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Cob: Question: cob foundation in clay-rich soil

Shannon C. Dealy dealy at deatech.com
Mon Oct 15 00:29:27 CDT 2001


On Sun, 7 Oct 2001, Carla Kennedy wrote:

[snip]
> If I do end up using a standard foundation, how does that impact the rest of 
> the building process?  What would I have to do differently?
> Thank you!
> Carla

It doesn't really impact the rest of the process, the main reasons I am
aware of that cobber's prefer not to use conventional foundations are
price and pollution (due to the use of cement in the foundation).
Otherwise, the only additional considerations might be to make the
foundation with a rough/uneven top surface where the cob will be placed.
For additional attachment strength, you might want rebar sticking out
of the top of the foundation so it will stick up into the cob wall, though
others on the list probably have more experience with conventional
foundations and cob than I do.

Shannon C. Dealy      |               DeaTech Research Inc.
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