fill the interior with rubble.  Cross wire
>ties would be added every 8 inches or so to keep the fence from bowing out.
>I've see highway depts. do this sort of thing for retaining walls.  After I
>achieved height with this wall, I'd cob the interior and exterior with say
>2-4 inches of cob.  My goal with this structure is to not use concrete and
>make use of the rock resource.  When the building's life-span completes, 
>I'd
>(or somebody) would just recycle the wire and let the rest go back to the
>earth.  I'm thinkin the structure would also be somewhat earthquake
>resistant.  I'm curious what sort of insulation value a cob encased rubble
>wall would provide.  My main concern is that the wire would rust and the
>wall would fail.  I plan on giving this a shot at some point and would
>appreciate any comments.
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