Quick question, when you move the form to the next section of wall to be rammed, how is the end of the form toward the previous section of wall secured? Do you still use the pipe clamps and just pull them out of the wall after it dries? Thanks
@MonkeySpecs301 I have a corner form and a straight form. The straight form looks the same as you'd see people using to pour concrete. The walers are wider of course.
Always ram the corners first (or alternate straight walls first); then, use your straight wall form to bridge between. The plywood is oriented longwise or widthwise depending on the span. The ends of the straight form overlap with the wall already rammed. The already rammed walls will have keyways
- I used pvc plastic pipe (sewer pipe) split longwise. I placed them in before I rammed the corner and removed them after I removed the form. This provided a concave space for the straight walls' dirt to be compacted. This locks them together along with the concrete bond beam poured around the top of the walls when all walls are rammed.
So yes to pipe clamps.The straight wall is made up of plywood on each side of the intended wall with holes for the pipe to pass through.
@ShaggyDudeMan it really depends on the soil. But most of the mix (not less than 70%) is going to be sand. If you have a quarry around, ask about their "fines". You'll probably find it works. You could try digging down below your topsoil and testing to see how that mineral soil stands up. Cob uses more clay than rammed earth; maybe try that...
@Research0digo the soil is wet enough to lubricate the particles; that's quite dry. The soil should only be wet enough that when you use one hand to make a ball and then drop from waist high it bursts into smaller bits (slightly larger than individual grain size).
I have done neither and it has survived unscathed for several years now. I DID put lime wash on the inside.
I took a class in California with David Easton and I know he never did either.
An adobe class I took in San Antonio even warned against stuccoing - at least with cement based stucco. The cement based stucco expands and contracts at different rates so it's harder to keep it adhered (without affixing poultry wire). Additionally, the stucco does not allow the walls to breathe.
Thanks for the reply. I have a boat load of questions.
What about insulation? I would think with 16"+ of earth wall one wouldn't need to worry about insulating the walls just the roof, but I have seen some videos where the builder used insulation on a rammed earth home.
Rammed earth is not a good insulator; however, the thermal mass provides a thermal flywheel effect. The temperature on the inside is the average of highs and lows. So insulation would be necessary (here in Texas summer highs are 108 F with lows around 85 giving an average temperature of *hot*.
Also note that no one builds a house with 16 inch walls, the minimum is 18 with any increase over 24 inches not contributing to a better thermal effect. I'd build with 24 inch walls!
"daddy look!" hehe you're so lucky. wish i was a father
vutEwa 3 months ago
Quick question, when you move the form to the next section of wall to be rammed, how is the end of the form toward the previous section of wall secured? Do you still use the pipe clamps and just pull them out of the wall after it dries? Thanks
MonkeySpecs301 8 months ago
@MonkeySpecs301 I have a corner form and a straight form. The straight form looks the same as you'd see people using to pour concrete. The walers are wider of course.
Always ram the corners first (or alternate straight walls first); then, use your straight wall form to bridge between. The plywood is oriented longwise or widthwise depending on the span. The ends of the straight form overlap with the wall already rammed. The already rammed walls will have keyways
UltraThinGhost 6 months ago
- I used pvc plastic pipe (sewer pipe) split longwise. I placed them in before I rammed the corner and removed them after I removed the form. This provided a concave space for the straight walls' dirt to be compacted. This locks them together along with the concrete bond beam poured around the top of the walls when all walls are rammed.
So yes to pipe clamps.The straight wall is made up of plywood on each side of the intended wall with holes for the pipe to pass through.
UltraThinGhost 6 months ago
Atta boy! Great job.
harrisbrent 1 year ago
nice to see ,you can make your own design on the wall,thanks.
6ap1956wy 1 year ago
What do you think is the maximum clay you can use? I have a lot of clay also and don't want to buy too much sand if I can help it.
ShaggyDudeMan 1 year ago
@ShaggyDudeMan it really depends on the soil. But most of the mix (not less than 70%) is going to be sand. If you have a quarry around, ask about their "fines". You'll probably find it works. You could try digging down below your topsoil and testing to see how that mineral soil stands up. Cob uses more clay than rammed earth; maybe try that...
UltraThinGhost 1 year ago
neat - was your soil really that dry, or is it just hard to tell from the vid, please?
Thanks again!
Research0digo 1 year ago
@Research0digo the soil is wet enough to lubricate the particles; that's quite dry. The soil should only be wet enough that when you use one hand to make a ball and then drop from waist high it bursts into smaller bits (slightly larger than individual grain size).
UltraThinGhost 1 year ago
what to do over doors and windows? vents?
exclamation3mark 1 year ago
best video I have seen yet - on this topic -
you show it all -
and reporting your findings well - good job -
Nice job on the shed - too by te way
I am sure that you have helped somone -
smde1 1 year ago
Do the walls have to be covered with stucco or plaster? I have heard different opinions.
kingmike40 2 years ago
I have done neither and it has survived unscathed for several years now. I DID put lime wash on the inside.
I took a class in California with David Easton and I know he never did either.
An adobe class I took in San Antonio even warned against stuccoing - at least with cement based stucco. The cement based stucco expands and contracts at different rates so it's harder to keep it adhered (without affixing poultry wire). Additionally, the stucco does not allow the walls to breathe.
UltraThinGhost 2 years ago
Thanks for the reply. I have a boat load of questions.
What about insulation? I would think with 16"+ of earth wall one wouldn't need to worry about insulating the walls just the roof, but I have seen some videos where the builder used insulation on a rammed earth home.
kingmike40 2 years ago
Rammed earth is not a good insulator; however, the thermal mass provides a thermal flywheel effect. The temperature on the inside is the average of highs and lows. So insulation would be necessary (here in Texas summer highs are 108 F with lows around 85 giving an average temperature of *hot*.
Also note that no one builds a house with 16 inch walls, the minimum is 18 with any increase over 24 inches not contributing to a better thermal effect. I'd build with 24 inch walls!
UltraThinGhost 2 years ago