[Cob] Tires For a Foundation?

[beno]

The whole reason for doing this would be to stabilize the foundation. I 
envision them as big flat boulders. Now, if I somehow attached those 
tires together in a ring and to tires within the circle, all stuffed and 
tamped with caliche gravel, as in my diagram, then I believe it would be 
very stable. But that's the opinion of someone who's never done it ;) 
Which is why I solicit yours :))
As far as my climate, I live in the Dominican Republic, so I'm not too 
worried about freezing <g>. It's not tropical but close to tropical 
where I live.
beno

Dognyard wrote:

>beno wrote:
>
>  
>
>>Well, I thought the tires would give form: like big flat boulders upon
>>which to build.No slippage.
>>Actually, I read in the archives (after posting) a couple years back
>>that apparently this is done...even used in walls!
>>beno
>>    
>>
>
>Hi!
>
>It IS done...in earthship construction. They use tamped sand in tires,
>and the tires are stacked in staggered rows (like bricks), and long iron
>bars are driven down through each row (or it may go completely from top
>to bottom...I'm not sure) so the rows are knitted together. Then any
>above ground tires are plastered over to protect them and to help keep
>them stable.
>
>I'm no authority, but I can't see why that wouldn't work for a
>foundation...but you may have to have that outer shell of
>concrete/cement for stabilization. I'm not sure. I don't know enough
>about it, and a lot may depend on the climate (freezing or not). Most of
>the earthships I've read about are in arid areas.
>
>You could cruise the internet and do a search on Earthship Construction.
>There is a lot of information available out there.
>
>Karen in Alberta
>
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