[Fwd: Re: Cob: steel]

[Darel Henman]

Frances,

Cob for 3" would not be strong.  It would make more sense to have 1"
holes with 1" diameter bamboo culms, or cane or willow branches as poles
through it to serve as an anchor and wattle base.  

Also not being a steel expert.  I was thinking that as we know cob
breathes and moderates the humidity in a home.  It sucks up moisture
when humid and releases it when dry, thus moderating inside humidity
changes.  This being the case, the cob will have a moisture content.  I
don't know about how far it would penetrate. 

But, (for you steel material knowing people), would this moisture give
rise to oxidation / rust of the steel members?

Darel


> Frances Grill wrote:
> 
> I am curious if this steel building is a "red iron" building? If so,
> couldn't pathways be cut into the iron periodicaly to allow cob to
> pass through which would continue the monolithic nature of cob. I
> don't know what thickness of walls you are thinking of, but if the
> metal is six inches wide, and you have 16 inches of cob for instance,
> you could cut 3 inch passages for the cob to link through. I've had to
> cut 3" holes for plumbing passages so I presume it would not affect
> the integrity of the metal posts. I haven't figured out if , as most
> red iron buildings, it is post and beam (like a pole barn) or if you
> are talking about metal studs. I do be curious. Good luck
> Paz, Pedro