Monday, June 20, 2011

Adobe Dome Compression and Water Test

My goal with this test was to understand the mechanical techniques of using the compass method Auroville Earth Institute has listed in their downloadable pdfs. ...and to see: how a dome falls down under water erosion if not protected/stabilized, how quickly it does so, and if it could hold any weight on top.

Warning: before attempting a dome of larger size, make sure you read and understand the information on dome building found at:
http://www.earth-auroville.com/?nav=menu&pg=vault&id1=2&lang_code=en



...one person....


...two people...



...can only get three people, about 350 pounds, on the dome at the same time. I then jumped up and down on it by myself with no damage to the dome (or to me).


....after 10 minutes of simulated rain....


....and what remains after 23 minutes of simulated rain. Pure clay adobe; no cow manure, ashes, asphalt stabilizer, nor cement. Will use a two inch plaster of 10% cement and 90% adobe on final dome.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Adobe Test Dome Finished


....and FINISHED!!!


....Capstone ... or rather, capstones.

...Layer 9.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Test Adobe Dome and Garden

....the sand garden.

.....the buried cane grass garden.



....7th layer of brick


....5th Layer of adobe brick


....3rd Layer using a method similar to Auroville Earth Institute's methods.