[Cob] RE: Foundations and cob

[Mary Lou McFarland]

I'm getting confused on a couple of points about this question.  I would 
consider what is below ground or below grade to be foundation.  On top of 
the foundation would be the bond beam which would be the continuous circle 
of concrete that holds the structure, more or less together during shifting 
in the ground. Then would be the stem wall which is the rocks that go up 
into the cob. (or urbanite if you are recycling)  I saw a special on cabin 
in the canadian rockies and this old fellow said that the water protection 
came from the height of the stem wall and that he would never build a cabin 
on a stem wall less than eighteen inches tall.  This guy was like....ancient 
so I suppose he has seen a lot of cabins in his time.  Don't forget that 
wide roof overhang.    Okay, I'm getting off track.  Mean't to ask if their 
concern was actually the foundation or the stem wall, since in the original 
posting the foundation and the rocks that joined the cob were both 
mentioned.