[Cob] Building retaining walls

[Dirtcheapbuilder-Charmaine]

Earth bags and rebar might work.. I have a sloped hill side too... and 
was going to use stacked, 'topless' tires, but decided on the bags, old 
coffee bean burlap sacks are strong...fill with rocky dirt( no worries 
on cob /clay quality- and stabilize with hydrated lime if desired)

, dig a shallow trench , fill with  rocks for drainage,  lay the bags 
in brick building style ( 1 over 2, 2 over 1) stabilize by pouding 
rebar, or bamboo, or ??  salvaged metal pipe?  thru, and coat with 
earthen/lime plaster.

  I was going to make a "flower box" on top with some redwood slats to 
make a long narrow box. and plant some sweet peas, etc. to hav a  
flower bd to cover over the  privacy wall


Rammed tired are very popular, and take the ( one sidewall)  top rim 
off-- much easier to pound/fill with any old dirt.  I can email a photo 
os a  "step/ramp" I did with 7 tires  if you like.

Charmaine


On Jun 28, 2007, at 7:33 AM, Wilderness Voice wrote:
Just wondering if anyone has a good ideas for building retaining walls.

Charmaine Taylor Publishing
www.dirtcheapbuilder.com  www.papercrete.com
PO BOX 375   CUTTEN CA 95534  USA
Tel:  707-441-1632   11-4 PST