Ideally we should have 80mm minimum cover over the frame timbers. An earlier issue with the slab set out left the frame 50mm from the internal wall and 160mm from the outer wall instead of being in the centre. We have had to come up with ways of ensuring the hempcrete will stay in place with only 50mm cover.
For the regular studs, we have chosen to tamp the hempcrete tighter on the inside to increase the strength. However the triple studs at the door and window openings had us worried. The first approach we used was to staple some bamboo flower poles in a lattice up the stud. It was time consuming, especially without a power staple gun.
At the training workshop, reo chairs for supporting reo mesh were suggested. However, there are usually more than 50mm thick. A search of Google Images for similar products turned up reo "fastwheels". Packing the hempcrete around both sides of these discs will hopefully keep the hempcrete attached over these difficult spots.
The portal frame around the north facing windows are even wider, with only 80mm cover and the big LVL's are also a challenge. We will need to use this solution in those places as well and maybe think up some extra solutions as well.
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| Fastwheels around the triple stud |
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| Jules installing formwork in the window frames |
With so much hempcrete to mix and place, we needed to speed things up. Time to call in Nick and Jules. Half a day's work and most of the window and door frames are framed out with the left over brace boards delivered with the frames used for the vertical forms and particle board used for the headers.
I wondered whether the OSB would be too thin at 6mm. We may have to shape the opening a little, but I think it will help ensure a good airtight fit for the windows and doors.
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| A length of hempcrete wall, 2.4m high. This will be our very well insulated pantry! |
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