[Cob] Straw Bale Slab under cob house

[Heather Howard]

Hello all,
Just finished reading "The Straw Bale House" and came across something
interesting.  The ArchiBio group in Canada suggests using straw bales
instead of rebar in a slab foundation.  Additonally, they chop straw
and add it to the concrete that they pour all around the bales.  It is
said to create a honeycomblike web that is both insulative and strong.
 Has anyone on our coblist ever heard of or tried this?  Thank you for
all input!  Heather