What Building Mistakes/Issues to look out for??

[Gray Wolf]

Well you can see some of the documentation at OSRlivong.org  and there are plenty of videos on YouTube in Portugese.  Search for tijolo ecological, or CEB press.  

Portugese?!?      

Your link is wrong.  OSRlivong.org?  You meant to type OSRliving.org        

You brought it up.      You do the search and give us some links that work.  
When you find one, use the \"Insert Hyperlink\" tool above to insert a clickable link like I did above.  

[OldManBill]

I never really cared for wiki, but it does have a bit of interesting information. Using cement would improve things. Of course, using construction grade cement (5000/psi) (with added steel or fiberglass) to make your blocks would be just as good, but more expensive. I guess it depends upon if you could get it there.

Anyway, a bit of information about CEB.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_earth_block

[hoppin john]

all this  BS about hallow blocks is  crap, i know  of  houses over  one  hundred years  old  still standing, and  all this  about  the  cement  to sand  ratio if  you put  rebar every 3 feet horizontal , and  vertical and  filled  with cement  it  is  only a  form, after  the  cement  dries  you can chip the  block off and  it  is  solid  concrete, if  you want to  waist  money i guarantee there  will be  someone  to take  it, all of  these arm chair  engineers are  just  that, build  the  dam house and  get  on with your  life, i have  never  heard  of  a  cement  block house  falling  down her  in Davao, and  we  have  earth quakes all the  time  the  post  and  beam will work

[Murphy]

Lot of talk about concrete.
We are looking at building a decent nippa hut.
I mean good size and decent modern additions.....bathroom and kitchen...most of the money will go there.
Was hoping to find some good examples on this thread ...but most homes here are big  and spendy.

http://www.bambooliving.com/

That website is the best I found so far.....never mind those prices though.

I have a lot of research on this site to do....thanks for the info and ideas.

Murph

[fred]

all this  BS about hallow blocks is  crap, i know  of  houses over  one  hundred years  old  still standing, and  all this  about  the  cement  to sand  ratio if  you put  rebar every 3 feet horizontal , and  vertical and  filled  with cement  it  is  only a  form, after  the  cement  dries  you can chip the  block off and  it  is  solid  concrete, if  you want to  waist  money i guarantee there  will be  someone  to take  it, all of  these arm chair  engineers are  just  that, build  the  dam house and  get  on with your  life, i have  never  heard  of  a  cement  block house  falling  down her  in Davao, and  we  have  earth quakes all the  time  the  post  and  beam will work

Agreed. The problem is that many westerners think that Filipino buildings must be dodgy by default and then go on to give their superior suggestions on how to build a house here.
BTW.. I`m not saying that Filipino`s do not build dodgy cement structures..( I have seen a few that have fallen down here in Bohol recently)
The ones that were built in the back woods without a building permit do stand up for years its true but after what I have seen here just recently,I dont want to be in one during a 7.2!!