Neubauer, L. W. :

• . ~ OUT OF PRINT l ? ~ ~ " " " · " , , , · , , · " " : ' kf " ~ ' " ~ " ' \ ' fi1 ' ~ ; ' ' ' ' ' ' ' " ? P ~ ' ' W ~ ' l ' ' ~ ' ' ' ' " : ? P ! ' I , " , , " : " ' ~ : ~ ; " " ~ ' ~ ' ; ~ ¥ ' } I ' \ ! " " " ' : ~ ; " : ' ; ; ; N " : ? ~ ' ~ ' ~ ~ ; ~ : ' ~ ' ' " . j ' . : ' , . ! . . , " ' . • t . . · ; : . ~ " . . . - , - - " r r ! ; I 1 t , ~ . . __ ' ~ " ' . " j - , . . . . . & J ~ . . . . " OFFICE CO ~ y for dis.play or for reference • . . t ' or . ~ . : , - - - . - - - . - ~ . - - - - - . . - . ~ . - . . - . ~ - . . . - - . : . • - . . - - - . . - _ : . . _ - . , . . . __ . - - - - - - - _ .­ I . . e ~ Um ' Nte # ~ USING ADOBE BRICK OR RAMMED EARTH ( MONOLITHIC CONSTRUCTION ) FOR HOMES L . W . NEUBAUER UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension Service , • ' . ) ' . . . . is the soil material - usually a combination of sand , clay , and silt­used in the C01 ! StructiOIl of adobe bricks or of rammed - earth walls . Bricks made from this soil are also called " adobes . " The best adobe soil is a stable , uniform mixtzn'e of good strength , and much dif­ferent from the so - called adobe clay found in some regions , which heaves arId expands when wet , and shrinks badly when drying , forming large cracks . . . . @ Natu , . l e . " h I . . , bee . . wed to , « . . t . . , i " ' 0 b , , ; ! d hous " , and probably will be med for cel / turies to come . In spite of certain obviolls wea / messes it has often / ) ) " Oved satisfactory . This manual discusses methods that will make adobe still 111O ) ' e serviceable and permanent . Certain stabili:ers will harden the earthy material or make it water - resistant , ami will gh'e the 1latural soil the additiollal strength a1ld durability that is Jlecessary for building homes . THE AUTHOR : Loren W . Neubauer is Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering and Associate Agri­cultural Engineer , Experiment Station , Davis . • - ' . " " ; ? to « . t 9 ( Jod id - it ? It's available - you may find it near or even on your construction site . It's economical - you may secure soil without cost or at a very low price . Labor is cheap - no special skills are needed . It requires very little trim - and still looks satisfactory . It's durable - will last for genera · tions , especially when stabilized . Walls are solid and strong . It's fireproof . It's decay - and termite - proof . Total insulation is excellent . Heat capacity is high - retarding . , . I temperatur ~ changes . It's popular - people appreciate its rustic appearance . 1tI ~ at'd , ~ ' tOtt ( J ~ tt " it ? It's hard work - vou and vour family have to do it yourself , or ' hire help at extra cost . It's not water - resistant - unless sta­bilized . It's low in strength - weaker than wood , concrete , or steel , unless rein­forced or used in very large masses . Earthquake hazard is high - unless special features are included . I . Heavy weight - large tonnages must be handled during construction . Foun­dations are subject to high loadings . Little lateral strength - do not use adobe for water tanks or grain storage . Also remember : while cost of walls is low in adobe houses , the expense for walls is only a fraction of total house cost . ~ e'te id - iH / o'tmaUolf , on : Adobe Brick Making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 The Soil to Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Stabilizing and Waterproofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7 Structural Requirements and Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 Monolithic Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Available Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 27 Further Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 31 . This manual replaces Bulletin 472 • ' ! . ' , " ~ j i I ! I • . , . . . . . . You can construct walls from earth either by pouring or molding the entire mass of soil into a single unit ( mono­lithic methods ) or by forming bricks from which to build the walls . . In both types you have to handle damp or wet soil to puddle it . In the puddled state the soil grains are brought close together , so that there is a mechanical binding or locking between the soil par­ticles , and so that the surfaces in contact can be cemented by the clay in the soil . Thus the material often becomes much harder and stronger than you would expect . Several monolithic methods are dis­cussed on pages 22 - 25 . In recent years ( especially in the Southwest ) the use of adobe bricks has become more popu­lar . A HOME - BUilT ADOBE MIXER constructed with metal paddles on iron pipe . It is turned by a motor belted to the large pulley at the right . What are adobe bricks ? Adobe bricks are rectangular mud bricks , shaped in forms , dried in the sun , and then laid up in courses in the wall with mud or cement mortar . This method has two advantages : 1 . The exact amount of shrinkage IJ1 the brick is relatively unimportant as long as the unit remains intact . That means you can use heavier soils than with monolithic methods . All shrinkage takes place before the bricks are laid in the wall . 2 . Labor requirements arc extremely flexible . One man or several men mav be put to work with a minimum · 0 £ equip­ment . One person , working alone , llIay accomplish a great deal , oyer a period of tillle . A three · to five - man crew will usually work most efficiently . A DOUGH - MIXER used for adobe brick mak­ing . The interior blades are rotated by means of a gasoline engine . . • ' . ' . ) " . How to make bricks You may want to make your bricks by hand or with simple equipment , or you can buy them commercially . Manual labor is , of course , the his­torical method of brick making . It is still used in adapted forms . often with the help of small tools or light machines to puddle the soil completely . Make rectangular forms of wood or metal . Lay them on the ground , on a smooth area , and place mud in the forms • by sh ( ) vel or bucket . Spade the adobe carefully and tamp it into all corners of the forms , to insure well.shaped bricks . Strike the top off level , then lift the forms , leaving the bricks in place . Do not make the mixture too wet , or the mud will slump or run after you reo move the forms , or it may shrink and crack excessively upon drying . A slight slump or settlement may be all right , as many people prefer the somewhat irreg . ular and rustic appearance . Cover the bricks with paper to slow down the initial drying which prevents severe cracking . ( See photos below ) , After lifting the form , wash excess mud off its inner faces with water , and repeat the molding process . MAKING ADOBE BRICKS , using a wooden form making three bricks at one time . Paper . is rolled down , the form is filled with wet mud , ( ) ~ . - . ~ ~ : ~ ~ - , : , : ; . . " , ' ' ' ' \ . ALL - METAl FORM for shaping adobe bricks , strong and smooth , and very convenient for small operations . Allow the bricks to lie flat for one to three days , until they are sufficiently strong to hold their shapes when turned . At that time . set the bricks on edge , so the air may circulate freely on both sides . This will promote uniform drying and help preyent warping and cracking . After a few more days of drying in this position , stack the bricks in loose piles for a few weeks . to complete their dry­ing and curing . They will often dry down to a 3 per cent moisture content ( ] uri'ng a hot , dry slimmer . Small ~ scale mechanical method of hrick making invoh'es home·made mixers ( see photo , page - to left ) , or other and tamped ( left ) . After finishing the surface right ) , form is lifted , paper unrolled on top of the bricks , and form set down for next bricks . , . . . . • • ~ : ~ ~ \ ' < - . , . - - - -­ " _ . . . o " , J 1 • . . , ; types of pug - mills , dough . or plaster mix­1 · ers ( see photo , page 4 , right ) . These mix­ers can be placed near the drying yard and building location . Concrete mixers are not suitable for this purpose . If you use wooden forms for the brick making , line them with thin sheet metal , to provide smoother surfaces and make cleaning easier . Some people prefer all­metal forms , either for one brick at a time ( see photo on top of page 5 ) or for THE SOIL TO USE Not all soils can be used for brick making . i \ Iany will not form bricks of . ; adequate strength . A very sandy soil is weak , and so is a loamy or organic soil . Most suitable soils contain some clay or 2 : I : I2 J 2II 2 a group of bricks . Metal forms will yield a fine type of brick . Commercial or large - scale brick making . If you dislike the dust , dirt , and mud that goes with making the adobe bricks , but don't mind the labor and limited amount of dirt involved in laying the bricks . you may buy adobe bricks , already dried and cured . They are being manufactured on a large scale in some regions . silt , but too much of it will cause ' too much shrinkage and will result in warp­ing and cracking . As a rule of thumb , the soil should contain less than 45 per cent of material passing a number 200 SCRE ~ H SIZES IN Io4ESH P [ R . . . . . . ~ ; 0 : ! 0 0 INCH . ; , ; I . . . . SOIL " I . . : r I ~ . . . . 2 2 : I SILT RELA'TED TO DIAMETER OF ' PAR'TICLCS IN MIL.LIMETERS 0.005 M CLAY A , J c c . . - u3z , JCco < u A , Bar graph illustrating the soil texture classification as used by the USDA Bureau of Soils . B , Soil classes based on the relative amounts of clay , silt , and ' sand . C , Results of certain soil tests . The contours indicate suitability for earth construction . Note that the best mixes contain large percentoges of sand . I . . \ [ 6 ] 4 - __ I • ) i - - - - - - - - - - · L . - . . . - . - - . - ~ - - - - - . . . - . z.o . . . . . . . . - - . : . - - . • lot . . . ~ - . . . . : : . . . . . i . , ~ ~ . . . __ ~ , ~ ' _ " - ' , . " , . : . . . - " , __ . __1 __ • Adobe Testing Laboratories . Type 0 / test Abbot A . Hanks , Inc . , 624 Sacramento Street , San f.rancisco 11 . . . . . . Soil or Bricks American Bitumuls and Asphalt Company , 1520 Powell Street , Emeryville . . . . . Soil Edward S . Babcock and Sons , P . O . Box 432 , Riverside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soil California Testing Labs . , Inc . , 619 E . Washington Blvd . , Los Angeles 15 . . . . . Bricks A . F . Janes , 220 East Ortega Street , Santa Barbara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bricks Los Angeles Testing Lab . , 1500 South Los Angeles Street , Los Angeles 15 . . . . Bricks Morse Laboratories , 316 16th Street , Sacramento 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bricks Nelson Laboratories , 1145 \ Vcst Fremont Street , Stockton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soil I San Diego Testing Lab . , 3167 Kurtz Street , San Diego 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soil Smith - Emery Company , lSi East \ \ ' ashington Blvd . , Los Angeles 21 . . . . . . . . Bricks South Dakota State College Experiment Station , Department of Agricultural 1 Engineering , Brookings , S.D . . . . . " . . . . . _ . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soil The Twining Laboratories , P . O . Box 1412 , 2527 Fresno Street , Fresno Soil or Bricks1 The Twining Laboratories , 321 19th Street , Bakersfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soil or Bricks screen . The diagram on page 6 shows these relations , indicating which combi­nations will provide best results . Looking at the soil - even a careful examination - will not tell you enough to prediCt its value for brick making . Preliminary tests can be made by hand­molding . Make small bricks to check cracking and strength for handling_ If you are in doubt , seek expert advice . You will find a list of adobe - testing labo - . ratories above . Recent experiments with agricultural soils have shown no correlation between soil type and strength of bricks . How­ewr , good agricultural soil generally is not desirable for mlobe bricks . A mix · ture stronger in day and sand , which is frequelltly poor for crop production , IS usually more satisfactory . STABILIZATION AND WAiERPROOFING You oftcn can improve soils that are I I unsatisfactory for brick - making bv mix­ ' ] ' I ing them with other soils and materials_ Two or three ditTercnt soils may be COIll­I bined in various proportions , or anyone soil may gain by the addition of a cer­ " , I tain amount of 5and or clay : Coarse sand , I or even sOllie types of gravel . llIay often be added . to good advantage . Gf'l1crally , clay in the soil adds strength , while ~ alld and gravel aid ill reducing shrinkage_ Example : In one soil test we found that the natural soil had sufficient 5trength ( over 500 pounds per square inch in comptession ) but linear shrink · age was excessive ( over 8 per cent ) . To reduce 5hrinkage and cracking , we added sand in various proportions . This re­sulted in a weaker brick in even in­stance , although the strength reI11 ~ ined satisfactory for admixtures up to 50 and 60 per cent · of sand . This mix , however . [ 7 ] . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -­ ' ! ' . " reduced shrinkage to half , and , having decreased warping and cracking , made a much more suitable brick . Stabilizers Portland Cement . Portland cement increases the strength of soil that by it­self would be too weak for building , and makes it water resistant . It reduces the absorption of water ( seldom stopping it completely ) and prevents softening or weakening of bricks exposed to water , thus avoiding serious harm . Earth composed chiefly of fine - grained particles , such as cla ~ ' and silt may re­quire a considerahJe proportion of ce­ment for an appreciaLle gain in strength . A mix of 10 to 20 per cent is sometimes used , although a 5 or 6 per cent lIlix will often provide enough increase in strength - especially ill sandy loams , composed of less - fine material . In order to get satisfactory results with cement admixtures , keep the bricks damp for several days while the cement hardens . Large proportions of Portland cement o 5 10 15 2.0 PER CENT STABILIZER ADDED BY VOLUME This graph explains what happens if you add various amounts of emulsified asphalt stabilizer or cement to the soil . wilL of course , increase costs com:ider­ably , which ' limits its usc for stabilizing . Each soil has its peculiarities , and it is impossiLle to predict how much cement is needed to raise the soil strength to a required level . Only by making a few test samples or large blocks can you de­termine how the structural features have been improved . In some cases you may want to add cement not to increase strength but purely to provide resistance to mois · ture - so that earth walls subjected to rains and especially damp conditions will not soften or decompose , but will retain their normal shape and strength . Some soils are badly weakened by small amounts of cement but become very strong as more is · added . The graph on this page indicates how greatly compression strength is weakened when small amounts of stabilize.rs are added to the cement , and how steeply strength increases with more additions . To d ~ termine the most satisfactory and ecollomical combination , test your bricks for strength and w · ater resi ! ' tance . Emulsified Asphalt . Oily water­prooflllg agents , especially emubified asphalt , are being widely and success­full y used as stabilizers . A fractional volume of a water emulsion of asphalt , added to the earth - and - water mix , pro­vides an internal waterproofing that permanently protects the adobe bricks . Such mixes lllay require 5 to 15 per cellt of emulsion to gi \ " e adequate protection to various soils . See graph on this page . Emulsified asphalt often weakens the brick in direct proportion to the alllount used , but it may make the hrick tougher , more elastic and durable . Some ; ) per cent ? f asphalt may be sufficient to pro­vide waterproofing . Test your bricks by standing them up in shallow water . Once you have established the mllllmum amount that is satisfactory for water­proofing , adding further asphalt will only weaken brick strength and increase cost . The amollnt of asphalt that will pro­ [ 8 ] • " , . . , vide waterproofing and strength at eco­nomical cost can usually be determined only by experiment . Make several small test bricks containing various amounts of asphalt . You can get an approximate idea of brick strength by rough han­dling or by dropping the test bricks on a hard surface . How much asphalt you need , depends primarily upon the amount of fine silt and clay contained in your soil . These waterproofing agents , • however , often cause some weakening of the adobe , so you should aim to me the least possible amount that , viII provide the waterproofing . Treated bricks , when set in water , will usually suffer no damage for many days , ; . I while plain adobe bricks may be entirely ' . _ ~ _ ; ~ 1 . . . . . . · . _ , . . . _ . · - , , - _ ~ __ , ~ ~ . . . ~ . . : . . . . ruined within one hour . This is illus­trated in the pho'to on this page . You may buy emulsified asphalt from several of the well - known oil companies . Other Stabilizers . Other materials have been used as stabilizers to a limited extent . Among them are resin emulsions , lime , pozzolan . stearates . soaps , water glass , and other silicates . Each con­tributes certain " aluable features - such as waterproofing , strength , transparency , or light color - but are uneconomical . In the past , straw or manure has often been used as a stahilizer or streng , thener , hut recent tests revealed that in most cases these materials often hinder rather than help the hardening of adobe . At present they are used " ery little . f " ' ~ " ' · ~ 7 ' ' ' ~ ; · ' ' ' ' ' ~ ' ? I ~ " , . . . " ' - ' : : : : ; ~ ~ : ~ 7 : f ' 7 ~ ' < : : - Y ~ - ' m ' " : ' ~ " - - ; " : ' ' ' ' ' ' , . , , , , . . . . , , ' . " ~ ' - ' ~ ~ ~ " " " " " ~ " " ' - " ' 7 " " " ~ l i " ' j ' t . . j , • ' , 1 ; A 3 ' 1 , t -­ t t I " , 0 " ' , . . - . , . ~ . . , , , , , ~ . . . . . . . . ~ . , . , . , . ~ , , , , ~ . F - ' ~ : , . . . . . " . ; . . . . " " ' . ~ . . . . . ~ . ' , I . . . . ; . . Water·Resistance Tests , The bricks on the left are of plain soil , those in the middle are half sand , those on the right contain 10 per cent emulsified asphalt . The top bricks in each stack have no surface coating , the second ( black ) bricks were pointed with asphalt , the third ( white ) bricks were painted with white house paint , the bottom brick , with a potent masonry paint . Note that the stock on the right held up well although it had been tested in water for 1,000 hours . [ 9 ] . . . _ - - - , - - - - - - - - - - -­ • " . To build a strong and stable construc­tion that will last at least a generation or two , you must mee ~ certain structural requirements . Strength of Bricks . Common strenl ! th requirements for adobe bricks are : 300 to 350 pounds per square inch ( p5i ) in compression , and 50 pounds per square inch in tension or shear . These are ob · viously much less than concrete or tile . but are normally adequate for safe con · struction . In the technical design of walls , a factor of safety of 10 is oftm used . That mcans that a compressive stress of only 30 or 35 pounds per 5quarr inch is permitted , and the tension stress is held down to . ' ) pound , . per square inch , or zero . In designing for zcro strength in tension or shear , YOU must build you.r walls very thick . or use sOllle steel wire or rods for reinforcement . Stabilization . It is often required that bricks he stabilized , either with some type of oil ( to waterproof them ) or " ' ith a hydraulic cement ( to strengthen them and make them more durable ' I . ; \ nv such treatment is Yen ' desirable : it mav easily make permanel ; t , dependable . al ~ d du ;­ able a wall that otherwise woultl be tem · porary , undependahle , and ahsorbent . Special stabilization of the bricks may not always be lIecessan ' , howe \ · er . Some soils are relatively durable and rC5istant . and may do ver'y well without special treatments . Or , in well - drained locations , walls protected by protruding roofs may never become wet enough to warrant treatments , and may stand up in ! ! ood condition for many years . Or waterproof paint , applied to exterior surfaccs , may bc sufficient to protect the walls from ordinarY rainfall . Size of Bricks . Common brick size is 4 " x ] 2 " x 13 " , having a yolume of one­half cubic foot . This is about as heavy as you can comcniently handle , weigh­ing ahout 50 pounds . The 4 " height pro­ \ · ides a good appearance in the waiL and you can lay the hri ~ ks so thev can form a wall either 12 " or 13 " thick . Somcti meso hricks are made in other ~ ize ; : . such as 4 " x 3 " x 16 " . or cI . " ' . ~ 3 " x 12 " , or 4 " ' < 16 " : < 24 " . You may prefer special sizes for corner details . window sills . jall1h ~ . or interior walls . Whell you me vertical reinforcing , half - sized bricks may lea \ ' c foom for vertical rods in the center of the wall , with the narrow bricks 011 each side_ Some pcople make special units . having holes . groo \ ' cs , or em'ities , throuf ! : h which the ~ " project the vertical reill ffircements . But special shapes com­plicate the brick making and are expen · sive_ That's why many people simply saw and chip down standard sizcs to the de­sired proportions . Wall Height . Codes often require that vou limit walls to one story in . . hcif ! : ht . The second story illlpo ~ es many complications and the neel \ for much greater strength . When you build a two­story ~ trueture . make the first story walls ahout ; ' ) 0 per cent thicker than those of the upper story . Anothcr code requirement calls for wall thickne ~ s to he 1 ~ to ~ . ~ " of \ I " all hei ; ! ht . An S ' Of 10 ' wall might he 12 " thick ; or a 12 ' wall Illay hm " e a thick­ness of Hi " to 13 " . : \ Iany one - story walls are relatively thi < : k , ranging up to 24 " [ 10 ] • . . . - . - - - . - - ' - - - - . ' . - - - - - - ~ - , - - ' " ' - ~ . . - , , ~ . - . - . . - • • . . . . - - . , - ' . . . . . . , , - , ~ - . . . . . . . . . - . - . . . . • - . - . - • . . . - - . . . . . . . " . . < . - , _ - - . , ~ . " . , _ . . . __ . " ' 0 - . , . : . . . . : ' __ . \ . i i . i or more , although some - particularly when reinforced with steel - are olllv 8 " thick . Generally , 8 " walls are not desir­able because they are , , - eak and do not insulate well . Earthquake Proofing . III earth­quake regions , hazard with all types of soil and masonry - structure is rather seri­ous . Adobe construction , being weaker than other masonry , is especially sus­ceptible . But you need not fear ordinary earth te ; blors if you employ sound construction practices_ use some rem­forcement , and huild lintels and plates of heav , , . wood timbers or reinforced concrete . Codes . Follow carefully all city , county , state , and national building codes ; they are usually required for good reasons . In most cases the v will include requirements very similar to the recom­mendations made in this section ; such features arc desirable even where no lrecific codes prevail . 1 , . - - J . _ • - - - - - . " ! 1 . . . . . . . - - - - . . - i ; i n ~ . - - - - J , . , " ' __ . . . . ______ " " t " ! ? I . . , . __ J ' , - - - " " ' \ 0___ - - ' " " " ' " " " Illf ' - - - . . . ' - - ~ . - ' ~ - , - - - - - - - - - - . - - - " ' - .­ - - - - } : j ~ - . A " t J ~ · · ' 2 ) hA ~ : , . ; A'AnA ~ ___ - - - . , . - - - - ~ - : : : : : Vif ~ ~ - - , _______ . . . . v.v ' ' - , . " . d ~ " , , ~ ~ ___ . . i1 ~ , . : : 1 ~ l ( ! __ . . M______ . . - " ' - _____ . . . ' " - ____ " " " " " ' , ' - ______ . : ~ ~ In many respects . construction details for adobe houses arc ; ; imilar to those used for common wood - frame C ( lIlstrue­tions . Foundations . plumbing . hardware . wiring . and roofing may require ollly small changes . Foundations . Construct footings , piers , and foundations ~ oIlle \ \ hat larger and stronger than u ~ ual hecause thn ' ha , - e to support walls hea \ ier than u " ual . Such · practice is not alway ; - illljlerati \ e . but a sound , stable foundation \ \ ill pro­tect you best against earthquakes and other unusual forces . Preferably make foundations of con­crete . Include three or four lon ; . ritudinal reinforcing rods of adequate size the CIl­tire length around the building . 011 com­mOil day or loamy soils that often get wet , limit the allcmable soil - bC3riIl ~ pre , ,­ sure to about olle ton per square fuot . On sandy or gravelly soil , ; . which arc not subject to severe wetting_ \ OU can permit much grcater hearing prp ; ; su res - ( ) ften ' up to two or threc tOilS per square fuot . For foutings alld piers yOU may use brick , stone , or concrete block_ built up to standard sizc or larger . Thesc mate · rials arc ncver as good as reinforced concrete but they serve the purpose very well , e " pecially for small houses and tem­porary types of buildings . COl ! llllon adobe blocks are rarely suit­able for footings . for they \ vill not stand up when \ vet . If stabilized carefully with asphalt or ccment , hO \ \ Tyer , they \ I - ill resj , , ( moisture adequately and may do under light loadings and for temporary structures . \ Valls . : \ s mentioned hefore , walls may \ ' ary from 8 " to 2 - J , " in thickness , ( repcnding upon the size of the blucks . Wall height is usually W or I ) ' , or eight to ten tillle ~ the wall thickness . You may lay bricks in various patterns . with ran - · clom or staggered j oillls requiring a defi­n ite ovcrlap . : ' . 1ortar5 can be made in two ways . Use either a mix identical with that used in bricks , but without coarse sand or gravel , to secure as uniform a wall as possible : or a high - grade masonry mortar with cement and sand proportioned 1 : 21 , ~ or 1 : 3 , often including a waterproofing agent , sllch as 10 per cent emulsified a ~ phalt or vin : ; ; ol resin . Steel reinforcement is always recom­mended . The simplest method is this : [ 11 ] i • ' 0 , ' . ~ , " I ! : , " , ~ ' " . . . . . . . ' - ' - ' , . . t t , : - . - . " , · 1 ~ " ' ; : 1 : ' : . ~ ~ ! : : U : - " ~ . , ~ ~ · ' , ' \ , , 1 ; t . 1L ~ . . . " ( I ' , - . . . . - . . . . . " ' ~ - ~ ~ ) ~ { . . . . . \ ; p . J . • . . " ' J , . . s . : . : JiI ' . . ' . " ' ~ . . ; ' . . . . . . . . . ' . . ' ~ Place heavy wires or rods in the hori­zontal mortar joints between thc bricks , continuously around the wall . Space them 2 ' to 4 ' vertically . Also put the horizontal rcinforcements just bclow and above windows . l'se rods in pairs and ' lap thcm 2 ' or 3 ' at joints , as shown in the upper photo on this page . Vertical steel reinforcclllcnts are su­perior , and required by certain codes , hut more difTicult to placc . You can cither put the rods in the center of the walL or stagger them from side to sidc . Therc are scvcral ways to place thcm il1 the wall : you may split bricks , use narrow half - sized bricks ( sce centcr photo Oil this pagc ) , or drill holes vertical ! y through bricks in alternate courses , and fill the holes around thc rods fi.rmly with mortar . The sketch 011 pagc 13 illustrates this method , and also shows details for a bond beam as well as joists alld o \ ' er­hanging rafters . The bond beam . at the top of the wall , lIlay be solid reinforced concretc G " or 8 " hif ! h , or may be faced with wood or adobe as sho \ m in thc sketch . The thin adobe brick facing pro­vides the best natural appearance . • . , . , c . " " " " - ' : : ~ . - : ' ! ; ~ " ' : . . ' \ , , ; . - ; ~ ? : . . : . , C ' I . , , , . ; . . 11 1 I p ! I j 1 ­ . ~ ' ~ WAll REINFORCEMENT METHODS ore shown on poge 12 . In the left column the top picture presents 0 woll detoil with 0 double row of horizontol reinforcement rods . Roqs ore lopped two or three feet ot joints . The other two photos on poge 12 show verticol reinforcement rods , set between split bricks in one row ( center ) ond ot the end of stondord bricks in the next row ( bottom ) . Steel extends from foundotion up through bond·beom or plote . The sketch on poge 12 shows two methods of using vertico I reinforcing steel . BUILDING THE WAll con be done by unskilled lobor . Photos on top of this poge show how mortor joints ore finished by hand , using 0 rubber glo ~ e ( left ) ond how finished section of wall is broomed to remove loo ~ e mortor ond dirt ( right ) . Sketch below gives cross·section detoils of roof and woll for typicol odobe construction . 5hjnqk ~ , . 5hab2 ~ J ; ' . • . - : -­ , . . . . . . . ~ . : : . : : ~ : . . . . . . . - - - . . . . ' - . . - - - - ~ - - ~ - . . . . ~ ' : . - - - - - . - _ . _ - _ . _ - - ' . .­ 1 / ~ " Co - ~ II ~ ' bnii·s . , , ___ ; : : - , , ~ ~ : : , - - , : . . , . . abou " j - 4 - ' - ( , " : ' : ; , ' : : . 2 " ~ - . ! a : " ' , fI . , , , . . . . . ~ r . ; n ; . , br < c . y ~ on I2 . C ~ S2 : _1_ ~ L_d_ . _ ' i < : ; , " ' ~ or j ~ ; ; rJr ~ , , - " < r • . : - ' 1 ~ . some coP - < · ( : : . ~ + ion ~ ' , " ' I ' : : { ~ . ; y . . . . : . : ' < . . TtJ . . . : " - " , ' , , " . ~ - - 0 ; : j t , Or1 F - : ' ' - ~ l - ! , : : : - ; - j ' - : : : - ~ ' : ~ I . . . t - - - - - . . _ • . " . . . . . . . . . . , J . end , : / ( ~ F · : . r · · ~ . 5 : ; J " . nt1 . ' \ ' . . . r ~ tch r : ~ : < . , , > , L ~ ' " " " 5 " Z " abdi " ! cd with ~ I ' · t , . i ! ' : · ~ f ; : : : d ( ~ · . " " . : · · · ~ i · , ~ 0r c - r ~ ' z " " roc ; ; - / ng . . . . . . . . . . . - 1 - . ~ 7 · · - ~ , - - - - - . . . . . . J - : - - " ' ~ ' r : - ~ ' ' " \ , \ / . : ' ; . ~ r ~ , - " i ~ , ~ ~ r : . y : ~ ~ . , ' . . , . . . . . . ; " ) ~ . : ov ~ : ! ' " " ' ' : ; c - : : . : . - : ) I 1 ! ~ . . . I ~ " ) \ \ , · S ' · ~ I ( ; ; . ~ I oj " " : ~ . • " , ' - . ~ ; " : ' ~ ~ , , ; < : , : \ . i . ~ ' " . . • ~ . • ~ , j , ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ ; . , , " " l - . . : j : " , . " " " " " ~ . . . . . ~ " ' ; . ; , ~ ; . , f ' \ J : - . : : - . < I , ~ . . . r , . ' ~ . . ir . . . . . . , L ~ l ! . . ~ • . L ~ " , ; ; ; \ . . ~ · . . . t . ~ _ " " . : , ' A > , " " ; ' : ' · ' \ - , . WOODEN WINDOW FRAME set in place , the adobe wall being built around it . One brick . is used as a weight to steady the frame . Space below frame will be finished later with a can · crete window sill , or one made of adobe or burned - clay bricks . METAL WINDOW SASH ( ! eft1 - Edges are set in Windows . You may me any standard type of wood or metal sash . Set wood frames in place , and bu.ild up the adobe walls around them . Shape or groove ad · j acent bricks at the ends , to allow for mortar to hold metal ties , which are nailed to the wooden frame . Iron or aluminum window sash are handled similarly . Brace them in posi . tion while you build adjacent walls . Groove brick ends for projecting flanges or metal frame . Use mortar or mastic to make a tight fit . Sec photo and sketches on these two pages for details . o Lintels . Use lumber or reinforced con · crete for lintels over windows and doors . They must be strong enough to support the weight of bricks and to help support the bond beam , plate , and rafters . De­tails for a reinforced concrete lintel are shown in the sketch on page ] 5 , in dicat · ing approximate dimcnsions ami reill­forcing steel required . mortar and mastic . Window sill is of stabilized adobe bricks , set ot on angle for drainage , and projecting a few inches beyond the wall . Rig ht : Window in a finished adobe wall . The lintel is a heavy wooden beam . The sill is solid concrete . " t • ) , - - - ' " tI ~ ' . . . ~ - , < . t . . . ~ . · . fI . , ; 1 : . - ' IL , ; ' ) . : ; - - . " f1 ; , , ; \ , . ~ : . ~ ; . . ; \ 1 . i ; t , i ' I . \ ~ \ " ~ , / \ ' . : , 1 , \ 1 I I I , I . : ; 1 ~ - . ~ ' , ; . , . . . . . ! " - . : , . . . - ' " \ : j ' 1 . J , . . . ' " I " \ . ; . . . . , , - . iii , . . . . ; .­ f ' , ~ . . . . . . " . - - - - - - . . , - . - , . - - 11.1 ~ - - . ~ • " . . , . . Of . " , . - - - - - - : . - - - - - - ~ . ; . ; ; ; . ; ; . . . ; ; ; = . . = - - . . = . - - = . . . . = . - - . : : : . . - - : : " : " " : ~ " . ' " : ' : - - - - : - - ~ • . . ~ ~ - - , ' \ ' , ' . ' . . . . . " . ' , ' , 1'111 · " ' ~ 4t ? " ' J ~ J . " / 1Ih1 ~ J . : r " t:I / J ~ . JW / o " " t hl " / , - , , 1 , / fo " d / / 04V , tvJ , lb ; hjI I ~ cvnnf / ' , i . , • . . r - . - - - - " _ J _ ___ . . _ . . . . _ _ ' " ____ _ _ J _ ___ J . _ ~ ~ . . j s : . n ' 6arJ ~ " , , / o , . c ~ ' " ~ r'rl / i111 , / ; fv - Z . . - Mlll ' 1dCXV . D cui / 0 JMn ' or / , , 11 ' , 1 TYPICAL WINDOW DETAILS : A , Double - hung window , with standard sash adapted to splayed plank frame . B , Out - swinging wood casement , rabbeted 2 x 6 - inch jamb , laminated lintel , " bull­nosed " plaster jamb , tile window ledge , brick sill , and roll screen . C , Steel casement window set in precast / reinforced concrete lintel . D , Reinforcing details for a precast concrete lintel . E , Steel sash on wooden T - shaped buck set in place in monolithic walls . [ 15 ) " : ! " ; " ' : " " . ' k . , , . , . , . . fIIY . ' ' " j ' ' ~ . - : ' \ ' p ' / " ~ - . ' l ~ : ; : : - 2 , , . ; ' ~ - ' . ; ; . c . . . . . ~ . . ; : - ~ I . . . , ~ " , - - _ ~ _ ~ ; _ . . . : r - ~ , · ' r - ' · - - " " " " ~ . - - . . - : : - . . , . 4 . . . . - ; : . ' . ~ ~ . ~ - . . ~ - , - - , . . . . . . ~ = ~ = - . . - : - . . , . ~ " . . . ~ - - , . - - . . . . < • . . . ~ . . . - . , . , . . . . . . . i " ' : . ' ? . . . . . . . . ~ L ; : . i ; , ' . - - - ~ - - . . : : . . . . . . , . . - " . - . " C ' ' . . ~ - - . . . ' " " . . . . ~ - ' r ' · ~ - · t j : i ~ ' ' ' ; ' ' ~ . . . . ~ J " . . " ) r ' - ' - ; ! . ' , J ; ~ J__ f - - - - - - . - - . , . - - - ~ , - : : ~ ~ - = , : ~ . - ~ , . f . . . t - , ' ­ . 1 ' ; - - - " " - , - - - - - . . . ' · · ~ · · ~ ~ t · . , : # ~ _ . . . . r - ' - ; . - - - -­ . - . : : . . . . . . , - ' 3 . ' ' . J . . , . , . " - : - . . . . . . . < . . - - ' > ' . ~ . r ' - · , ( i " " , . ' , . " " " . ' , " . . / . . ~ . . . . . . : ~ . . . . . . ~ . ~ ~ " . _ . . . J ADOBE·HOUSE CONSTRUCTION , showing brick door frames in place . Doors . You probably will use lumber frames around doors . Set them in place . like windows , build the walls around them , and attach them with metal sLrips or nails 1 " in the morLar joinl5 . Lse eun­crete or timher lintels o \ ' er doors . , , \ I \ ow a total of ~ ~ " to 1 " in height for vertical shrinkage in the mortar joints . Jamb an · chorage 15 5hown 1Il the sketch OIl this page . arrangement , vertical reinforcing steel , and Bond Beam . A continuous reinforced concrete bond heam should extend around the to ] > of the wall . This is an excellent stahilizing influ ( ' nce ag:ainst strong winds or earthfJuakf's . The beall1 1111 \ \ ' be as thin as 4 " hut it i " better to make it 6 " or 8 " . Two or more reillfore · ill ; ! rods 5hould be illcluded . Thc ! ' e de­tails arc shown ill the sketches OIl pages 13 , 18 , and 19 . . . . , - ~ ' - " . . . . - < ~ ~ . . , . , ~ , - . - - , - , - . - . , , - . ' ! I 1 . . - : " , , / ( , , _ . ' . - : - . - T . . } / \ ' / hC're the i \ 1 I , • • _ . . iI [ 16 ] ' - < ' . • " . Interior Partitions . Walls or parti­tions within the hou ~ e Illay be of thinner adobe sections or of wood frame . In either case , attach them firmly to thE ' exterior walls with nails , integral ma­sonry , or metal strips , as " hown in the photo on this page . Here the exterior \ vall was laid in anticipation of a subsequent interior partition . The metal strips may be laid in new Illortar joints or nailed to wood studding . Plumbing and electric Wlrtng In planning the adobe hou ~ e you have to consider the needs for running rough plumbing and wiring through founda­tions and concrete floors . 1 \ lost of the plumbing pipes can I.e fixed in place be­fore pouring concrete for the footings , foundation walls , and concrete floors . Finish plumbing can be done later . Ex · pert help is usually required . Wiring also is sometimes located in the concrete of the floor and foundatioll . Protective pipes or conduit can he laid in place where desired or required . anr \ the concrete poured around them . Be sure to have adequate wiring and outlets availahle wherever you ma ~ ' po ; . ; " ibh · need them . Wiring can al : - o be placed between joists in lIoor : ' or ceilings . Yer­tical chases or grooves are frequentl ~ ' left in adobe walls for wires or conduit , but this ma ~ ' weaken the walls or may re · quire thicker walls to allow for the chases . Small vertical boxes or tubes may also be used in corners , to carry wiring up or down . An especially convenient arrangement consists of a horizontal plug - in strip complete ! y arou nd the room , in a horizontal mortar joint on the inside about a foot above the floor . Floors . Csuall \ ' , the floor for an adobe house is made of ma ~ onry . Reinforced concrete is best , although you may U5e plain concrete , adobe bricks . or day tile . These are placed on a sand or gravel fill , a few inches above the exterior gradcline . See ~ kctches , pages IB and ] 9 . You may prefer a fini ~ h floor of wood or asphalt tile O \ ' er the cOllcrete ; or you . . " CORRUGATED METAL STRIPS are aften used to attach an interior partitian to the exterior wall . The attached partition may be of adobe or wood frame . Similar attachments are often used for door and window frames . llJa \ ' want to construct a common wood noor on joists at 18 " or more above the interior ground level . This is usually more expensive . A lumber floor is shown in the sketch Oil page 13 . Roofs . An adobe house can take allv standard t ~ ' pe of roof . EspeeiaIlv suitable are ( ' f·dar ~ hint ! les , redwood shakes , or ciay tile . The latter is durable and at · tractive but relati \ c \ y expellsi \ ' e . You can use cedar shingles or shakes on a pitched roof : on a flat roof you may try built - up roofing of a few plies of paper treated with hot tar , pitch . or asphalt . Detail , ; for hoth types arc shown in the sketches on pages 13 , 13 , and 19 . Be sure to nail gable roof rafters especially well to ceiling joists , plates , and walls . : \ Jany roofs arc now being constructed with an overhang of two , three , or four feet . to help protect the walls from rain and provide shade for windows and walks . · An o \ ' erilallg of ahout tlnee feet on the south exposure will COIll pletely shade large \ l'indows from the SUlllmer slln hut permit the low winter sun to enter all day long , greatly incrcasing heat and comfort in the house . [ 17 ] . , \ ' ; \ , " . ; " . . . . , . • - ; t ~ ~ " , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ \ ' h ~ " 1 i . ' ' . · · · . c : : ~ ' : ' ~ : ; l : · " ' . · m · . ! ~ . ; . . . . . " " ' . . - . ~ ~ ~ - . . . . . , _ : ' T y p I c A L · A D o B E $ bint1 • • rip • C ~ d.r , , " 4118 : « S , . . lb.inJ1e , L · ~ . · T4 - G ! ! onc.tl1in $ , , - " e " D . . ftcra . 4 - 0 " o.c , No " " ' c . ~ If 0 . pion . for , , . . _ . co " . tr \ 6oCti . . , ' \ " , . d inLrCo . " c ~ irncn'io ' ) . 4 " p.t.r - . JAil tD $ . ' ' ' . ~ . : ~ lC s.ize roolTl • . If pip • • Of ' dlA . . . . . Q , . . c I . . . into wallS th.i , ltcn ' no . . . . w " , 1k . cc.ordin.f ~ · ~ pil " bri eR t . f'lt 011 ~ cr1 ' I ' . 1su ~ j ~ ~ ~ 4o ~ ~ t : rL1 " , irCf'IIcnt'A . See r : . . . . . A . c . . : . dc . for . p . . , iflcatiO " _ . r.p . . ndcd m . . . . 1 , . t11 . to pI . . , cr , loptlona.ll . . . 60 . • • board T ~ G r ' . : ) orini jJ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 1 ~ ~ ~ : : : ~ ~ > : : = ~ ~ ~ ~ , : - . . . . . b \ , tlld , ni pop . " ' 4 . 1t . , 1 ( . . , - : " " . . b - Hoof ' { 14j dOo $ ~ nQlij ) to ~ ndG " ; on . ( to • • " 0 " . ) . . tif ~ . in.f · 1 rod . CDl ' 1t.I ' \ " O " . PICTORIAL VIEW showing construction details , including wooden fleor . [ 18 ] • . . . __ . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -­ ____C_O__N_S_ · _T_R_U__C_T_I_O__N____ ~ D - E - T - - A - I - L - S - - - - ~ ~ · Igii ~ : . ~ 4 ~ . 6 " Qaft £ F ' 4 · - 0 " o.c . ' \ ~ po.l'U \ . Ip to 11 ' , Noilins nrip . , ' , IZ ' ( Ila - . . ln . , toct ) 6 " " . " Lint £ 1 ( tu ~ ~ n effect ) t Adobe sill ~ b.Clpll:d to fit ' 1I ~ · ~ R . . nnf . , , tcel 6 : ' 0 " C·C . , At " II ~ orn ~ ' s . . . . at each s , dc : of all op.I " lIn ( ~ All rod ~ tr . ! : ( . A $ 1 ' " be ~ f \ ~ , from . footin { to CClp . S ~ O ! ~ C , . rod ~ oft cC'nte . , . IInll of ' ~ oll NOTr . ' F " " oof " in ( mu \ ~ ~ : Ilt.nd 0 . min " of 6­obo . , ) . fini ~ h ~ d tr0de . . c.ff ~ d ) ( . . l " Net b " " . board ( IrauloTion . materio.l ¥ & ' f Aod ~ c.ontin " , o " " , , CROSS.SECTION DETAilS of roof , wall , floor , and foundation for typical adobe construction . [ 19 ] I • ~ ' . - - . Chimneys and Fireplaces . Follow Or you may use patent metal fireplaces , the usual practices for chimneys and fire­such as ~ ho \ \ , 11 in the photo on page 21 , places . Put terra cotta , asLestos , or metal wilh ventilating and heating flues . This flues within the walls and surround them with adobe Lricks ; or run the flues through the walls , attaching : and sup­porting them in the usual way . You Il ( ' ecl 110 special protection around fi r ( ' places , as adobe is fireproof and stands high temperatures without diiliculty . ese fire­brick for the fireplace lining , howe \ · er . to secure the best permanent construc­tion , as shown in the sketch on this page . type actuall ~ ' provides considerable heat for the house . while ordinary fireplaces give very little heat but serve mainly as ventilators . If you have a wooden floor . the usual insulation and precautions are necessary . With a concrete or masonry floor the de · tail " arc much silllpler , and the hearth may actuall ~ ' be iutegral with the floor . or can be raised or lowered a few inches . < f , . , , " . ; ' / Ltrht ~ rl1 ~ - - ' - - - \ / , ( rr : : I / . PltzJ'l , r " / r - - . J \ , T , ' ILL:V.Al7T10N FIREPLACES can be built of adobe . Sun - dried brick I ~ nd themselves to intricate designs more readily than the monolithic adobe . Fire - brick lining is usually placed in the more ombitio'us designs . Adherence to the fundamental principles of fireplace design is essential . to successful operation . [ 20 ] • . , r ~ lW3C . ' p ; : : az:c W ~ lif·t1P ~ " " i . • * , , ~ * - " 1 \ : ; : . P9 ? z . : . . ' . , . ' t.fJ1U , , ~ ? . . . . . q9 « k ; ; : i4 * , P ' _ " " ' , ¥ , . ? f " J ' ~ ~ " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - " ' - ~ ' ~ ! " ' ! ' ~ ' " ' 7 . , . > . - , r - ' ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ' ~ ~ ! ~ ~ " ~ ~ ~ , . A I ~ I J I " 1 ! J i · c . - ' - " I _4 ~ . _ ; . • ; ; ~ j : . , ' ' ' - ' ' - ' ~ , . , tw . . . . . . · t ' • . . . . . . . . . ' . . . . . h " ' . . . . . . . " " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' ri ' · , . . . . . . . i . . ; " iii ~ : ~ · aw , . . · · . . . . . . oi ; W . . . . · : j < · ( ' + · . . . . . . . . . . ' . . . . . ~ , . ' , , , i • . , . . . . . . . . . - . ; . ' · . ADOBE·BRICK FIREPLACES may be very attractive , This one is built around a patent metal form having circulating ducts , for beller heating . Finishing and Painting ~ Stabilized adobe walls do not nC'ed am ' surface treatment and often are left in their natural condition . If you prefer a lighter color , you can use almost any type of paint . 0ne of the cheapest types is a water - cement paint , made of natural gray Portland cement , or white Portland cemellL and watcr , with possible admixtures of caleium chloride , soap , or stearates , for increased waterproofing . You can huy this paillt , . already prepared . in various colors . Common lead - and - oil paint is often used . Two coats will occasionally permit some asphalt to bleed through , lJUt threc coats usually pro \ " ide cOlllplete protec­tion . Aluminum paint with an asphaltic base is \ ' erv satisfactory but usually more expensive:Two or thr ~ e coats are ~ ccom­mended . Spccialmasonry paints , made to CO \ ' er concrete , brick , and earthcn surfaces , are exceptionally good for f:Jrotection and waterproofing . These may be more ex­pcnsi \ c , but , they will often last long enough to proye economical . The photo on page 9 ~ how5 test blocks and paint experiments . Plaster and stucco are lIsed - in some cases . : ' . Ietal lath or wire pro \ ' idcs the be ~ t attachment . These conceal the mor­tar j ( lints and obscure the natu ral brick appearance . The cost also may be higher than paint . [ 21 ] . . . . . . • " \ ' \ ' hile the u ~ e of adobe bricks is now most popular , you can also u ~ e Jl1uIlO­lithic methods . in which the entire mass of adobe is poured or mulded in a single unit . Here are a few construction meth­ods that sometimes are used in building adobe houses . The Cajon Method uses the adobe merely as a wall fdler , amI depends OIl other materials for structural ! oupport . You build the framework of thc wall of wood timher , ; or concrete posts , and place the earth between thesc to form the solid wall . The Poured - Adobe , or Mud - Con­crete Method modifies the Cajon method . to the extent that you use no wood studs but pour thoroughly mixed llIud bet \ \ ' cell forms din:clh in place in the wall . You allow the lJ1urlto dry . then H ' 1lI0ye the forms . and the mud wall alone support ~ the roof load . See the ~ ke [ ( ' he5 011 this page for somc types of forms \ ou may u ~ e . The English COQ Method requires a " tiff mud . piled ill reiali \ eh thick laYl'l " 5 on the wall without the ll ~ e of forms : You mix thc Illud to a hcm'Y enough THREE TYPES Of FORMS for poured adobe or mud - concrete . A , light forms tied with wires , which may be cut and left in the wall . Wire ends may assist in fastening furring or stucco rein­forcing . ' 8 , Heavy planks provide more substantial forms . Cross members are notched and the planks notched along the lower edge . Holes left in the wall are tamped full of mud . C , A type of " climbing " form , the bottom members being easily removed to place on top of a filled section above . Dowels will aid in securing proper alignment . All forms should be painted or oiled , to facilitate frequent cleaning . [ 22 ] • - ' . o_ . ~ ____ " ' __ " ' - _ ' _ " I . __ • ______ ___ . . " , . . ~ RAMMED - EARTH WAll CONSTRUCTION . : ; eavy sectiona ; forms are clamped to the masonry foundation OJ . Damp soil is put through a coarse screen ( 2 , _ . , d is spread 4 inches thick in the forms ( 3 ) . This is tamped to a dense mass , and the routine continued until the form is full . Cross - bolts are then withdrawn and the forms moved_ Vertical ioints are staggered at least 3 feet , and shaped with tongue and groove ( 41 . A reinforced concrete bond . beam is poured ' along the top of the wull . consistency so it " oill ha \ ' e little tendenc \ " to slump . Jf it does ~ luJllP or spread , trowel it back in place , or slice ofT the edge and plac.e it hack ( lfl top . This method has the ath'antage that it needs no forms . But shrinkage cracks often cause serious trouble , and the EIIglish cob method is not used ven - much in this cOllntr \ ' . Rammed Earth , or Pise de Terre . This is the most popular of all mono­lithic constructions . You consolidate damp or moist earth by tampin ~ or rum · of ming it in placc in the wall between forms . The soil should be just moist enough to hold together in a hall \ I hen you squeeze it in your hand , and yet dry enough to fall apart wheIl droppccl to thc ground from waist height . It should not he sticky . Soil that is too wet or too dry will not consolidate undcr the tamper . You need heavy . strong forms and ~ pc ( ' ial tamping tools . One·inch lumber i ~ nut strong enough to with ~ tand the hif:h lateral pressures : you had bettcr usc planks l1 , / I - " to 2 " thick . Place the damp soil in the form and leyel it to a uniform - \ . " layer . This depth is most practical because it seems to he the limit to which you can compact loose soils with a hand tool . A thorough ram · ming will compact the - 1 - " layer of loose ~ oil to about 21 ~ " . l'nder favorable conditiolls . ramllled · earth construction often g ( ) e ~ fa ; ; ; ter than other typcs of adobe.wall building , but the making and moving of the heavy forms are tiresome and discouraging . A roller - supported form work is one of the newest methoos fur forming a straight O'eclioll of rammed - earth 11 ' all . The sketch on page 2 - 1 - shows how the side - planks are held and spaced by canti · [ 23 ] .­ , f lever clamps at the top , so no ties or braces need to be covered with earth . The 3 " · diameter rollers arc fastened to the lower front end and the upper rear end of the movable form , so that it can easily be rolled forward on the newly rammed wall to a new position at the fini ~ h of each small section . The illustrations on page 25 give more information on forms and over·all arrangement for operations on rammed · earth structures . EASllY·MOVED ROLLING FORM built of 1 \ ( ' ' ' side boards , fastened 10 2 " x 4 " studs and cantilevers . After ramming one section of wall , the form is moved to a new position by means of the two 3 " - rollers . " does not have to be lifted . The form is held in place above the finished part of the wall by clamping it firmly with the two double - ended cranks . [ 24 ] . , . . ; ; ' . . . ~ . - : ' ' ' ' • . . . iJ \ ! ' . ( ' . ~ • . , , ! ~ . ~ , . . . . , . ~ ' r " " T ~ ~ ~ ~ r : - " • . , ~ . " " C7 • . . ' : . T ~ · - ~ l . . Ii " f ! ' . ' t ' { ; < j t ~ / il ' . ~ ' ~ , , , - \ FORMS for rammed earth construction , showing the arrangement for forming corner and par­tition walls and for blocking out openings . The spacing of the bolt holes along the bottom of the I form permits adjustment to all wall thicknesses that are divisible by 3 " , Three types of hand­ I tamping tools are shown in the photograph at the for right . , " I ' : l ~ ; : > ; , i : . . . . , I ~ fjj·I , " . " , 1 - - - " 1 - - 1 1 , 1 " , ' / . . . . . . . · ~ r I ! . I 0 ' . . . . . . . 1 1 , i 1 • • • ' • . . . : . . • • • • - - - - i • . , L • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • , • • • • • ~ " " - - . ' VII ~ W Po , . , , ' titYI " . all $ cI ra , " m ~ d carm " ' Clst be built J'nono ; ' f ' / ' Nc , . , iff } ! ' f , . _vie , lVa / 13 . " " i . 1'1 ~ ' hod III w ; ~ ~ " " - st_ , P t . J " p , . . " , rrrf ; col d ( t ' ~ fr : 1il join.J 0l'r , u , , , , , frvEnd.shp " " " 1'1 ' " , . / . - , 1 doorJ and ffl9 ~ ; n.r1 MIl , , ' . " el " , , / . I i Mit . ttl " " m . ' I I PLRN i I l 1 [ 25 ] ~ ' jftl • . . . . . ~ ta t < i A , iJ . f ' ! iJt'j ~ , ' . " , / ' . . r ; . ~ ' ' ' i ' , ~ " . ' " ~ , r ~ { 7 , . , V , r ; 1 Vv ~ · ~ / . ( , Y . . . . . - Vv \ : ; ' v . . . . . " , . . . . vt . - w You can convert almost any standard house plan to adobe - brick construction . Blueprint plans are a \ - ailable , at the prices shown below , from the University of California . Plan 157 ( typical adobe details , can be used together with any of the complete ­ blueprint plans listed here ) ____________________ . ____ . . . _ . . . . . . __ . . . . . . __ . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 ¢ Plan 159 ( one hedroom , 843 square feet ) . . . . . . . ____ . . __ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 ¢ • Plan 163 ( three bedrooms , 1,300 square feet ) . _ . . . . . . __ . . . . . . __ . . _ . . . . . . . . . __ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 ¢ Plan 7061 ( expansible , house , wood frame ) . : . . . . . . - - . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ . . . __ . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1.00 Plan 7062 ( expansible house , concrete block ) _____________ . . ____ . . . __ . __ . . __ . . ________ . . . . . . . . . . S1.00 Write to : Agricultural Publications 22 Giannini Hall University of California Berkeley 4 , California . Make checks or money orders payable to The Regents of the University of California . Do not send cosh or stomps . j t ' \ " ' ~ , - ' , . The floor plans shown on the followingI ~ , I pages , while not available in detail , may give ! ~ you some . " i­I 1 ' " I : t . • . . ! ' . [ DJ [ uJ LJ EJ ~ I TC . " CrU ( 4 ' · 0 " " , 11 ' - 10 ' / r , -­ i ' ~ - - - - - : - li ; - -­ , 1 \ I ' I - - I , . - . . ' II I Iii : I \ ' 1II I ' : . Ll . V , . . . . . , . · · gc.O , " , I ! > E:DJ'I , < . ) OI1 \ I IIII I : ; te'oO " , Ll ' - Io ' · r ; ' tc ~ - o · ' f tcJ_ ~ art t I , ___ ~ c : ___ L f " ~ l I 1_­I : - : . : . - - - ] / - - I L - T , ( _ __I \ 1 < ; 1 ' - ~ . ALT Po ~ c . . . C ; · o " \ V'OE : Plan for a one - bedroom adobe house , with a floor space of 774 square feet . Small , compact , can be expanded to three bedrooms . Roof may be gabled , flat , or shed type . Doors are placed so traffic does not cross work or living areas . Window location allows space for good arrangement of furniture and equip­ment . [ 28 ] • · f Plan for a 1,120 square - foot · solar house . large window area should face south for heat from the low winter sun . IOverhanging roof protects house from the high summer sun . Car port and extra storage space are provided_ All plumb­ ~ ing is located in one wall between kitchen and bath_ I I I i I . M II JlI . . T [ . , ' . . . . T ( POLA " [ 29 ] ' j . . ~ I I Another solar - type house , with an area of 1,000 square feet . Master bedroom and living - dining area are exposed to the low winter - sun by large windows , while 6 - foot over­hang protects south of house from high summer sun and gives protection to outdoor living area . An evaporative cooler in the chimney allows cool air to be blown into living room or central hall . I • 1 - - -­ 1 . - . . - - - - - . - - . - - - - . . - - t - , ) ) . . / - - - - - - - - - - - - - j -­ _ . _ ~ - . r - _ . J - - - . i - - . - . rv ' - J ~ . [ 30 ] • . . - " - . - . . . . . . . - - . - . , , , . __ ~ _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ - < O . . . . . . . . . _ • • ___ _ Jo . , . __ . • ____0 . r ! J 1 I Three - bedroom house , 1,140 square feet . Principal dimen­ sions are multiples of the 4 - inch and a·inch module , for economy and rapid construction . U - shaped kitchen provides storage and work space . A comiortable dinner area is near a large window . In alternate plan , the ha ll aliows entrance from the rear into any room without going through work­ room or kitchen . 4 , J 1'5 ' " , ~ § / IC ~ , '­ / . ~ ( 1 - ~ ? ' " 0 , ' ( ; ; ; ~ . ? t / ttVi ; CfZ , r , eczP . , u , t'it you will find detailed information ill the fullowing publications : Aller , Paul and Doris . Build Your OWII Adobe . Stanford University Press , 1947 . Stanford University , California . S3.00 . American Bitullluls Co . • " Bitudobc for : \ Iodern Adobe Buildings . " 200 Bush Street . San Frallci ~ co , Califomia . 16 pp . 19;10 . Betts , M . C and Miller , T . A . II . , Hamllled Earth Walls for Building , Fanners ' Bulletin 1500 , l ' . : 3.1L \ . , Supt . of Documents , Washingtoll 2;1 , D.C . 2 - 1 pp . 1937 . 10 ( . Brown , Francis ' V . . publisher . Califomia Home ! ' , Adohe Houses Edition , 315 Sulter Street . San Franci ~ co a , California . : : \ 2 pp . 1919 . 25 ( ' · . Comstock , J [ ugh W'o ' · Post - Adube . " CarJ1lel - by.the - Sea , Califomia . P . O . Box 533 . 1948 , 110 pp . S1.00 . Cullimore , Clarcnce , " Santa Barbara Adohes , " Santa Barham Book Publishing Co . , Santa Barbara , Cali fornia . 191t : , 225 pp . [ 31 ] Eyre , Thomas J . . ~ I . E . , The Phy ~ ical Properties of Adobe l ; scd as a Building Material . The Cniversity of : \ ew Mexico Bulletin 1 \ 0 , 263 , Albuquerque , l \ ew Mexico , 32 pp . , 19 : ) 5 . 25 ( Fenton , F . c . , The F ~ e of Earth as a Building : ' . Iaterial . Bulletin : \ ' 0 . 4L Kansas State College , J'lIanhattan , Kansas . ; ) - 1 pp . , 1 ( H 1 . Glenn , H . E . , Rammed Earth Building Construction . Bulletin i . \ o . 1 , Engineering Experiment Station , Clemson Agricultural College , Clemson , South Carolina . 13 pp . , 1943 . Groben , W . Ellis , Adobe Architecture , Its Design and Comtructioll . U.S.D.A . , Forest Service , U . S . Government Printillg Oilice , Washington , D.C . ; ) ( j pp . , 19 · : JJ . Hansen , Edwin L . . The Suitabilitv of Stabilized Soil for Building : Construction . Bul­letin No . 333 . t'niversity of illinois , Engineering Experillle ; 1t Station , Crbana , Illinois . 4,0 pp . , 19 - H . - } 5 ( ' . Harrington , Edwin Lincoln , L \ dobe as a Constructiun J'lTaterial in Texas . Bul \ P.tin No . 90 , School of Engineering , Texas Engineering Experill1ent Station , College Station , Texas . 36 pp . , 19J5 . Hubbell , Elbert , " Earth Brick Cunstrut'lioll , " Haskell I nstitutL Lawrence , Kamas . llO pp . , 1943 . 50 ( ' . Kirkham , John Edward . How to Build Y ( ) ur Own Home of Earth . Publication 1 \ 0 . 54 , Engineering Exp " riment Statioll , Oklahollla A and ; \ 1 College , StillII ater . Oklahoma , 3 ( j pp . , 1 ( J13 . Long , 1 . D . ( re , ised by L . W . fieuhauer ) , " AduLe Cunstruction , " Bulletin 472 . California l \ gricultural Experiment Stati ( ) n , Cnil ersity of California , Berkeley , 6 - 1 . pp . , frC ( ) - SO \ Tlllber 1916 . Middlcton , G . F . , Earth Wall Con " trlleticlII . Duplicated Documcnt No . 28 . Com­monwealth Experilllental Building Station , P . O . Box 30 . Chatswood , i . \ ' s.W . , 56 pp . , 1919 . 1 " hill in ! , ' . J \ ' liddlcton , G . F . , Build Your House of Earth . Angus and Hobertsoll . Sydney . Aus­tralia . 105 pp . , 19 : J ; · i . About ~ : 2.00 . Miller . T . . A . H . , " . \ dobe or SUIl - Dried Brick for Farm Buildillgs . " ' Farmers ' Bul · letin ] 720 . CoS.D.A . , Supt . of DOCUnlf'llt ; ; , \ Va , . hingtllll 2.3 , D.C . . 13 pp . , J93 ~ . 5 ( ' . Patty , Halph L . , The Helation of Coiloids in SuiI to Its Fay ( ) rable Cse ill Pi : ; : e or Rammed Earth \ \ ' alls . Bulletin : 2l ) ( l . , \ ; , - ricultural Experiment Slation , South Dakota State College , Brooking , . , South Dakota , 2 - 1 · pp . , 1 en6 . Patty , Halph L . , Paints ami Plasters for Hammed Earth \ Vails , Bulletin 336 . Agri­cultural Experimcnt Station , South Dakota Slate College , Brookings . South Dakota , " 10 pp . , 1910 . Patty , Ralph L . . and \ liniull1 , L . \ ' \ ' . , Hamllled Earth \ \ ' alls for Farm Buildings , Bulletin 277 . South Dakota Experiment Station , Brookings , South Dakota , 73 pp . , 1938 . Sehwalen , IIarold C . , Effect of Soil Texture Cron the PhY ~ ical Characteristics of Adobe Bricks , Technical Bulletin i ' : o . 5K College or Agriculture , l - niwr " , ity of Arizona , Tuc ! ' oJ1 . , \ rizona . 22 pp . . 193 : ) . United Natiolls , Adobe and Ranllllcli Earth . HOli , ing and Tmql and Country Plan­ning ; Bulletin : \ 0 . - L Lnited : \ ati ( lIlS , X.Y . , 121 pp . , 1950 . ; 3L ; O . William , : , 1 : : . l'IlcKillley . " Cellladobe : ' Box m . \ \ ' est Lo , ; Angl·j , > s Stati < ln . Los Angdes 25 , California , 32 pp . , 19 · 16 . SLOt ) . [ 32 ] I • " . " ' - - - ~ ' - " " - ' . - - . . . ~ - . . - - _ . _ - - - - . ' - . - " . - " - - ~ " - - - ' - ' - ' " _ ' . J ~ \ ~ ; s an important part 01 your home The following manuals published by the University of California will help you plan and beautify your garden : • Net price Manual 4 - Chrysanthemum Culture in California . 25c Manual 5 - Camellia Culture for the Home Gardener 25c Manual 8 - Fuchsia Culture in the Home Garden 25c : Manual 10 - PIanning the Garden . $ 1.00 Manual12 - Geraniums and Pelargoniums in the Home Garden 25c Manual 13 - Amateur Rose Culture in California 25c Manual l4 - Gladiolus - How to Grow Them in the Home Garden 25c Manual l8 - 0rchids for the California Amateur 25c Make checks or money orders ' payable to The Regents of the University of California . Do not send cash or stamps . Send your order and remittance to Agricultural Publications 22 Giannini Hall University of California Berkeley 4 , California C < ~ " ' ' ' l ' ' ' ' r.r " , ' F.xlrn_lnn . . . . nrk In . " ~ r ; rrlh . . r " ~ n , j Horn . . ~ > nl'lnmir . , ( , , , 1 ] " 11 ; " nf . \ l . , t'OIlt'I ~ " l · " , v . . r ~ . 1 nf ' " " l > f < > . I'I ' . " noi . t - r . ' t " < 1 · ~ tlll ' " [ l ~ l ' ' ' rlm . . . n ' " r . Acrt ~ fll " lro ! cO'Oi > < , : raunr . O \ ~ triDll1 ~ d In hrth . . ran · ' . , of ttl . . Arts or C ( lnrt , . , , ~ 1 ) 1 3 . tay ~ . an , ] Jun'l : 10 , n01 . . , J . i ; o \ r ! ( ' nll . . , I ) ! r . . . . tnr , . al.fnrn.a Arrlcullur , , 1 t , . \ ! " rl ~ lnn ; - ' ' ' ( ' II , · e . . ' . . " , \ • • . I 1 / < c " \ J ~ ' , . - I " If YOU This manual will help you to decide a number of basic und extremely importcmt questions about how and where to build ( or pcrhops not build ) with adobe . If you do decide i'o buiid you'll find the photos and drawings ot con­struction details most helpful . • ' t - PUBLIC SERVICE OFFIC £ - . COLLEGt : OF AGRlCULTU ~ , f : 1 prICe 2Sc UNIY ~ RSITY OF CAUFO : < i - l \ ' \ DAYIS } CAUr - ORi ' - llA