light straw clay dome

Hola Amigos, first post ever. I'm playing with the idea of a light straw clay dome. I've built a dome using straw bales before and I'm starting another. I'm hesitant to do straw bale again because the amount of gaps that need to be filled makes labor pretty crazy. so question is, does anyone know if wrapping the entire metal geodesic dome frame in 12 inches of light straw clay is doable? it will be a covered dome. i've never done straight up light straw clay. not sure if compressive strength is enough even though its not load bearing. thanks

cool

Welcome to Permies Cody!
Are you planing to build a geodesic dome out of struts and cover it with light clay straw?
In that scenario a mesh and/or cloth layer would be almost certainly necessary.
If you use metal mesh, the strength of the clay straw becomes irrelevant.
I would be concerned that the straw of anykind would fair poorly as part of a dome.
As part of a  a wall, straw can be protected by an overhanging impermeable roof and still be coated in a breathable plaster.
As part of  a dome the hay will be wall and roof at the same time.  
How would you finish the exterior
?


T

yes, geodesic dome with metal struts. there will be a full roof over the dome and it will be plastered with lime on the exterior. no concern with moisture.  by mesh layer do you mean directly over the geodesic frame? Id love to figure out a way to make light straw clay work but i  cant find anything on tamping methods for a dome. and yes im not a big advocate for straw bale domes either but they insist on it (that is a natural dome with good r value). any suggestions would be appreciated