Cob: Re:apology re dumb & etc

[Otherfish at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/19/99 7:10:38 PM, Shannon dealy at deatech.com wrote:

<<You could go with one thick structural wall on the
interior, and a much thinner exterior wall that is only required to
support itself and enclose the outer insulation (it could even be lightly
coupled to the structural wall for added strength).  Originally I was
thinking cob for the exterior wall, .....>>

Shannon, I believe the same problem would hold if you did the thin outer wall 
with cob: - which is that a thin cob wall is potentially dangerous as, cob 
(as do other forms of nontensile strength earth construction) rely on a mass 
thickness for strength - a potential failure of this relatively thin outer 
wall might not compromise the structure of the building, however, the weight 
is still there & the possibillity of a falling fractured earth wall is 
dangerous & better avoided.

<<.....but after a number of discussions with
other cobbers, concluded that using a wattle and daub approach would be
stronger for a thin non-supporting retaining wall.>>

This is an excelent idea.  Wattle & daub has a lot of possibility. In this 
case the void could be stuffed with a local grass or straw to insulate in 
those climates needing such.

Also, this leads into the previous thread on coppice woods, anyone who has 
access to a plot of woodland & the time to plan ahead, could grow all of the 
wood they would need to build their desired wattle & daub constructions.  
Natural building at its best !!!!!!

Regards
john fordice
TCCP
otherfish at aol.com