I just came accross this site and thought the folks here would be interested in this system:
http://www.terrabuilt.com/ (http://www.terrabuilt.com/)
Cool idea, but I'd like to see how it stands up to rain and what the R-value of the walls would be.
-- Pritch
yeah... it's a really cool idea... talk about a cost saver. I can see buying one of these like a portable sawmill and going around to places...
It is a basic rammed earth machine. People have been doing this with forms and air compressors. I think a few people here build like that. The question is, how much does it cost?
Quote from: Pritch on January 30, 2009, 04:18:47 AM
Cool idea, but I'd like to see how it stands up to rain and what the R-value of the walls would be.
-- Pritch
There is very little to no R-value. Because it is so compressed it does not have the air trapped in it like normal soil. It is similar to a rock or concrete block wall. As far as rain goes, I heard rammed earth stands up well. With a little bit of cement, I heard of people using them as retaining walls.
You would want a good soil mix for best results and about 5 to 7 % portland cement based on testing to see what makes the bricks stay together - it will stabilize it. Asphalt emulsion could likely work too.
Rule of thumb - 30% clay 70% sand and aggregate including any aggregate already in the clay - similar req's for all soil building ideally - short straw could likely help reinforce things also. If kept reasonably dry it will last for hundreds of years.
Wouldn't do to build on a flood plain, then?
rofl rofl
It would be nice for basement walls if it fould withstand the moisture of direct contact with the earth and support the structure. ESPECIALLY if you could use the dirt you were excavating!
-- Pritch
Anasazi were partial to a cave in the side of a mountain -- flood plains seemed to be for farmmng on - :)
They actually had a pretty advanced irrigation system in the Verde Valley - maybe they left after they actually got a flood? hmm
Quote from: Pritch on January 30, 2009, 10:58:54 PM
It would be nice for basement walls if it fould withstand the moisture of direct contact with the earth and support the structure. ESPECIALLY if you could use the dirt you were excavating!
-- Pritch
We do a bit of that here - the back steps were made from the earth as I excavated it - the front porch conversation pit area was made from previously excavated earth and the RV garage foundation was made of rammed earth from the same excavation.
(https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/glennkangiser/8f50scd.jpg)