Cob: Re: Wood instead of Straw?

Sat Aug 25 13:31:55 CDT 2001

Please consider this everyone,

I hope we are all careful to be building strong structures in the interest of safety. 

The basic strength of a structure requires, as I understand it, compressive strength and tensile strength and of course sheer strength. Foundations for instance depend heavily on compressive strength while roof systems rely heavily on tensile strength. Vertical elements such as columns and walls must strike a balance between the two. 

A rock, being rather hard to mash, is easily discernable as something solid to stand on. However, if we want a column or wall we must either carve it or stack it with great care so that it won't fall over and mash us. 

A tree does very well demonstrating that wood is structurally suitable for posts and beams with its long strong fibers standing and reaching out for breezes to give them exercise.  Imagine too the grasses standing and blowing in the wind.

Earthen walls should have long strong  fibers for good tensile strength and rock solid aggregates for compressive strength.  Grasses and gravels are generally easy choices. Sawdust and wood chips are long fibers chopped into short fibers. The beauty of wood is how its fibers hang so solidly together.  But we do have many uses for short fibers in strengthening finishes and thermal properties.

howard switzer
ecoville architechs

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Brian Jensen 

  I am curious if there has been any cob that has been made with shredded wood? 
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Please consider this everyone,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I hope we are all careful to be building strong 
structures in the interest of safety. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The basic strength of a <STRONG>structure 
</STRONG><STRONG>requires</STRONG>, as I understand it, 
<STRONG>compressive</STRONG> strength and <STRONG>tensile</STRONG> strength and 
of course sheer strength. Foundations for instance depend heavily on compressive 
strength while roof systems rely heavily on tensile strength. Vertical elements 
such as columns and walls must strike a balance between the two. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A rock, being rather hard to mash, is easily 
discernable as something solid to stand on. However, if we want a column or wall 
we must either carve it or stack it with great care so that it won't fall over 
and mash us. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A tree does very well demonstrating that 
wood is structurally suitable for posts and beams with its long strong fibers 
standing and reaching out for breezes to give them exercise.  Imagine too 
the grasses standing and blowing in the wind.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Earthen walls should have long strong  fibers 
for good tensile strength and rock solid aggregates for compressive 
strength.  Grasses and gravels are generally easy 
choices. Sawdust and wood chips are long fibers chopped 
into short fibers. The beauty of wood is how its fibers hang so solidly 
together.  But we do have many uses for short fibers in strengthening 
finishes and thermal properties.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>howard switzer</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>ecoville architechs</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr 
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
  <DIV 
  style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> 
  <A title=bjensen at crcom.net href="mailto:bjensen at crcom.net">Brian Jensen</A> 
  </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I am curious if there has been any cob that has 
  been made with shredded wood? </FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

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