[Strawbale] re re Sask. foundations

[paul sheraton]

I really like the method of using some type of pourous material as a trench 
fill onto which the footings can be laid. Sea shells are a great idea, or 
gravel though this wont provide as much insulation. Another good material is 
igneous rock, golfball size pieces of pourous volcanic rock are great for 
drainage, some insulation properties, and can be very cheap if you can 
source  a local supply as its often the transport which costs the most.

The rubble/gravel can also be put within the area of the trench itself, 
though not as deep and the internal flor laid or floated over it again 
providing drainage and insulation. Prehaps its a good idea if some form of 
airation is provided, a lime concrete slab can then be poured ontop as a 
floor base.

What if I were to dig over size post holes to place wooden post around which 
can be poured a pourous material?



>From: "Michael lough" <michaelklough at sympatico...>
>Reply-To: mkl18 at pobox...,        European strawbale building 
>discussions<strawbale at amper....muni.cz>
>To: strawbale at amper....muni.cz
>Subject: [Strawbale] re re Sask. foundations
>Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 16:21:06 +0000
>
>
>
>
>
>Donald said
>
>
>++I think you said at the start that rammed tyres were out due to
>leaching etc.
>
>I think you may be mistaking me for Mark (Bigland-Pritchard)? A
>flattering mistake however.
>
>
>I do recall however that Mark did outrule the use of tires on the
>basis you refer to and I respect his judgment on this.
>
>It is likely that there is some reaction between  slightly acidic
>rainwater and the tire material? If this produces a petro chemical
>"soup" which then descends into an aquifer then we have to say that
>over time it will not be good? The use of used tires is seen in
>industrialised countries as a good thing as it turns a non
>biodegradable item into a useful item. This may be true if the tires
>are used in an above ground situation and are not exposed to UV or
>moisture but I would say that it would not be a good idea to use
>used tires if they are to be in contact with rain water which then
>goes into the ground after washing off the surface of the tires. On
>the other hand perhaps they could be coated first?
>
>Perhaps in view of the number of tires produced annually it is
>understood that one may as well use them in the ground as it makes
>little difference to the environment any way at this point?
>Certainly as we consider that oil tar or other bituminous material
>starts off in the ground? I would think it might be site specific?
>
>I would be less worried if the tires were to be used in a desert
>with little rainfall and moist air evaporated quickly. Still not
>perfect but perhaps leaving the tires in a large dump to catch fire
>occasonally is less ideal? I am not sure of the state of the art in
>used tire recycling but I think I have seen a few tire "mountains"
>still.
>
>
>
>
>++I have *never* seen any data on this issue - but I'd like to as I
>intuitively feel there has to be outgassing or something from tyres.
>
>The fact that we have never seen any data does not mean it does not
>exist? It may be that tires off gas. I can tell you that I have
>heard that earth "ship" owners that have used tires under plaster in
>wall systems  with earth berming have reported that in high Summer
>you can smell them.
>
>
>++FWIW, I'm building a 7m x 5m sb (looking to plaster in a few
>weeks). The foundations are rammed tyres with railway sleepers on
>top. There is a LOT of work in ramming those tyres...
>
>I cant imagine ramming a three bedroomed earth ships worth?  ;^)
>
>
>Not sure where you are but railway sleepers (wooden?) and/or old
>telelegraph poles in Canada are pretty dangerous things to use
>environmentally speaking. They are I believe soaked in a creosote
>mix and the older ones used arsenic in the mix I think as well, like
>pressure treated  (PT) wood used to here.
>
>
>++don't underestimate that. If I were to do again, I'd be looking
>around for alternatives.
>
>The most ecologically sound method would employ only natural locally
>available materials for a foundation. This might include rocks or gravel or 
>sea
>shells as a drainage channel. On top of this would be a short wall
>which would support the perimeter which would support the walls
>above. Any deviation from this is a compromise.
>
>If we are not perfect then it is a question of the degree of our
>imperfection? I do not believe that nature has ever produced natural
>insulation for under floor use as good as some man made products. Its
>a trade off?
>
>Concrete posts or quarried marble columns supporting a sustainably 
>harvested wooden
>"living box" with underfloor straw bales as insulation could be the
>answer?  The quarry would have to use a solar powered diamond saw
>though…
>
>
>
>best
>
>Michael Lough
>
>
>
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