Re: [strawbale] Progress and questions

[Harald und Margit Wedig <avantgarden@wxs...>]

Meszaros Attila wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> Strawbuildings are growing like mushrooms in Hungary. Two weeks ago I had
> reported 2 buildings in progress plus 1 in plan and 1 in dream phase.
> Now we have 3 in progress, 3 with nearly finished plans and 1 in dream
> phase. And now we have two proto-companies involved in straw-building.
> In the next 4 weeks we will hold 3 lectures, 2 of them in summer festivals
> with small demo structures...
> 
> While I was designing the 2 smallest one and consulting for a larger
> structure I was faced some questions:
> 
>         * How do one crosses a chimney and a strawbale wall or a strawbale
>           insulated ceiling or roof. According to the hungarian regulation
>           no flammable material (wood eg.) can be placed closer then 12 cm
>           to the surface of the chimney. Does mineral fiber work?
> 
>         * Does anyone know a machine (or idea of a machine) capable of
>           applying earth based plasters on the straw wall beside the human
>           hand?

Hello Attila,
There ist a german company building trailer based machines ( among
others) for this purpose:
Putzmeister AG.
These machines are expensive and they only make sense if you plan to do
clay plastering professionally. They have an exellent performance,
though.
The clay plaster penetrates the bales easily as deep as 4-5cm, that
means you get a perfect connection.
The machine mixes, pumps and throws the plaster at the same time.
 Oh yes, if you want to avoid mineral fiber around the chimmney,
"Leichtlehm" could be an alternative.
Harald