[Cob] reinforcing!!

[laythss at yahoo.com]

Hello all,
First of all, This question is for my  architectural masters thesis.
   I was wondering your thoughts about how to reinforce a  cob 
structure. (to be approved by local authorities).  I am in california.
what i was thinking of is  adding  5% cement to the cob walls, using a 
reinforced cement foundation along with a wooden (or cement) bond beam 
for the top, and reinforcing the walls with rebar.  The problem is this 
method seems to contradict the original idea of building with cob 
(adobe or rammed earth for that matter).  I was not able to get the New 
Zealand standards to see what they are doing (it seems there must be a 
better way, especially for rammed earth, since How are you supposed to 
ram the soil if you have rebar sticking out).

I hope to hear your ideas, comments, links, insights. Every, and any 
thing is helpful for me.

Layth