posted 15 years ago
Ok.
Having thought about it, a profoundly curved/circular pole structure wall would resist horizontal forces quite well if properly braced high in the structure.
If you think about the the prevalence of arches in the massive structures of religious architecture you will start to understand the awesomeness of the curve.
Lay that bad boy on its side and just watch it resist horizontal forces.
Flat surfaces (for example flat roofs) cannot withstand heavy loads in their centre without supporting beams, the same can be said for flat walls loaded horizontally.
Hence the curvature.
You should really think of a properly built earthbag structure as monolithic rammed earth, rather than bags of loose dirt. Arch that baby up, and check the awesome that it brings. (It's one of the real advantages of earthbag over other mediums.)
Cement tends to draw in and hold moisture, which is bad news for earth sheltered structures, and Concrete is also a great medium for mould to grow in. I'd personally try to find an acceptable alternative before using cement.
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