N Kofod

Thank you for all the replies! they have been very helpfull and informative. Ill post again when ive done some of your recommended tests.

and yes, I have had some doubts about a cob building in this climate.
I even spoke with an arkitekt who has been doing natural buildings since the 70'es. He sad that even cordwood is too badly insulative for this climate.
im gonna meet him tomorrow and discuss more, and show him sampels of my soil.

I really like clay.

Because its technically easy , almost all can do it. my carpentryskills are very limited.
A log cabin is the clasical/logical choise around here. but demands more skilfull labour.

Do any of you have suggestions for other teknices?

strawbales seems to need a timberframe, thus also demanding skills.

Thank you!

Ok, thank you!

Hi!

im experimenting to find the best mix for making cob with the clay-earth we have here on Swedens westcoast. The testchunks Ive done all have the same mistake on them. When I rub the surface with my fingers, dust comes off. And the corners crumble with pressure from my fingers.
I got the impression that good cob is rockhard when dry and unabel to crumbel except under big force (e.g. sledgehammer)
Is that true?

how crumbleproof should cob be?

Ill be very gratefull for any advice!
I dont know anybody else working with cob, so you guys are my only guidience

Thank you!

the advantage of firebricks (in my country atleast) are that they swell and shrienk less when exposed to heat, and they can endure higher temperatures than other bricks.
maybe your clay happens to have those qualities.

Hi

Im experiementing with the clayish soil under my feet to see if i can build with it. Ive been doing test 'bricks' of Cob to find out the best ratio of soil/sand/straw

since its cold and wet outside I have the bricks inside for drying. inside temperature is around 15 degre celsius.

all the bricks with straw in them now has mold on the straw. It is 5 days since I made these test cob bricks.

Any tips or troubleshooting?
did I mix the cob too wet or is indoor humidity + heat just good moldconditions?
I took the straw directly from the storage next too the sheep so it shouldnt be moist. but that is a very airy storage. it has roof and walls so it doesnt rain on the straw but it is in no way airtight.

I will appreciate any tips or troubleshooting