Cob RE: cob codes

[Otherfish at aol.com]

To John Schinnerer
John
 Yes - that will be the trick - to write the code so that it is broad enouigh
to allow for regional, material, climatic and idiosyncratic differences

What I think is going to happen is:
-a thorough laboratory level testing of cob ( in as many itterations as is
possible - this is a key component to the issue you raise ) will reveal its
actual physical properties....
ie: ability to withstand applied loads ( compression, tension. shear)
-this can be used to predict performance to the types of loads that will occur
in a building
-these predictions can then be tested 
-this is basic scientific method & will bing us to a clearer understanding of
the actual physical limits of cob than we now have
-one of the goals of the research will be to develope a simple set of field
tests that can be performed at low or no cost & use to establish the limits of
a specific co mixture/situation.
-combining this with a set of realistic standards ie: if your cob is strong
enough - no matter what its components, mixing variables are -then you will be
able to build to the limits that that strength has been tested to withstand.

seems pretty straight forward to me

it will be a challenge to do this & write a realistic code that allows max
variation & freedom - but it is a worthwhile goal

it really does need to be done if cob is to reach into the world of thr great
unmuddied !!!

hope this helps

what are your thoughts on this?
regards 
cob on

john fordice
TCCP
otherfish at aol.com