Topic: Structural Engineering Mojo in the house? (Read 3275 times)

Joe Sixpack · « **on:** August 27, 2009, 09:37:25 AM »

I am looking to put up an outbuilding on my property, on the cheap. Initially I intended to build it out of cob, but I don't have the clay for it onsite. So what I came up with is to build 1' x 1' by 1' cubes of welded wire mesh (leftover fencing) and pack them with stones, which I do have in plenty, and stack those into my walls. I intially built a 1' x 1' by 2' block, but it had too much bulge for my tastes. The 1' x 1' x 1' is perfect so far. The building will by cylindrical shaped (a spiral actually

), and the wall will be about 4' high for the most part, and support no weight other than itself. There will also be periodic beams on the inside and the outside for lateral support, as well as to hold up the roof (~8' at the lowest point.) Also, the bottom of the wall will rest on a concrete footing. The stacked blocks will all be tied together.
So my question - does anyone see any obvious safety concerns here? Is there a reason I have never seen this done before (I have seen it in landscaping, but not used for structures. I am hoping that is because of the labor involved)? I'm not worried about insulation or anything like that.

Here's to Joe not being crushed to death by his own shoddy craftsmanship.

phyre · « **Reply #1 on:** August 27, 2009, 09:51:15 AM »

Dude, no clue. I'd have to see a picture of what you're talking about before I could even register a real opinion- it sounds a little unstable, but i guess if it's put together in a certain way it's okay?

Also, your signature quote from Clutch made me LOL. Not a lot of people know what 10001110101 comes from.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:04:39 AM »

What Phyre said. Can't be sure of the structural strengths of that because I'm having a hard time visualizing what you're doing, though I am intrigued.

BizB · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:08:35 AM »

A gabion wall? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabion

I see no problem with it.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:14:57 AM »

Nope, if that's what you're doing, it should work great, provided that the wire mesh fencing you're using isn't too weak. What's the gauge of the fencing?

Socrates · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:19:47 AM »

Other than the fact that I've never seen something like that supporting weight on top I think you'll be fine.

You may want to have a frame supporting the roof, and keeping the blocks square plus you could tie to the frame as well as each other.

Of course I did get a 'D' in the one static forces class I took in 1994 so...

Joe Sixpack · « **Reply #6 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:26:34 AM »

Cool, there is a name for it. That pic on the lower left is what I'm talking about. The wire is probably about 10 gauge, I haven't checked.
I'll put together a picture, thanks for the help.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:29:44 AM »

Gabion walls are also excellent at dissipating focused force... so if you're using it in preparation for a seige, it should be very effective at deflecting things like battering rams and artillery strikes.

Min · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:35:32 AM »

Are you building a place to store your offspring while you mow the lawn? Make sure it has shade, if that's the case. If you're looking to store baby vampires whle you mow the lawn, make sure it doesn't have shade.

Joe Sixpack · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:38:39 AM »

I am looking for a place to store myself while *they* mow the lawn. So of course it will have shade.
I tried attaching a miniwaankerbot-worthy drawing but it said upload folder is full.

Joe Sixpack · « **Reply #10 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:40:55 AM »

Quote from: Demosthenes on August 27, 2009, 10:29:44 AM

Gabion walls are also excellent at dissipating focused force... so if you're using it in preparation for a seige, it should be very effective at deflecting things like battering rams and artillery strikes.

All I will be deflecting are all the hos tryin ta get in mah hot tub!

Quote

Also, your signature quote from Clutch made me LOL. Not a lot of people know what 10001110101 comes from.

I saw them about 6 months ago with The Sword. Coincidentally, I am going to see The Sword again tomorrow.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #11 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:59:03 AM »

Quote from: Joe Sixpack on August 27, 2009, 10:40:55 AM

All I will be deflecting are all the hos tryin ta get in mah hot tub!

Should also be good in case of a zombie apocalypse.

Quote

I saw them about 6 months ago with The Sword. Coincidentally, I am going to see The Sword again tomorrow.

Fucker.

phyre · « **Reply #12 on:** August 27, 2009, 02:04:24 PM »

Quote from: Joe Sixpack on August 27, 2009, 10:40:55 AM

I saw them about 6 months ago with The Sword. Coincidentally, I am going to see The Sword again tomorrow.

Hate you. The closest they come to Richmond is Philadelphia, which irritates me b/c they're ostensibly from MD. How do you come from a place and not play the state adjacent? I'm not familiar with The Sword, but if they're anywhere near Clutch, I'm sure it was a kickass show.

Joe Sixpack · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2009, 09:37:13 AM »

<--me banging head

As you can see, it was an intimate venue, and we weren't more than 25 ft from the stage.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2009, 09:41:39 AM »

Jealous. That looks like it was an awesome show.

Joe Sixpack · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2009, 09:54:31 AM »

It was. By far the best I've ever been to.
We chatted with the lead guitar player at the t-shirt stand, he was kinda freaked out when I told him about this dude I know in Minnesota who was a big Sword fan. Maybe they will get the picture and visit your 'hood.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2009, 10:24:05 AM »

There's a huge old-school metal fanbase here in MN. Every time Dio or Slayer comes to The Quest in Minneapolis they sell the place out. It's a fun venue in which to see those kinds of bands play.

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Author Topic: Structural Engineering Mojo in the house? (Read 3275 times)