[Strawbale] corner detail problem

[Andrew Webb]

Rob Tom wrote:
> 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.
My concern with this is that it adds that much extra floor structure, 
flooring, ceiling, roof structure,etc. so cost go up more than the cost 
of futzing around with the corner details; it's a simple rectangular 
house so just 4 problem corners.  If I moved the walls to the outside on 
one side and the inside on the other, the floor area remains the same 
but the roof carpentry is complicated and the appearance would suffer. 

So far on the list I've had one vote for biscuits and mesh, one for 
offsetting columns, one for moving walls and one that would support 
either of the last two options.  I agree that the position of the column 
relative to the bales needs to change.  I think offsetting the upper and 
lower columns is simplest so long as the engineer doesn't want to add in 
some expensive steel beams to compensate, as some are apt to do (this is 
his first SB building). 

Thanks all for your thoughts on this.  I now have some direction to 
discuss with the others.

All the best,
Andrew