Hi all,
I’m wondering if anyone has experience building a rubble trench foundation with an earth bag stem wall and then building load bearing strawbale on top? I’ve found one example online where an earth bag stem wall was used but it wasn’t for load bearing.
Any thoughts on using this technique? Things to consider? Does anyone have any links to projects that have done this?
Can you give us a drawing please?
There is no reason from an Engineering point of view that those plans will be a problem.
The stem wall will need to be wider than the strawbales so they sit on and not hang over the wall.
Also when the bales are finished with plaster there will be an edge to work to.
Thanks John. I don’t have any specifics on the dimensions of bales I will be getting so I’m not sure how wide the trench or earth bags will need to be. This is a rough idea of what I am thinking. I’m not sure if I will need to attach the sill/curb to the earth bags in some way (rebar? I worry that would wick water into the bales...) or if it will just be held down by the compression of the walls. Thoughts?
Thanks for those images John, much appreciate it. Do you happen to know where you got that 2nd image.. would be interested in reading more about this. First time I have seen earth bag used with strawbale.
Hi does anyone live in the georgia mountains - blue ridge blairsville area and able to help start a build on a tiny home. My son is there and struggling to do the work himself. He has been clearing the trees. He has been wanting to do a cob or straw bale home. Even pallets for structure and deck.
Alex, I have not met people who have not had difficulty with plastering.
Its arduous work.
I think the spray units are an idea tool to use in these cases, to get the plaster to go in deep amongst the straw fibres.