[Strawbale] corner detail problem

[Rob Tom]

On Sun, 02 Jul 2006 18:48:31 -0400, Andrew Webb <design at thegreenwebb.com>  
wrote:

> Is it enough to just fill in the gaps with biscuits sewn through to the  
> bales, and wrap the
> corner with mesh?  I'm concerned that this solution is placing too much
> reliance on the wires/twine to hold the biscuits in place and that it
> could sag & crack the render over time.

> Or, bite the bullet and widen out one wall or the other (and adjust the
> floor bearer detail - not yet built) so the column is aligned with the
> inside of one of the walls and so only cut into one wall of bales?

Andrew;

I don't know what has transpired in this thread so far because the REPP  
List archives are inaccessible but ...

I think that it would be possible to devise a procedure whereby the bales  
are re-tied, notched for the corner posts, notch filled and then the whole  
schmozzle wrapped in mesh but I think that it'd be a lot of futzing to  
accommodate a faulty layout has many other inherent problems so would be a  
poor investment of time/energy/materials.

Nor would I bother with switching from steel to wood columns or setting  
the columns off-plumb introducing a whole new set of potential problems to  
deal with.

I think that the simplest and probably most effective solution would be to  
extend the joists another ~190mm or so to place the columns at the inside  
face of the bales. The additional cantilever shouldn't be a challenge to  
deal with and the additional interior space would probably be appreciated  
by the homeowner.



=== * ===
Rob Tom
Kanata, Ontario, Canada
<ArchiLogic at chaffyahoo dot ca>
(winnow the chaff  from my edress in your reply)

Please visit   http://www.mercycorps.org/