I found a copy of the IRC, current 2012 code, and I have been reading to make sure that what I am going to do is correct and strong.
I will have a poured foundation trench. On top of that I will have a cinder block wall using 8 inch wide blocks up to 6 feet high. There will be a 5 foot unbalanced back fill of dirt. The dirt is sandy clay for the first three feet and sandy loam the rest of the way up. In this configuration, I will not need to fill the blocks or use any other strengthening methods.
Did I read it correct or am I missing something.
See my sig line for pictures on the hole I am building in.
I find this version of the IRC (http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/index.htm) easier to navigate
I didn't review the plan yet; on the way out the door. Later...
squirl's tutorial is pretty damn good:
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=12374.0