[GSBN] SB wall height limit (was Clay plaster language for IBC)

[Bill Christensen]

On 1/26/12 9:35 AM, Derek Roff wrote:
>
> I'm guessing from your words in the second paragraph about mesh and 
> pinning, that the compression straps used by many builders would not 
> be sufficient.  If so, it sounds like the proposed code will still ban 
> two-string bales on edge, as practiced by some of our more experienced 
> builders, that is, 8'-9' tall walls without mesh or pinning.  Internal 
> pinning, as commonly practiced, and endorsed in the early writings of 
> the SB revival, is of dubious structural value.  I'm surprised that it 
> has the endorsement of the engineers involved with this proposal.  But 
> maybe the internal pinning that you mention has different 
> requirements.  I would be interested is seeing the specifications for 
> the endorsed pinning options.
>

It seems to me that a method of horizontal pinning of edge-laid bales 
could be developed which would satisfy the enginoids and coders and 
allow for greater height in edge-laid bale walls.

I've seen some folks use pieces of stock panel (very heavy gauge welded 
wire fencing with about 4" between wires) horizontally between courses 
in tall flat-laid walls to stiffen them while building instead of using 
pins.  I'm not a big fan of that for the same reasons we don't encourage 
rebar or straw-wrapped steel columns - potential for condensation and 
for heat transmission.

But what if one were to use bamboo or similar stiff cellulosic material 
running lengthwise between courses, tied to or through the bales?  
Depending upon how you tie them off I suspect you could cinch them into 
the bales, much in the way you pull bamboo into bales laid flat when 
doing external pinning.