Some tips for earth bag construction for future enthusiastic.

Hi All,

I would like to share my personal experience on earth bag constructions. I did lot of experiments to come to this better strong structure today.

I would like to suggest some point,

1. Material strength - I tested fly ash in the mixture which gave a super strength of the bag, We mixed that with soil, cement, sand and got good compound in the bag. We gained the hardness in 4-5 days. We also used fly ash and white clay for plaster and it gave superb result.

2 - Bags - I was unable to get the CalEarth earth bags, so I researched to get some ways for it. Incidentally i found out PLASTIC COATED bags from local industry. We bought the bag rolls as they were needed with times. The plastic coated bags are more stronger with water repellent capacity, thus making the durability of the structure more better.

3 - Bag pressing - Bag pressing is the most important thing to be done, the more compressed bags are, the stability is better.

4 - Plaster - I tested gypsum plus water proofing liquid, I found it clean and better then sprays.

5 - Eco Cooler (See in posted images or google)  - I read out about eco cooler, and we made it by self. We found out its amazing to add it to windows.

6 - Furniture and landscaping - Yes, We made most things from earth bags only, thus making this project as pure earth bag construction.

Future concepts -

We are looking to make Wind catcher to lower down temperature as well as wind turbine for ventilation.

We are also working on Solar energy system from a DIY concept.

We have read about eco fridge that runs on zero electricity, and we are looking forward to make this all things practically feasible soon. Here are some glimpse of it.

Please do let me know feed backs and ideas as well as If I can suggest something.

Where are you building?

Randje Mitchell wrote:Where are you building?

Hello Randije

We are building this in Nagpur city which is located in central India.

Here is the updated photos and tour video (https://youtu.be/MFVPPcbJiws)  we shot 2 days back.

Thanks for the tips! I will be working with sand bags to finish off my in ground green house. Your structures are great!

jim hughes wrote:Thanks for the tips! I will be working with sand bags to finish off my in ground green house. Your structures are great!

Hello Jim,

All the best, do keep posted about your project .

Here is the current update with application of gypsum plaster.