Bricks in a Wall

Workflow

Based on 8 distinct CEB builds at Factor e Farm, we are concluding that string leveling does not work in an extreme build scenario. Another rapid build technique must be used. Here are our current requirements:

• Full-time slurry mixer for slurry prep. Preferred route is a 55 gallon drum, with earth auger as the mixer. Drills are ok, but they wear out. Drum has a ball valve connected via a Uniseal.
• Backing
• For Basket Technique, we use basalt fiber mesh or regular stucco mesh. Mesh goes around apertures, which must have an accommodation for mesh. See Earthquake Construction.

Volume and Count

OSE bricks are 4x6x12 inches. Stacked at 1 foot thickness, there are 32 sq ft x 6 bricks per sf so 192 bricks per wall. Counting extras for defects, we may say 200 bricks per wall. Thus, the total number of bricks for the Seed Eco-Home is 27x200=5400 bricks.

Brick requirement specification is more relevant if measured per cubic foot. If brick height is uneven, then we want to talk about the cubic feet of block required.

108 feet of wall for the Seed Eco-Home means 27 wall sections. + 11 framed wall sections. Total block is 27*32 cubic feet - of 864 cubic feet.

Extras

For a 4' wall section, if a last brick does not fit, partial bricks should be made. The thinnest bricks can be as thin as 1.5". Exact number of 1.5", 2", and 3" bricks should be _______, ______, and ______ respectively. This is based on the number of interfaces with framed modules.

In the last case scenario, bricks can be cut. But this is not advised, as that takes time, and does not fit well in a rapid build. It should be done only as a last resort.