Basic Techniques 2 - Earthen Construction

Basic Common Techniques of Different Types of Earthen Construction Continued

From Page > 1 , 2

Which covered a few of the basics of the revitalized ancient and common Earthen Construction Techniques offered by Earthen Construction.
Including: Rammed Earth, Rammed Earth Brick or Block, Rammed-Earth-Tire Block, and Cobb

Page 2 - Below, the basic common techniques of different types of Earthen Construction continued: Earthbag, Hay or Straw-Bale, Light Straw Clay or Slip Straw, Slip and Chip, Wattle-and-Daub

Page 3 - Cord-Wood, Log, and Hybrid {Combined} Sustainable Methods
Continued > 3 , 4 , 5

Basic Common Examples of Cobb Adobe Earthbag Construction ~

The following are common examples Earthen Construction Techniques of Cobb Adobe and some of those found in Sustainable Building such as utilizing or combining recycling or recycled materials as a resource for construction. In this case, sand bags and/or all those old grain sacks made of woven materials such as hemp, burlap, nylon or plastic,... That today, can even be purchased in building materials or supplies; full or empty and/or already constructed themselves as sand bags as they are currently manufactured for Earthbags or even in earth-tubes, for Earthbag Construction.

Earthbag aka Sandbag construction is both an old and new concept. In that, sandbag construction has been utilized in calamity, distress and war; because they can be erected simply and quickly by communities, governments, organizations and military forces,... As they have been utilized for over 100 years, in the creation of strong protective barriers and/or for flood control since at least as far back as WWI, that I know of and can document.

Please, Allow me to Clarify once more, that Earthen Construction is not claiming responsibility for Constructing or Copy Rights for any of these Examples shown on this page(s). These are images found published in Commons and are only set here as examples of the type of Construction and Techniques I/we currently offer. Please See Our Gallery for some Examples of my/our work. Thank You!

All images are provided for educational purposes without profit and are linked to their original locations and you can click on that image to visit that site and/or to see more. Your Very Welcome! For the Free Advertising and Info. Abundant Blessings!

Photo courtesy of Orville Hinck (from Korean War, 1955)

ww1 trench sandbags

Sandbags world war 1 trench of death Flanders Belgium

As in all of the previous common concepts of Earthen Construction Techniques that we have discussed and as seen in part of our header of this page; this building process, concept or technique, combined with other common Earthen and/or Natural Elements and/or Techniques and/or tools has resulted in improvements and/or other concepts and/or other building Techniques over time. Through the common paths of Artisan Desire or Vision, the Need for Sustainability and/or feats Structural Engineering.

It only seems to be in order, that one of the first combinations of concepts or techniques made in or with sandbag construction would be Cobb Adobe.

Earthbag construction is just one technique that has been utilized to over time to make Earthen and/or Adobe Construction and the resulting Structures more earthquake proof. As this has also been the case with rammed earth construction, in the previously mentioned rammed-earth-tire construction.

Earthbags today are being filled completely with insulation making them considerably lighter to work with. Scoria, pumice, perlite, vermiculite, rice hulls, hemp or straw are all suitable insulating materials. These materials are natural, lightweight, easy to work with and non-toxic. Most (all but rice hulls, hemp and straw) will not burn or rot (hemp will not rot though it does burn) and do not attract insects or vermin. In addition, all but rice hulls are not adversely affected by moisture and can be used as part of earth-bermed or earth-sheltered structures.

Earthags can even be completely filled with gravel or small rocks. Like sand it will breath, won't rot or burn... and is heavier than soil.

A reminder, that an Artisan or Master Builder can Color the earthen mix and/or Improve it, making it mildew proof,... By adding other natural elements to the earthen mix such as lime or hemp... And/or can even improve unsuitable soils, making it suitable for building purposes. There are a few Experts.

For Best Results in any type of Earthen Construction for all those DIY-selfers out there who may have missed these important details; One should Always Avoid Adding Anything to soil or earthen mixture that will breakdown easily or decompose and/or hold moisture. Floors, Walls and Foundations,... Should always be able to breath. Why so much sand is added. A vapor bearer may even be added, if done properly and if needed in very moist climates.
Materials such as straw or hemp are added to the earthen mix as stabilizers or strengtheners to prevent cracking. A good basic soil mixture for building or construction is approx 70/30 with 70% of it sand. Many times the soil on your property will work just fine, at times sand may need to be added.

Basic Common Examples of Hay or Straw-Bale Techniques ~

Speaking of Hay or Straw being added to the Earthen Mix for stability. Now seems like a good time to discuss the common use of this emerging yet very basic Natural Building Block, Element, Tool or Technique of Adobe Hay or Straw Bale Construction. As depicted in the following images below the hay or (Recommended) Straw Bales are stacked like bricks, joined together with wooden or metal rods or pins driven through them and then all exposed surfaces are covered with common methods of Cobb Adobe. This Technique as all the others has been combined with all the others over time.

Some advantages of straw-bale construction over conventional building systems include; It has a renewable nature, can be a little costly in hard to find or high demand areas, in other areas it may be in an seemingly endless free supply for others, cost, easy availability in many areas, naturally fire-retardant and a high insulation value for cold climates. Disadvantages include it's susceptibility to rot, difficulty of obtaining homeowners insurance coverage, and high space requirements for the straw itself. A low moisture level does not aid in the breakdown of the straw. However, getting the details right for proper construction of the insets, within the straw-bale wall such as where to put the plumbing and/or how to do flashing around windows and doors is all very important in keeping moisture levels down; just as as laying the proper foundation is in the construction of any type of building.

Basic Common Examples of Light Straw Clay or Slip-Straw ~

Using straw like sand in the earthen mix? This is a common technique where the straw is just lightly covered in clay slip and pressed into spaces between bales, wood frames or forms and/or utilized as an infill for walls or cracks it will hold it's shape when it is allowed to dry. After drying it can be removed from forms or left in frames, then they can be coated with a clay plaster or cob mixture to make more breathable insulated ceilings, walls,... Best utilized in a dry climate or under a large roof, as mold can be an issue with any moisture exposure. Straw clay is suitable for Interior and Exterior walls, exterior walls are generally between 8” and 12” thick, interior partitions can be as thin as 2”. Even the lightest mixes have an insulation value of R comparable to straw bales, between R-1.5 to R-2 per inch of thickness. Density is up to the builder, the clay mixture and insulation techniques utilized.

Basic Common Examples of Slip and Chip Techniques ~

A prime example of how common techniques are transformed when utilized sustainably; due to geographic area, cost or lack availability... This German Technique seems to be based on the information above, only changed slightly to accommodate either a lack of straw in the area or a ready supply of wood chips or shavings for those in more wooded areas.

The wood chips or shavings are coated in slip and stuffed into cavities, spaces, and/or permanent frames of lattice, lath, thin wooden strips, branches, cane, bamboo, reed,... Due to it not being as stable or it's being a weaker mixture than other infill methods, like the one above. One drawback is it does not have the same insulation qualities or value as the straw; yet, it is more acoustical where sound is concerned and that could be a big plus, depending on your purpose. One could always use a mixture of both, straw and chips, if cost or a shortage of one other the other is an issue. Then again, there is always Hemp.

The lattice, lath,... Is then commonly covered or finished out in an earthen mix. Much like it has been done in all of the other common Earthen Construction processes or techniques that we have already discussed. Including the one below.

Basic Common Examples of Wattle-and-Daub Techniques ~

Very similar to the more modern technique of lath and plaster, in which a series of nailed wooden strips are covered with plaster smoothed into a flat surface. Another technique which has been over taken by industry and machinery - drywall, plasterboard or sheet-rock in recent years in many regions.

A composite building material used for making walls, that is becoming popular again in more developed areas as a low-impact sustainable building technique. Wattle-and-daub is made up of a woven lattice of wooden or bamboo strips called wattle that is daubed with a sticky material usually made of some combination of wet soil, clay, sand, hair, animal dung and straw or a basic Cobb mixture historically. This technique has been used for over 6000 years on every continent around the globe and could possibly account for the majority of buildings.

Though as we have seen walls can be left uncovered and breathable and if done right, they are beautiful left unfinished depending on the use of the wall or structure. This unfinished technique has been utilized for fences, possibly, even before it had been used for shelters. Also see Quincha Construction.

Wattle-and-daub is best utilized in mild climates on unheated structures or homes. Not recommended for exterior walls of heated homes or structures. Though can be utilized on the interior of any structure.

Return > 1 , Continued > 3 , 4 , 5

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