[GSBN] Control joints (was Re: Lime plaster and expansion joints)

[Athena & Bill Steen]

John,
Just an idea that might result in a little work for you.  How about  
you put together a couple of images in an email and send it out to  
those on this iist that are interested and request a copy?  That way  
we can either admire your creativity and intelligent design or really  
take it to you for......well you know what. Put me on the list.

Bill
On Feb 10, 2009, at 6:51 PM, John Glassford wrote:

> G ' day
>
> Just an idea.  What we are doing is this; with houses anyhow.  We  
> are using a hybrid method combining the bales and the window and  
> door frames to support the roof.  The frames usually 250mm x 50mm go  
> the full height of the wall and after compression; done by all  
> thread in pairs every 1.8 metres; these frames are then locked into  
> the top plate.
>
> Thus we have a perfect expansion joint wherever windows and doors  
> are located.  We then render to the frames and cover the edge with  
> skirts or architraves.  The wall is now protected for water  
> penetration even if the render has a crack where it joins the  
> timber.  We find that using this method we have not experienced any  
> cracking on the vertical.
>
> With walls with no windows and doors over 3 metres long you would  
> expect cracks in cement renders and our experience is such.  We do  
> not get any cracking in earthen renders with plenty of straw or  
> chaff.  However these earthen renders are not easy to apply with a  
> pump.  So for commercial buildings and the like we use lime and sand  
> which we pump on.  We then apply a fibre mesh to the second coat and  
> to date zero cracking even in walls 24 metres long and 5.4 m high.
>
> I will post some photos to the web site below one day soon.
>
> Kind regards
> The Straw Wolf
> Huff 'n' Puff Constructions
> http://www.glassford.com.au
> 61 2 6927 6027
> In Australia (02) 6927 6027
>
> The Orphan Rescue Kit Africa
> http://theork.com
>
> Mountains of the Moon 2010
> http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org
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Athena & Bill Steen
The Canelo Project
HC1 Box 324
Canelo/Elgin, AZ 85611
absteen at dakotacom.net
www.caneloproject.com