[Greenbuilding] Light Clay Walls

[Michael O'Brien]

Hi, all--

I uploaded a few photos of a light-clay house in Corbett, Oregon.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeobrienpdx/5100607299/

Best,

Mike
On Oct 20, 2010, at 8:30 AM, JOHN SALMEN wrote:

> It can be accepted in bc under section 5 of the code. "is not required where
> it can be shown that uncontrolled vapour diffusion will not adversely affect
> any of ...'health,use,operation'"
> 
> As this does not form part of section 9 a building inspector would normally
> and reasonably require some LOA (letter of assurance)to hang their hat on -
> in the form of a schedule D form (building envelope design review and field
> review) which specifically limits the work to a registered architect or
> engineer with a practice/experience or education focused in that work.
> 
> Air barriers are also defined in section 5 as a leakage rate not greater
> than basically a sheet of drywall with the option of increasing that rate
> (if it doesn't adversely affect....)
> 
> Now the CVRD has allowed this type of wall/building locally and others have
> been built legally. Kris Dick eng. of building alternatives inc. I think has
> been the lead eng. for these projects but there may be other professionals
> around. 
> 
> Mike, is the claymix being relied upon for lateral bracing as well?
> 
> Best
> john
> 
> 
> JOHN SALMEN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
> 4465 UPHILL RD,. DUNCAN, B.C.  CANADA, V9L 6M7
> PH 250 748 7672 FAX 250 748 7612 CELL 250 246 8541
> terrain at shaw.ca
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org
> [mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Michael
> O'Brien
> Sent: October 19, 2010 9:25 PM
> To: Chris Koehn
> Cc: greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Light Clay Walls
> 
> Hi, Chris--
> 
> I haven't tried the slip form, but the lath is double duty--it acts as a
> form to keep the light clay mix in place while it dries and then as a
> supporting substrate for the clay plaster. It might work to apply the
> plaster directly to the dry light clay but am not sure, haven't actually
> tried that.
> 
> Our code also has a 1 perm vapor retarder, but this is a non-permitted
> building--in Portland, anything 200 SF or less does not need a permit. Great
> for small experiments!
> 
> Our code guys are usually accepting of high mass walls without VRs, as they
> have learned more building science and understand how they work.
> 
> I'll post a couple more photos of such a house tomorrow.
> 
> Best,
> 
> Mike
> 
> On Oct 19, 2010, at 6:50 PM, Chris Koehn wrote:
> 
>> Yes Mike, thanks for the pictures.
>> I was interested to see lathe being used instead of the slip form
> technique I see EcoNest using. Care to comment on the comparison?
>> I'm also keen to learn of folk's experiences with code officials,
> primarily related to breathing walls. Here in BC the code calls for a vapour
> barrier, which is antithetical to this technique as I understand it. 
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> 
>> Chris
>> TimberGuides
>> Van Isle
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> Mike O'Brien Photography
> 1905 N Alberta Street
> Portland, Oregon 97217
> 
> 
> 
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