[Cob] reinforcing!!

[Dognyard]

Cob is different from rammed earth. Rammed earth already has, as far as
I know, some building codes regarding renforcing in both California and
British Columbia, Canada. It is used extensively in Australia as well.
Yes, they ram around rebar, and they use a concrete bond beam.

Different kettle of fish to cob, and a different means of construction,
and usually, a very different home design. You can make squarish corners
with rammed earth...mostly you would want to avoid that with cob I
think, and cob homes are generally more curvatious...the curving walls
give the home it's stability.

Here is a site on rammed earth from BC, Canada. They are friendly folks,
and will answer questions if you email them.

http://www.sirewall.com/


Here's a site on rammed earth from California:

http://www.rammedearthworks.com/

Also, a group in British Columbia have been doing shake tests on cob
construction. I don't have that link handy...can someone post it again?

Karen Clouston