Basics of Earthbag Buildings

In my search for alternative housing construction methods, I came across this website: http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/ which presented a method that had never crossed my mind!

Basically, it's using sand bags (not necessarily filled with sand) to build a structure. Instead of using the old timey burlap bags, you use Polypropylene bags or tubes that are durable, won't rot and are super strong. They are either the rectangle that you're familiar with, or tubes that are long and thin, like snakes. Easy to mold into your pattern, plus, these bags are actually quite cheap (you'd need to calculate how many to get and buy in bulk - probably - with needing extra - probably).

You fill these bags with sand, gravel, rice hulls, or whatever else you have. Your local gravel and sand place might have "reject sand" which is sand that doesn't meet their standards. It's possible to get it for just a buck or two per ton (plus, of course, delivery fees). Especially good would be to dig your hole for your new home, and use that dirt to fill your bags. Then you stack the bags a certain way (the above noted website has pictures). Looks like domes are the best way to go.

You would still want to create interior walls, and add some kind of stucco or siding to the outside to weather-proof and bug-proof but this still looks like a really smart alternative.

Here are some links I found on the above site of people's stories:
-http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/projects/hermit.htm
-http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/projects/kiva.htm
-http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/articles/honeyhouse.htm
-http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/projects/earthdomehouse.htm
-http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/projects/angel.htm
-http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/projects/hut.htm

I can't wait to try this out! Okay, I'll have to wait... until we get our homestead, but still... amazing!

Does anyone have experience using this method?

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