Re: "Bale-block" system: vertically-augered holes filled with concrete? Ideas?

[John Swearingen <john@skillful-means.com>]

Rick Green and I tossed this idea around quite a bit a couple of years ago,
and I rejected it as not producing sufficient strength in the columns for
most of what we do; but Rick built a building near Oregon House, California
(that's a place), which was sucessful.  The bales were drilled singly and
then lifted into place.  Labor costs were thus a significant factor.  We
talked about making a giant drill bit/hole cutter from a section of bandsaw
blade.

John



At 11:43 AM 1/27/00 +0200, Peter Webber wrote:
>    Thanks to everyone who helped me with my  bale-storage questions.   ""
>system.   " holes  down into your walls, slipping in some rebar and pouring
>in  concrete.   But I cannot find any further info. Does anyone  know: How
>far apart you drill? Who has done this? Whether you drill the whole wall
>height at once  or bale by bale? How you anchor the vertical rebar to the
>base  slab?   On the face of it, it seems a fantastically  cheap way of
>creating a load-bearing framework. Each column would cost about $3  in
>concrete and rebar (work it out...) and assuming 1 column per bale length,
>a  mid-sized SB house could be done for $150. No formwork costs, as the
>bales do it  for you. The upper horizontal beam could be poured straight
>onto the top layer  of bales (with minimal formwork...)   " diameter every
>3 feet or so, the cost would still be around $500 total  in concrete and
>rebar. Embedding the (slightly over wall height) rebar in the  base slab
>and threading accurately pre-augered bales over it would seem a  possible
>route.   I had a static analysis done on the idea and it  exceeds the local
>code requirements for seismic resistance. Of course, there  would be some
>slight loss of insulation, but in comparison to conventional  (concrete or
>timber) post-and-beam, the costs are much better than halved, the  post and
>beam structure is made to fit, and bond to, the bales rather than the 
>bales being squeezed into an existing structure. You wouldn't need rebar
>pins  either. Intuitively I visualize the system as having great 
>stability.   These are just thoughts. Any other thoughts on  this subject
>or relevant experience out there?   Thanks to all Peter Who is attempting
>to embark on the first fully-approved SB  house in Greece (of all places!) 
>       
John Swearingen
Skillful Means--Architecture and Construction

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