Off Grid Earthbag workshop project part 3 soil test

[@TheDevinhanson]

If you haven't yet, you should look at My Little Homestead, particularly their studio building. They built too fast and the bags didn't dry out enough so they had sagging walls. It's something you might want to consider, especially since you're in a climate that's a lot more damp than Arizona.

[@reneep9968]

Devin Hanson I’ve made that suggestion before. I really enjoy there channel.

[@Schmogel92]

After binge watching basically your entire channel this is the first new video to show up in my subscription feed and I'm super excited 😀

[@KrisHarbour]

Nice one, its not the most amazing video, just going through the process of planning at the moment. so lots of numbers and tests.

[@Schmogel92]

Kris Harbour don't worry, the planning itself is very interesting to watch, very inspiring stuff

[@JamesYoung61]

It is great to see all the steps that you go through planning these thing prior to starting the project, proper planning prevents p*** poor performance.

[@swirlgalaxy]

It's going to be an "all hands on deck" when the bag filling starts! If I was in the UK, I'd love to come & help with planting and bag filling! Cheers Kris & love your plans!

[@Cody_Ramer]

Rewatching these old videos and man you have nice digable dirt there! If I want to dig a hole on my place I need to use a pickaxe first!

[@H1TM4Nx1080p]

Kris Harbour nice Video look you on youtube since your First Video greetings from Germany

[@JohnDobak]

I'm interested in seeing more about the workshop and its design. Keep up the good work.

[@punkbloater]

When you start digging, be on the lookout for viking tresure i hear the brittish isles are riddled with them. ;)

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

Stay safe and warm Kris.... Hope the current weather forecast doesn't infiltrate the homestead. Its all looking splendiferous.

[@vannerdherd]

I guess it is good to overanalyze it, you don't want it failing 10 yrs from now, enjoy your vlogs as always

[@buttercups711]

👍 great video. Looking forward to seeing next one. Looking good 😉

[@Crewsy]

Looks like your bag pounder needs a little work. 😉 Glad to see things are progressing Kris and it’s great to see your fill material is usable as is. Your ideas for a deadman or 3 should improve the strength of the already quite strong wall since it’s round and already very strong but since that wall is one of the straighter walls it will be a great addition. I am looking forward to your progress.

[@jamespotter936]

Hi Kris. This will be a great project. Have you looked into using automobile tires full of dirt in place of earth bags? It seems to be pretty popular alternative building material over here.

[@SnowinSummer37]

Well done and very educational too! Thank you.

[@sjoerdschaafsma9523]

Wow love the DIY style you have and the things you build. Great minds only needs imagination and 2 right hands ;) (and now and then some help.) Do you consider that when the bags are shrinking during build the weight of the wall is pushing down (even after the build). And if you keep some moisture in it, it will sort a self heal cracks in the clay.

[@francistheodorecatte]

just dig a ditch around the building that's a few feet deep, line the bottom with garden fabric, fill it with 2" screened gravel (no sand), and cover it back over with low-clay topsoil. it's a great passive way to lower the moisture content around a foundation.

[@abefrohman1759]

I really enjoy your channel, keep up the good work. 👍👍👍

[@JamieDPS]

Contraction inside bags will be less. Adding straw to the cob mix changes the level of contraction. That looks like an excellent soil for earth bags!

[@Ana_crusis]

if it didn't have straw it wouldn't be cob

[@laggytim]

Hope the snow hasn't been to much of a problem for you. I fled Cardiff on Thursday back to Manchester but I've seen how bad it was in the city.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

These are amazing models and the detail that goes into your preparation and planning is stunning. How do you go about getting planning permission and building regs for a building like this? Or does it not matter?

[@wetdedstuocm]

I never would have thought filling a bag full of dirt was so involved. As far as drainage around the building have you thought of a French Drain they work very well and as you are on a slope even better you can run tailings away from the building a whole lot easier..

[@hallenw]

Have you thought about using shellac on the outside of your house? Oiling works as well but requires more maintenance.

[@hollyleary8769]

How do you manage bureaucratic issues? Do you consult engineers and get building permits, or just build and hope to stay under the radar? Universal Building Codes aside, local governments can be so difficult. This seems to be a large obstacle in many places, and I would be heartbroken to put so much work into something only to be forced to tear it down later.

[@reneep9968]

Really smart! Blessings...

[@gazza2963]

Getting excited for you Kris. Am still on track to come down and help towards the end of march, ish. You videos always leave me inspired. i so wish you had filmed your brainstorming when you went to lamas. Your videos are like a suspense drama, they leave me with so many questions. In other earthbag videos i have seen, people tend to have the under ground layer wrapped in a tarp to act like a vapour/water barrier. Is this part of your plan for all the walls that will be part under ground? like the sound of the Dead man cables, maybe extending them to tie into the back wall of the metal work shop, also maybe for extra security a double layer retaining wall? Love to hear why you want this project on a 2 tears and why you chose not to have the 2 work shops side by side? hope the Snow hasn't effect you much there mate

[@KrisHarbour]

Hi Gary, thats great, im not sure how many trees will need planting by then but we can find something to do for sure. i will be filling the bottom bags with gravel so moister wont wick up. and it will be quite dry by the wall because of the roof and the overhang. but i might still use some EPDM rubber as a damp proof course as well. im glad you are enjoying the drama :D and i will be happy to answer your questions when you visit.

[@scottmcintosh2988]

If you made another round house would you consider vertical logs instead of the fire wood style ? SCOTT from New Hampshire USA . Great Job

[@balista9831]

fascinating, thanks for sharing.

[@marcelsarnecki689]

Would mixing some straw in with the soil help strengthen the building?

[@MmeHyraelle]

I presume fibers could act as rebar yes. Isn't it done elsewhere too?

[@Bunefoo401]

I just saw a show on DIY here in the States. They used some kind of a lava rock-type fill. I believe they said it has a higher “R” value ... is there any difference between earth/clay and this lava type filler, do you think? I’ve binge watched your videos on your roundhouse and shed last couple of days. Not sure I can wait for periodic updates, lol. By 5e way, are the 2videos on bowl carvings the only ones you have? Your house, your shed and your bowls are all amazing. Wish I could come over there and be a part of a workshop to help you build the newest addition. Keep up the great work, you’re an inspiration.

[@zigggyyyc7342]

Cant wait to see how this turns out. What will be the width of the bags you will use on the build?

[@____________________________.x]

I noticed your panels are being shaded by the trees, would it be possible to elevate them or is this not much of an issue?

[@patmurphy389]

if it's clay, it is probably good for saffron bulbs kris!!!

[@oi394]

love your videos. what king of land did you buy and have you apply for any planning permissions? cheers

[@ChuckUnderFire]

So is the plan to build the whole structure in the same way you made the foundation of the round house? Covered with lime and all?

[@KrisHarbour]

yeah for the bulk of it. but there will be timber framing as well.

[@ezeeposse1]

Chris - nice idea. Several suggestions to offer both for ease and convenience. 1 - In Mexico they work with clay brick called adobe - simple wooden mould that you can fill up and mass produce up to 300 bricks a day and sun dry. ( they build three storey structures out of these brick so they must be sturdy. ( check out adobe brick on youtube) 2 - If you mix in a 10 or 20 % cement into you mix before bagging - the likelihood is your bags would dry solid and definitely provide you with a firmer support wall. ( I'm thinking more in the lines of support buttresses as in the Gothic style hence eliminating the need for a dead man cable) 3 - wouldn't it then be a more sound idea to slope all your rooftops of the model in the same downward sloping fashion, thereby cancelling out the need for a "drainage moat" right around your structure. ( be funneling all the run off in one direction you then cancel out the need for drainage AND have the chance to create a rainwater caption center) humble me merely suggesting - marvelling at your amazing methodology and train of thought

[@DarrenPoulson]

Have you thought about using tyres instead of bags? Very common for earthships, tho no idea how easy they are to get hold of in the UK.

[@laurahodger7184]

Darren Poulson they are very easy to get how of, the problem occurs when it comes to the "authorities"

[@CMCrockett]

That chunk of wood, signed, is a "Patreon Giveaway!" waiting to happen.

[@NirvEnd]

I know it would be killer but on that lower wall that will have stone in it. It would look amazing to have that whole level against the ground be stone. Probably not practical but it would look good I think.

[@MichaelRyanVlogs]

I must have missed a few vids cause i dont see dot anymore. ☹

[@johnloyd3996]

How you getting on Kris in all this snow?? Keeping well I hope :-)

[@KrisHarbour]

yeah not to bad, got myself some new wheels..... an old Mitsubishi delica 4x4 so im not stuck the thing is a beast. but the hydro is having trouble in the low temps. i had -7 here. but it starting to warm up now so all is good.

[@johnloyd3996]

Good to hear mate, take it you got the old wood burner on! :-)

[@anahata9936]

Genius

[@caroleberthier]

ana hata Ii

[@samba3403]

The deeper you go the better the clay, you might just have to much top sandy soil in the mix next time you have your excavator going dig a sample hole a bit deeper. You will have a better clay deeper down.

[@frenchiedekent8572]

What about a French drain around the building and let it run into the brook 😉

[@Graeme408]

what about adding bentonite or a cementacious product?

[@marlenewulf95]

Is there a limit to the number of comments you can leave in a row? It seems to be limiting me to two. Sorry. Anyway, my suggestions for a name for your new workshop are: “earthshop” (since it’s a workshop with earthship elements), “earthshipshop”, for a real mouthful, and “shipshop”, because it combines the two words alliteratively and it sounds like “shipshape”, which you always are! There.

[@phillip48ful]

👍

[@rjk69]

Where is all the snow!!!

[@marlenewulf95]

Oops, my first one did not send. It was, “ How about calling it “earthshop” since it’s a workshop and has earthship elements.”

[@blackbway]

where you affected by the beast from the east?

[@bryine.willis8683]

* ok, great...

[@lewcov88]

another great video, but glad you realised that much shrinkage is too much, just think 14% is fine when its small, but 14% over ten foot would really miss you up

[@AB-zn7di]

Can I visit your place please? I'm guessing you are offering a work & stay deal? I'll drive from London on motorbike. I'll stay in local airbnb perhaps, unless you charge for camping. I'm watching many youtube videos on all aspects of sustainable living, gardening, building, sourcing. I've got £20k to buy a small piece of land somewhere

[@KrisHarbour]

i am accepting volunteers this summer. the workshop project is on hold at the moment due to lack of stone. but in two months there will be lots going on. and yes people will be free to camp

[@marlenewulf95]

How about calling it “earthshop”, since it’s a workshop and has earthship elements?

[@candisbrendel7396]

9 BAGS SOIL, ONE BAG CEMENT THAT WILL MAKE IT STRNGER BY WAY MORE. EVEN WITH THE RAMMED EARTH SYSTEM, JUST SAYING OLD ONE LEGGED JOSEPH T RETIRED NAVY

[@frodehau]

You have as you say not that much topsoil, but the agregate in the subsoil means that you have microbial life down there. It's mostly fungi that makes the soil clump together in aggregates, and as you might know, fungi is important as it extends the roots of plants. So the potential for getting decent harvests is absolutely there.

[@williamwalter8554]

Hi Kris, Boring tree planting videos, NEVER! Maybe spice it up with time lapse a whole days work condensed into 2 minutes. Cheers, Bill

[@hylq126]

Hey Kris. Wow, just wow. I'm really impressed by your works and the way you can look far ahead in your planning. It's even amazing the way you calculated the power outcome of the Micro Hydro. I have just one question, in your roundhouse vids, your girlfriend work with you, but i havent seen her since a long time. Did you two split up and was that because of the pressure of the building or is she just not a fan of being on screen? Either way, i admire your work and the way you try to be responsible for nature. you did earn yourself a subriber and keep up the good work :)

[@KrisHarbour]

Yes we split up. we wanted different things in the end so i continued alone. i do however have a new girlfriend. but she wont be appearing in the videos.

[@hylq126]

Kris Harbour So sorry to hear that. And sorry for asking such a personal question. But i Wish you all the best!

[@ratgreen]

KZbin is playing up, didnt see this in my subscriptions

[@Strange-Viking]

ratgreen thats bcos google is starting to be nastier day by day

[@GSFJAY]

Hi Kris been a subscriber since the beginning when you was making the door! I wouldn't mind helping you plant some trees. I'm in Aberdare so if your not to far I might venture to you. If you want to pm me id gladly help. Thanks

[@KrisHarbour]

Ah cool, well you are only about 40 miles from me. any idea when you would want to come?

[@GSFJAY]

Kris Harbour well I have been snowed in last couple of days maybe next weekend?

[@marlenewulf95]

Or, if you want a mouthful, “earthshipshop”?

[@kalilaelias7820]

i watch u all time u are aamazing .. but who is WE u talk about all the time

[@KrisHarbour]

Us :) me and you lot. I like to think it makes it sound like we are doing it together. but mostly im doing things alone.

[@belesariius]

oo hannah 's gonna give you a good kickin :P

[@Crewsy]

When you’re alone as much as Kris is you are bound to have imaginary friends. 😜

[@kalilaelias7820]

awww u are so sweet and I am totally there with u young man all the way

[@Coverly]

If you have that much clay to work with, are you tempted to change the plan & build using homemade bricks? kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4rFhH6Vj7p1Y8k

[@marlenewulf95]

Or just ‘shipshop, for short...

[@Rexism7]

:)

[@PerthPete1]

Pure Living for Life have a buttress on the up hill side of their sub ground level foundations

[@stokespen700]

I wouldn't take any construction advice from them

[@nickharvey5149]

Hear hear - if what they put on their channel is even a vague reflection of reality (which I'm beginning to doubt!!)

[@PerthPete1]

The buttress was included because their engineer/architect required it, a design requirement, not a PLL decision.

[@jakobrebeki]

hope you got my Email OK....

[@DukeOfChirk]

Two questions. Did the board you conducted the experiment on actually actively pull moisture from the mud oblong you tested? (I can see the damp area inside the outline you drew when you lifted the block), and does this make any difference to your calculations? And the second question is if, as you believe, the mud is suitable as a cob mix with no further working, will you revisit your decision on never using that building method again? Thanks for the video - interesting stuff.....

[@PeacefulCountryLife]

Nope, it got lost in translation

[@truly1676]

Kris and Hannah rolling in the clay kissing....😏❤️❤️❤️❤️