Taking a cordwood workshop is one of the best ways to learn the ins & outs of cordwood masonry construction. Valuable information is passed on, questions and answer sessions are important to cement down cordwood concepts and the hands on portion becomes the bread and butter of how to build a cordwood building.
The host & family with timber frame mallet
The interaction between attendees is not to be overlooked. At our last workshop we had a doctor, lawyer, judge, police officer, vet, pianist, three general contractors, three teachers, a factory worker, a biker and a host of homemakers. The give and take was amazing. Friendships were formed and a cordwood blog group was organized to help keep in touch.
Here is a link to the workshop in Custer, WI. The project was the cordwood infill of a Colonial Hall & Parlor style timberframe which was modeled after the first timberframe home in the US. The cordwood infill was 17″ northern white cedar with a Lime Putty Mortar mix. Lime Putty Mortar uses only sand and Type S builders lime which has been hydrated for 5 days. Similar to how the good ol Roman’s built their buildings.
http://www.daycreek.com/dc/asp/forum2002/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=2&TopicID=2036&PagePosition=1
We will be teaching a cordwood workshop in Hendersonville, NC on Oct. 10-11, 2009 at the home of the editor of Backhome Magazine. The project will be the 18″ cordwood infilling of a post and beam frame greenhouse. The link to the registration form is athttp://daycreek.com/dc/pdf/Cordwood%20Workshop%20Asheville,%20NC%202009.pdf
Richard Flatau
Cordwood Construction Resources, LLC
W4837 Schulz Spur Dr
Merrill, WI 54452
flato@aol.com
www.daycreek.com/flatau
715-212-2870
Cordwood Information and books
http://www.daycreek.com/dc/html/dcrflatau3.htm
The Colonial Hall & Parlor Timber Frame using 18 ' Tamarack & Pine
The diverse and intelligent crew at the Custer, WI Cordwood Workshop in August 2009
Timber frame with stackwall corners using lime putty mortar & cedar. Anne takes a break after a hard days cordwooding.
Cordwood Information and books
http://www.daycreek.com/dc/html/dcrflatau3.htm
Tags: Chapter 9 - Cordwood
Own/ built a single story cordwood home.
Family is growing and we need a second floor.
What’s your thoughts on second floor live load and stick framed walls on top of existing cordwood walls in regards to compression strength?
FYI we are not timber framed only cordwood.
If you are going to add on (and add up) on a load bearing cordwood wall, there is actually no way to tell if it will hold the weight of a second story (which, as you know, is why the newer cordwood homes are mostly built with a post and beam framework). The only way to know for sure would be to take a sample of the mortar and have it tested for compression strength and then estimate the weight you plan to put upon the existing structure.
The only other suggestion I would have would be to add on the ground floor, following the roof line (if possible), using a post and beam framework. This would be relatively easily attached to your existing cordwood structure. If you have some pictures you could share, I could perhaps give a more thorough answer? If you would like to pursue this send your pix to Flato@aol.com and summarize this Q & A. All the best, -Richard Flatau http://www.cordwoodconstruction.org