[Strawbale] Concrete Base - foundations question??

[Cummings, Simon]

Stuart,

Thanks for this information.  I think I'm getting closer to my answer.
Trying to explain in words exactly what you are trying to achieve is not
a simple as a diagram.  

So would this sound right?

1. Lay a concrete/limecrete foundation xx.xx mm deep.
2. Lay a course or two of blocks with at least a 100mm cavity between
the blocks (rising quite a bit higher than the base!).
3. Lay timber frame on top of blocks (point 2.) for SB to be placed
upon.
4. Place SB on frame and away we go

Cheers

Simon.

-----Original Message-----
From: strawbale-bounces at amper....muni.cz
[mailto:strawbale-bounces at amper....muni.cz] On Behalf Of
Stewart at tshargrave....uk
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 1:48 PM
To: European strawbale building discussions
Subject: Re: [Strawbale] Concrete Base - foundations question??

On 2 Apr 2007 at 14:59, Cummings, Simon wrote:

Simon,

To actually try and answer your question...

In my experience, nearly all SB buildings have some sort of foundation
plate that the 
straw bales are built upon. That is to say, a wooden platform, usually
about 100mm 
thick and about as wide as a bale, running all around the edge of the
foundations, and 
anywhere else a SB wall is to be built.

Because of the hollow nature of this plate (it's usually made of
studding sandwiched 
between plywood, or similar), it allows the bottom of the bale a little
ventilation, and even 
drainage, if necessary. It also, importantly, raises the bale above
floor level, so that if 
there is any water spillage it won't soak the bales. On a solid concrete
floor, this will be 
important. Given the intended use of your building, it may even be a
good idea to make 
the plate a little thicker, so that the bottom bale is raised a little
more.

I've also seen a goatshed build upon loose laid concrete blocks (laid
flat, lengthways 
across the foundation, each separated by a couple of inches), though I'm
not sure this is 
ideal.

Environmental consideration are of course important, but I also happen
to thing that 
pragmatism is important. Responsible use of concrete (and steel) can
have a place in 
SB building.


-- 
Stewart H.

____________________________________________________
    European strawbale building discussion list

Send all messages to:
Strawbale at amper....muni.cz

Archives, subscription options, etc:
http://amper.ped.muni.cz/mailman/listinfo/strawbale
____________________________________________________