Cob: Good Foundation?

[D.J. Henman]

Michael,
  see my comments below intermixed with your original text.

Darel
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puppetman at ix.netcom.com wrote:

>......... snipped
>
>Does anyone have a cinva-type ram in or near Michigan I could buy-rent-or borrow? Has anybody tried incorporating a hydraulic car jack into the design? Did it work? Did it give you better blocks?
>
I don't have any information here.   Sounds plausible though.

>I have been to Africa and helped to build some garden walls. I am considering this as my first project here. If I used a thick cement plaster at the base would this be sufficient for the good "boot" earth walls require?
>
I don't recommend the use of a hard cement plaster over cob.   It tends 
to peel off, flake off in large flakes.

>Can I incorporate stone elements into the wall or would there be a problem with shrinkage vs. non-shrinkage? 
>
I've seen very old walls made with rocks in it and there didn't seem to 
be a problem.   But the examples I saw where all exterior outside 
fence-like walls.

>How does a garden wall without a foundation fail? Does it just suddenly fall over or does it crack where you can repair it by pounding in mud and replaster? 
>  
>
The walls with primarily rock that I've seen have been so well fit 
together and thick that they seem to be very stable.    

>I am considering a small 200 sq. ft. outbuilding. Can I use concrete stabiized earth block for the foundation (foundations are 4' deep in Michigan) or will I have to buy cinderblock? 
>  
>
The stabilized compressed earth block should be sufficient and would 
perform better thermally than concrete blocks.

>As you can see, I am at the very beginning of my research, so any info or experiences that you might have to share are greatly appreciated. Oh, and is there any way to stop folks from looking at you like you're crazy for wanting to build with dirt?
>
>Thanx in advance;
>Michael Fitzgerald
>Anthropologist/Woodcarver/Puppetmaker
>
Good luck to you.   Let us all know what you find and how you fare in 
your project.

Darel