[Strawbale] 2x2" galvanized welded wire mesh for SB house

[David Neeley]

Andrew et al.,

Personally, I am far more fond of load-bearing design than bale
infill. However, outside of seismic zones shouldn't the frame itself
be designed for adequate sheer strength?

I have also been reading and speaking with many people over the last
few years about stucco, and the consensus seems to be that cement
stuccos can be troublesome far beyond their worth. Has this been your
experience? I am always interested in differing opinions on topics
such as this.

At present, I am planning to build a load-bearing house with earthen
stucco and with a surface coat of lime stucco for durability and
somewhat increased weather resistance. If I were in a very rainy
climate, I might consider a non-load-bearing design, but other than
that I can't see that it gives any major advantages. I realize others
differ on this one, though. It simply seems to me that the
load-bearing designs are somewhat more elegant and are potentially
more conserving of lumber.

David

On 10/11/07, Andrew Morrison <andrew at strawbale.com> wrote:
> Dion,
>         I believe in this case, the mesh is the lateral shear support for
> the engineering of the structure.  The mesh is used in place of any shear
> straps, etc.  In addition, if you use a cement based stucco, you are
> required to use mesh of some kind.  Only earth and lime plasters (with no
> cement at all) are allowed to be placed directly on the bales.  I am not
> sure if she is using a cement based stucco or not, but that is another case
> where it would be necessary to use mesh.