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Rasta blocks?

Submitted by parrotheadnica on Sun, 2010/01/10 - 15:03.
0

Does anyone know if these are available in Nica? I've just heard about them and am curious about their availability, earthquake resistance, cost, etc. Also, what about adobe bricks for building a house?

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Probably not worth it here

Submitted by fyl on Sun, 2010/01/10 - 15:17.

I have never heard of them being available here but I believe we discussed the idea of making them in a thread maybe a year ago. Here, meaning in a year-round warm climate, the insulation value is not that important. You generally need to moderate heat and that is easily done with thermal mass.

As for earthquake resistance, it seems that mostly comes from the concrete fill. I haven't read the details but there may be suggestions for fill (including rebar changes) to address this.

There are some old adobe buildings in Nicaragua and even some new construction with adobe along the Pan American highway north of Estelí. The biggest issue with adobe is keeping the rain off it. Assuming you are where there is not a lot or rain or you build to protect it, it is a great building material because of the thermal mass with very low energy input.

Some other things worth considering are earth bags (basically sacks filled with dirt) and straw bale. Both can be designed to not have problems in earthquake zones. And, of course, there is earth-filled tires.

not straw bale

Submitted by parrotheadnica on Sun, 2010/01/10 - 15:28.

I went back and read the thread about LiteBlocks made in Houston - is that what you meant? It looked like still only two places they are sold, both in the States.

I was told some time ago that straw bale isn't such a good idea because if there is seismic activity, and a crack forms, it would allow infiltration of dampness/humidity, and thereby start a process of decay in the straw bale. I'd had my heart set on this, but abandoned it when I heard this. I do plan on building with a wide overhang to the porch, but with adobe, is there a covering that can be applied to protect it from rain in any event?

I'll be checking out the Earthship when I get down there later this month - I'm not real keen on tires, but it sure would be a good use for them.

That was it

Submitted by fyl on Sun, 2010/01/10 - 15:40.

LiteBlocks.

You pretty much have the same decay issue with wood as well. Or, probably more important, termites. Rammed earth or earth bags avoids this issue. Also, an elastomeric paint over however you protect the straw bales will deal with a lot of cracking.

If you can still find it, the book The Art of Natural Building may offer additional ideas.

thanks

Submitted by parrotheadnica on Mon, 2010/01/11 - 09:49.

I don't have that book, but do have Hand Sculpted House, and Building with Cob - as well as numerous ones on straw bale construction. I did plan on using minimal wood, as those termites and ants are such pests. Plus I want to live in my house, not have it collapse at my feet....

The advice against straw bale came from Pelican Eyes, by the way. I'd suspect some of their problems were due to lack of overhang on most sides of their buildings. I think I've seen overhangs only one one or two sides at most, so that when cracks appear, they might be far more exposed to rain and humidity. I am being plagued by cracks in my house here in NH, and am finding it's something that makes me a little crazy. We have earthquakes here, though very rare, but these cracks aren't from that. Everyone tells me houses move, and I know for a fact the earth is moving around out there, but not in the cold of dead winter, which is when these cracks have appeared.