Cob: earthquake

[Mr. & Mrs. Bryan]

Some time ago the list mentioned an earthquake in the NW.  I was wondering
if anyone knew how the cob buildings and walls in that area faired?  In the
process of building a cob cabin and about 100 miles from the New Madrid
fault here in Missouri.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ocean" <ahimsaocean at yahoo.com>
To: "Darel Henman" <henman at it.to-be.co.jp>
Cc: <coblist at deatech.com>
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2002 3:53 PM
Subject: Re: Cob: Cob plaster on a conventional wall!


> I don't see any reason stucco mesh (lath) would degrade the strength of
> the earthen plaster.  It's main purpose is to attach the plaster coat
> to the sheathing.  And once it is dry, there isn't enough moisture to
> rust the lath, which is by the way, galvanized (we've left the stuff in
> the weather, lots of rain, for over a year, NO RUST!)  Also, we
> attached the lath to the sheathing with roofing nails, which are also
> galvanized.
>
> And no, as I wrote in my first email, we didn't use any lime, just
> seived clay, sand and chopped straw.  Again, this wall is protected
> from direct weather, under a patio roof.  I wouldn't try this as an
> exterior finish on a conventional house.  After all, if you've alread
> got a wooden stud frame house, which not use wooden siding (or
> aluminum?)
>
> My response was to the question about using earthen plasters in
> interior applications.  I don't see why we would want to use lime on
> the interior either, unless it is an area where you want to wash the
> wall or for the lighter color.  Like cement, lime (quick or hydrated)
> is an industrial product which requires a lot of energy to produce.
> BTW, the earthen plastered wall is beautiful, the red clay giving the
> wall a soft rust color.
>
> Ocean
>
> --- Darel Henman <henman at it.to-be.co.jp> wrote:
> > Ocean,
> >   I earnestly hope that you wall lives long.  But, I fear the use of
> > a
> > metal lath will shorten the life of the mud plaster wall.
> >
> >   Also if you are in a humid area, the metal lath, if it is not rust
> > proof could rust through in time.  Mud plasters with have been aged
> > with
> > the straw until the straw ferments is reported to dry harder and last
> > longer than simley added the chipped straw.
> >
> >   One should even consider using rust proof nails to attach lath in
> > humid areas or where walls will be subject to a lot of water vapor.
> >
> >   Since it is done I hope the walls lasts long.  Please give the
> > group
> > updates every so often as the data would be valuable to all of us.
> >
> >   Did you put any lime in the mud plaster?
> >
> > Darel
>
>
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