How can pumice or mixed pumice and earth be stabilized without large cement coverings or lots of wood?
This is where the earthbags come in very handy, because they can hold the loose pumice in place, and then a thin earthen plaster can be used to protect the bag material. It is possible to make pumicecrete that will support itself, but this does use cement. Q: Earthbags, like other masonry, fits into the dry tropical areas as an excellent climate responsive material to create indoor comfort without artificial temperature controls. The humid tropics have other constraints. I am a volunteer designer working on training centers for national literacy workers and translators with Wycliffe Associates. Many of our projects are in the humid tropics. Termites often find ways through floors to devour wood structures in walls. Walls need to hold little heat to prevent condensation between night and day temperatures in the very high humidity. Insulation to keep out high daytime temperatures is a plus. A: Very thick earthen or masonry walls will work in some hot, humid climates (if they aren’t too h
Related Questions
- Is there a proportion of earth to pumice that allows earthbag construction without additional wood, steel, or bamboo reinforcement? What specific heat and thermal conductivity would this mix have?
- When building an earth sheltered home, why is a concrete structure recommended as opposed to a wood structure as offered by some competition?
- How can pumice or mixed pumice and earth be stabilized without large cement coverings or lots of wood?
