Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the wall, but also horizontally. That is, ensure that the external faces of all pegs are in a
straight line to one another. To achieve this, hammer the first peg into the straw bale wall
at a position relative to the end of the shelving to be fitted. Leave the top of the peg
protruding from the wall approximately 30 mm. Now fit a peg for support of the other
end of the shelving, also leaving it protruding approximately 30 mm. Attach a screw into
the centre of each of these pegs and secure a string line tightly between the two pegs. The
string line will give you both the horizontal and vertical position that the remaining pegs
are to be fitted at.
Establishing the required height
When establishing the height the pegs are to be fitted at, the top of the peg is to be at a
height representing the position of the underside of the shelving, as a timber rail will be
fitted to the pegs onto which the shelving will be fixed.
Applying the first coat of render
Apply the first coat of render as per normal using the palm of the hand to force the
render into the bales. When completed, the render around the pegs should be more in the
bales than coated onto the face of the bales. When the first coat of render is completely
dry, you will apply cob to the area around the peg. Cob is a mixture of straw with render,
the same render that you would use for the first coat of render. Cob is a very 'strawy' mix,
having much more straw than render, thereby giving it an extremely fibrous consistency.
Applying the cob
Wet the surface of the first coat of render prior to applying the cob. Apply the cob mix
over the first coat of render around the pegs in a circular motion so that the pegs are
encircled with the straw of the cob. When dry, this fibrous material will strengthen the
surface of the wall at the peg, thereby reducing the possibility of the render cracking and
allowing the peg to drop. The second coat of render should be applied to the wall so that
the render is level with the surface of the pegs.
The second coat of render
Use a straight piece of timber as a screed from one peg to the next to ensure that the wall
is straight. Remember, if the finished wall is not straight you are going to have to cut the
shelving to the shape of the wall. Once completely dry, wet the wall with water and apply
the final coat of render. This coat of render will cover the surface of the pegs to a depth of
5 to 10 mm.
Fitting a horizontal rail to the pegs to support the shelving
Once the rendering is complete, a horizontal rail is fitted to the wall using screws with
sufficient length to pass through the rail and the render that covers the pegs, and
penetrate the pegs by no less than 30 mm. When fitting the shelving to the rail on the wall
do not hammer nails through the shelving into the rail, as this will break the seal between
the render and the pegs, and generally weaken the render in the vicinity of the pegs. The
shelving should be fitted either by screwing it to the rail or alternatively by using a nail
gun. Don't use a framing gun, use either a fixing gun or brad nailer.
