[Cob] How wide should a cob wall be in earthquake zones?

[Whidbey Island Soap Co.]

Hmm! I wonder if you can mix the clay and sand first then stomp in the straw
by foot. Sure would save some time and effort. I wonder if you can make some
type of tool that would take the place of the cobbers thumb. One that would
replicate many at once while keeping the wall widths the same? Also, how
about when on the tarp mixing. role the stuff up like a burito and then
cutting them into section befor lifting to the wall. Would that work?

David T
........................................
By now there may be a couple of cob shake tests--the one I know of was in
BC.  It passed, with some damage, although IIRC the shake machine couldn't
be turned off, so it got more shaking than planned.

Most of the people I know who are doing machine made cob are using a tiller
or a skid steer loader to do the mixing.  Neither mortar mixers nor concrete
mixers will do the whole job.  Although you might be able to break up your
clay and add sand with either.

People who are building slip-form concrete houses do the equivalent of
small-batch concrete footings or foundations.  It can be done.  If I were
doing concrete footings, though, it sure would be nice to just get it done.
Then fuss with my stone or urbanite foundation and stemwall that people will
see.