Re: SB: Stucco on nude bales

["Robert W. Tom" <archilogic@yahoo.ca>]

2/15/02 11:55:11 PM, "Dane S. Judd" <dsjudd@entelchile.net> wrote:

>   I saw the recent reply that wire mesh is not necessary under earth
>   plaster.  Is there any recent evidence - anecdotal or technical- about the
>   performance of cement stucco without wire mesh?
>
>   Exploring options here since the stucco part is coming on quickly.

>   Dane
>   sunburned to a crisp in Valaparaíso, Chile

Dane;

Put on some clothes and wear a hat. PLEASE !!

Portland cement stucco without any properly-embedded wire mesh 
reinforcement will be stucco without any temperature and shrinkage 
(T&S) reinforcement provided.

T&S reinforcement functions to hold the cementitious material together 
after cracking due to thermal stresses and shrinkage has occurred and 
those cracks *will* occur at intervals of 100 to 150 sq feet or less unless 
control  joints have been provided.

Wire mesh might be eliminated if fibre admixtures are used within the 
stucco mix for the scratch and brown coats but the fibres will not likely 
do much to provide protection from cracking due to live loads like 
earthquakes, wind, drunken  Ozzies in Jeeps etc.

If you are stuccoing in hot weather, I would strongly recommend 
planning the  job so as to avoid direct sun on the portions being 
plastered.  ie Do the west side in the morning when the sun is in 
the east.   

I would also strongly recommend that you tarp off the area
being plastered so that the wall and plasterers are in shade and then
covering the wet plaster with wetted burlap or well-fitted poly sheet
as soon as possible to retain moisture in the plaster to (1) ensure
full hydration of the cement and (2) to avoid shrinkage cracking from
too rapid moisture loss.  Hosing down the plaster is an iffy 
proposition at best and a waste of water and time and at worst, can 
wash the cement out of the mix and get water into the straw.

I don't know what more can be said other than "Eat your wheaties"
because you're in for a good workout.

--- * ---
Rob Tom
Kanata, Ontario, Canada
<ArchiLogic@yahoochaff.ca>
(winnow the "chaff" spamguard from my edress in your reply)

Please visit http://www.theHungerSite.com daily



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