Cob Earthen History Revisited

[Jeffrey Kirsch]

Thank you, thank you! 
To the library I go! (though I really need to be looking for a job - 
tomorrow).

-Jeffrey


Date sent:      	Mon, 24 Aug 1998 22:31:32 -0600
From:           	Paul & Mary Salas <chansey at earthlink.net>
Organization:   	SANCO Enterprises, Albuq. N.M.
To:             	coblist at deatech.com
Copies to:      	essa at csf.colorado.edu
Subject:        	Cob Earthen History Revisited
Send reply to:  	coblist at deatech.com

> John, Jeffrey and others,
> 
> This is in response to "Cob Code" and "Cob Failures"
> 
> It has been stated many, many times, building with earth is not new and
> its properties are well documented although now well published.  When we
> view earth construction as a whole, we must place Rammed Earth, Cob, Adobe
> and even Wattle and Daub into the same category--similar to when we speak
> of concrete.  The elements are similar and the variance is in the mix
> design and the admixtures that enhance the performance features being
> sought.
> 
> There has been extensive writing, data collection and publication on
> earthen construction in the U.S. with a wide geographical distribution in
> location,. architectural style and construction technique.  The oldest
> known publication in the U.S. having to do with earth construction is by
> S.W. Johnson, "Rural Economy", 1806, "Economical Builder, "A Trestie on
> Tapia and Pise Walls", 1839 by E. Gillman.  In 1873, the U.S.
> Quartermaster Department published "Notes on Building with Concrete and
> Pise" for use in constructing military structures.
> 
> If you can find a copy of the 1927 U.S. Department of Agriculture,
> Farmer's Bulletin #1500: "Rammed Earth Walls for Buildings" by T.A.H.
> Miller and M.C. Betts you'll see why this was the bible for earthen
> construction during the 1920's, 30's and 40's.  The U.S. Department of
> Agriculture played a lead role in promoting earth construction with
> extensive documentation.  In 1926, T.A.H. Miller published a report on the
> condition of earth buildings for the period of 1820-1854.  Ralph L. Patty
> published data on his work on the Indian Reservations in the South Dakota
> along with finishes for the interior and exterior and, puddled earth in
> 1939..  Thomas Hibben published a living history of earth homes, churches
> and commercial structures in Alabama including discussion on those that
> had survived earth quakes.  Interesting note, the failed component in
> these structures was the unforgiving concrete that had been added to the
> buildings after completion.
> 
> For those interested in pursing data collection, I suggest that you
> start with the book "The Rammed-Earth House" by Anthony F. Merrill,
> 1947.  Don't confuse this with David Easton's 1996 publication by the same
> name.  It's a good reference source.
> 
> I believe the historical data as well as test data are already
> available--they just need to be updated.  For example,  the Extracts of
> the 1939 ASTM Standards includes discussion for earth construction as did
> the 1941 Kansas Experiment Station Bulletin No. 41 by Charles Fenton, "The
> Use of Earth as building material".
> 
> I hope this puts to rest some of the frustration about
> Cob-Pise-Adobe-Earth construction not having been studied and that there
> is no data----this oughta to keep a few of you out late at the library for
> a while.
> 
> Paul Salas
> SANCO Enterprises
> Albuq., N.M