Re: SB: Re: Vault in the desert -- was pinning

[Kirk Haines <khaines@Io.NANC.com>]

On Mon, 29 Oct 2001, John Swearingen wrote:

> I wouldn't try this outside of a desert environment, where it might rain
> continuously for a few days.  In those cases, a little roof above the vault
> might be more appropriate.

No, here's the question:  What comprises a desert environment?  I've been
playing in my head with the idea of a vault designed _very_ similarly to
the vault that you had a hand in.  The construction area gets just under
16" of precipitation each year, with about 1/3rd of that falling as snow
and the rest falling as rain, most in the form of afternoon downpours
during the hot (temps in the 90s to low 100s) summer months.  The average
atmospheric humidity is usually low.  However, there is an occasional year
where, usually around April or May, we can get drizzles that go on for a
few days.

What I have struggled with is whether our level of precipitation is low
enough that I could safely depend on a well maintained plaster layer with
some sort of coating like what you describe to protect the straw from
getting too damp.  The alternative, placing a roof structure on top of the
vault, poses its own set of problems requiring solutions.  How does one
attach the roof structure in a secure way so that high winds don't send
pieces flying over the hill?


Kirk Haines



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, send a message to:
   <strawbale-unsubscribe@crest.org>

or for the digest to:
   <strawbale-digest-unsubscribe@crest.org>

Please send any list administration questions to
strawbale-owner@crest.org