This is a great video Jim! I just came across it today and is an excellent explanation or rubble filled trenches. It’s great to see you and Austin doing so much for the the earth building community.
Jim, another great video. I did not understand the rebar usage since over time, it oxidizes and causes concrete degradation. I am sure those ancient buildings don't have it. Would you suggest a vapor barrier under and on the sides of the concrete footer to mitigate moisture path to foundation block courses? Would like to see you upload one, addressing a double wall construction method which would accommodate insulation (like rock wool) in the exterior block walls. Keep 'em coming.
Great video, however your concrete will crack because the rebar will eventually rust, then expand and spawl from inside out and water will then seep into the cracks thru the concrete. If it weren't for inspections would you opt for no rebar? I'm sure you're familiar with basalt rebar, why not use basalt alternative?
First time I've seen this. Looks cool. We have our menu of things we do, and sometimes we ignore what stands for 100+ years. I saw a home in upstate NY, that was selling cheap, and I looked under the home to see what the "foundation" was for most of the home. The home sat on river stones, and was about 1" above a giant rock slab (part of the mountain). Weird. it has a small basement in the middle, I would theorize, that kept the entire home from sliding down the mountain. The joists, were 2x4's, supporting the home with no insulation under the home (ouch).
By using the 2x4 'outriggers', it looks like it would be very difficult to set level height along a long footing. Typically, hammering the stakes is used to make adjustments to the forms. With this system you'd have to remove or add aggregate under each outrigger which could take a long time. Is this really the best way?
Did you line the trench with anything? Landscape fabric? When you placed the drain did it go on the absolute bottom or did you place a layer of rock first?
This is a concern in conventional building with balloon framing & light, hollow walls, but not in natural building with wall materials like cob, adobe, or earth block because of the sheer weight/bulk of the walls. It's another reason that the rubble trench foundation is a good choice as well - the walls are HEAVY.
love the info. wish the camera guy would wake up and point the camera where bro is pointing or talking about instead of keeping it on the subject... stay alert camera. man...when the bro is pointing and discussing and trying to show us (the audience) something ALLOW HIM TO SHOW US!!!
