Cob: steel reinforcement

[D.J. Henman]

Brad,
    the heat expansion and moisture content like you say, make steel and 
other metals not compatiable with cob or earthen walls in my opinion.   
Not to mention what would happen when tension is applied, like a small 
earth tremor.

   Rather than the cyclon fence mesh, I'd recommend using a bambo mesh 
or a woven wood lath or branch  type of mesh for you wattle.

Darel

----------------

Brad Calvert wrote:

>I gather regular steel reinforcing, like that used with concrete, does not
>work with cob due to the straight sections of steel not expanding and
>contracting with varied moisture content.
>
>Is this the accepted view?
>
>Has anyone tried using chain-mesh (often known as Cyclone wire, a trademark,
>in Australia) fencing wire?  The zig-zag wires that intermesh with each
>other.  I was thinking maybe if the wire was slack, not pulled tight, and
>the cob put around it, the wire might be able to flex and stretch and not
>cause a problem.  Or at least not so much of a problem.
>
>Any opinions?
>  
>