== The Earthbag or "Superadobe" Building Method ==
Many people may be familiar with earthen building methods such as adobe and rammed earth. In Earthbag building, these methods are coupled with the time tested method of building with sand bags. Sand bags have often been used as durable barriers to absorb shock and have proven extremely flood resistant. Earthbags are sacks of earth or insulation that are arranged one row on top of the other to create extremely resilient, often domed, structures. The basic structure looks much like an upturned coiled clay pot.
History
The Earthbag building method was developed into its current state by Persian Architect Nader Khalili
The Materials
Bags
Earth (most types-clay, sand, etc)
Barbed Wire
Gravel (optional)
The Tools
Shovels
Tamping tool
Bricks/weights
Nails/wire
Buckets
Hose
Sheetmetal Slider
Pliers
Ladder
As some of these tools may not be needed in your particular earthbag project, some may also become necessary. A leveling board, hoes for digging and other materials like rubber mallets may come in useful.
Building Tips