Cob: Re: earth floors

[Matthew HALL(SED)]

henman at it.to-be.co.jp writes:
>I've read that if rice straw (maybe otherkinds as well) is allowed to
>ferment then mixed into the lime and let to sit for a few months more
>the fermented cut straw is soft and bonds with the lime mud. 
>Addiontionally fermented aged straw seems to produce a kind of glue that
>aids in water resistence and applicability.  This is normally used for
>middle and finished coats over a rougher mud/straw wall.
>
>Darel

Dear Darel,

Where have you 'read' this about the fermentation of natural fibres in clay matrices? Do you have a
reference for this work i am very interested in finding out more about the use of natural fibres in
soil. Does the use of lime enhance the fibres adhesion within the soil: the mechanisms of lime
stabilisation are quite different from cementicious bonding using OPC or similar.

Matthew Hall

Centre for the Built Environment
School of Environment & Development
Sheffield Hallam University
Unit 9 Science Park
Howard Street
Sheffield S1 1WB
England

Tel: +44 (0) 114 225 3244
Fax: +44 (0) 114 225 3206
E-mail: (work) M.Hall at shu.ac.uk
E-mail: (home) Matt at Hall2000.fsnet.co.uk