[Cob] Cob/Masonry

[Janet Standeford]

Someone asked awhile back if Cob could be classified as masonry.
Yes. In fact cob is accepted within code guidelines as adobe, which is 
the same mix, just shorter straw than we use in cob.
Adobe is under masonry with ASTM C67 in the Oregon Codes.
This is what my samples will be tested for.

It's too bad we seem to be hung up on a "word". Cob vs Adobe where 
officials are concerned.
In speaking with one today, when I said I was using re-bar, he was 
satisfied as long as my Structural Engineer has determined it to be 
good. (He has.)

When I mention that cob is monolithic adobe and will dry like a brick 
around the re-bar, they start to get it.

Another key is cold joint locking that explains to them that the layers 
will not slip off each other. This is where the cobber's thumb holes and 
subsequent layers being mashed into the holes to cause interlocking 
becomes valuable to officials.

Otherwise, as I was told by Building, your Structural Engineer can write 
a statement saying it is not necessary to use cold joints. Of course we 
would but it may not be required.

Janet Standeford OR
www.buildingnaturally.info (Owned by the worldwide
community of alternative material builders) a resource
for healthy homes. Created in TikiWiki (identical to
WikiPedia)Let's not just talk about it/Let's make it happen!
Ask for Admin ID&  Password to help create the site.
admin at buildingnaturally.info
The Green Globes standard, American Code Standard
for Green Building is to be released in late Spring.