[Cob] Gravel Bag Foundations

[Georgie Donais]

   Michael,
   This sounds similar to earthbag foundations. In Doni Kiffmeyer/Kaki
   Hunter's book Earthbag Building, they talk about a first course of
   gravel-filled bags, followed by however many courses of earthbags
   (rammed earth mixture of sand, clay and water). The earth can be
   stabilized, though in our case, bcs we had insulated and
   water-protected the perimeter, we used raw, unstabilized earth. Here
   are some pics: [1]http://tinyurl.com/2rg5b9
   Georgie
   [2]www.cobinthepark.ca
   At 11:50 AM 8/8/2007, Peters Michael wrote:

     Hello Everyone,

       I am trying to find information on the use of gravel-filled bags
     as foundations for cob/earthbag/strawbale walls. I have searched
     the archives, and found plenty on the use of gravel in various
     applications, but not as wall foundations/stemwalls. There's almost
     nothing that I could find on the internet, and all of the books I
     have looked at have said that it is an "exciting, but experimental
     technique whose long-term durability has not been proven."

       Has anyone on this list had experience with this type of
     foundation, or know more than what I have already found out?
     Thanks.

       Michael Peters
       New Braunfels, TX

References

   1. http://tinyurl.com/2rg5b9
   2. http://www.cobinthepark.ca/