If someone just stacked rocks with mortar in between at least a foot thick...more....?

Question

would it be a safe, load-bearing wall? I saw a house once that was stone but it looked like it was more throw-together than most stone houses. I was just wondering if someone could build a decent wall without "fitting" stone together.

Answer 1

I heard about some people who did this a lot, they built the pyramids, and another group built the Mayan temples of course they didn't have to deal with building codes, and the contractor had better not cut corners.

Answer 2

Good question. If you just stacked rocks with mortar in between at least a foot thick, it would not be a safe, load-bearing wall, in my opinion, because when rocks, stones, bricks, are fitted together as best as possible, this interlocking and overlapping helps add strength to the wall. Please note, I am not a mason by profession. But I have seen first-hand how different rock-and-mortar, brick-and-mortar walls hold up or collapse in earthquakes. Interlocked brickwork or stonework survive a lot better.

You don't say how high your wall is going to be. If it is just a couple feet high, like for a low fence, it probably wouldn't matter too much. But if it is retaining wall or a load-bearing wall, you need to get the best internal strength you can, or risk collapse. As you know, the taller the wall, the heavier it is and the more the downward pressure of the weight is pushing on your 'pile of rocks and mortar' to rip it apart.

Also, a wall one-foot thick sounds good, but remember that the higher the wall, the greater the doward force will be, and therefore, the thicker the wall would need to be.

May I suggest that if you are working on a serious project, like building a house, a fireplace, a wall (inside or outside), you would be well-served to consult with a mason. If you can't do that, then please check out some really good self-help books on the art of masonry.

Best of luck to you. May your bricks be set level and true!

Answer 3

Complex problem: first, round stones aren't going to be stable even in mortar. Most of the strength of a good wall will be in the stone and the way it is laid with a just right layer of mortar to glue it together. Some thing to consider is a 'slip form' a length of parallel walls that you infill with rocks and mortar then drag to next section. This is going to be a LOT OF WORK!!! Volunteer to help someone else for a weekend then see if you still want to try this. I've heard of people going crazy before they finished a rock house . No matter what you read, or are told this is going to be tougher than you think. talk to a building inspector before you start. Mother Earth news, Harrowsmith are good sources of info, and Mother used to have classes in this sort of stuff. Museums of the country life sort might have a resource person too, or a work bee to learn the skill

Answer 4

all of the old stone foundations here in pennsylvania are laid with cut sandstone. usually 10 in. square by what ever length to keep a decent bond. they are also double faced, that is 20 in. thick. they are dressed on the whole interior side and above ground on the outside. below grade on the outside coursing i have seen some pretty rough work. but still functional. they were constructed without footings . they would dig till they hit hardpan and start laying.some of these houses are 100 yrs. old and doing fine. i have never heard of laying stone with concrete. portland cement ,yes even type s motar. but concrete even with pea gravel sounds like a real pain unless you are laying 2 in. joints and this is a no no. good stonework has joints 3/4 of an inch to an in. much easier without the gravel. i dont think i would build a load bearing wall just 12 in. thick...just my opinion

Answer 5

After posting this and reading what has been, saidI thought I would add this little info ahead of what I had said.
There are buildings made from rock that are several hundred years old. They are still stand \ing and solid, because they used cement.
Now back to where I was to start with.
I intend on using rock for my basement and fireplaces for a log home.
You didn't say what type of rock, but I will give you the fundamentals for whatever kind of rock you choose to use,

To start with, any rock you use needs to be cleaned. You can lay them out and use a pressure washer to clean them but it they aren't clean, concrete will not stick properly and they will start falling apart sooner or later. Done correct, it will still be there when your great great great, grandkids are here. Done wrong, Oh well.
Second, Use Portland cement for the mortar. Just don't mix much gravel with it. Gravel will bake it harder to get a nice finish as you are laying them.
All gravel is for is to stretch out the concrete to start with.
You can mix two batches while laying them. One with and one without. Use the mix with them for the base as you lay them and the without to face them up.
I am going to use quarry rock, which is harder than concrete to start with. And I think they are pretty. Some people wants field stone but they are a softer rock, so it you use them, and are going any height at all, and want to count on it for support, I would go at least 16 inches.
With quarry rock, which is what they min concrete anyway, you will actually have a 12" solid concrete wall, if you make sure they are clean and there are no voids in it as you lay them.
I will make a couple or 3 move-able forms from 4' x 8' sheets of 3/4"plywood. 2" x 4"'s around the perimeter and 1 down the middle of them. Stake them and brace them good every time you move them.
I will use these for the outside and below ground level. At ground level I will face both sides.
I am going to call it mortar, which is what you will be using it as, but as I said, use concrete.
Throw the mortar in there up against the form and on top of each rock good and the just set the rock in place.Wiggle it somewhat to make sure it sets in good, and pull a string line to face them with to keep it fairly straight.
"YOU CANNOT KEEP IT AS STRAIGHT AS BLOCK" but that is just part of the appeal. But still try to stay as straight as you can by the nine.
You also need to use little rocks on the back side to fill voids to save on the mortar any where you can or it will cost a lot more for the mortar. Even on the face, a small rock looks better than a big blotch on concrete.
This is not hard to do, except they are heavy as all get out, lol, but if you have any problems or need any more advice, E-mail me and I will give you my number so you can call and I will walk you threw it.
Good luck and God Bless
Dennis

Answer 6

You could certainly build a load bearing wall with no pattern to the laying process, and it would hold for awhile. However deterioration that natural occurs will negate any load bearing capabilities. Natural deterioration of cement occurs in all buildings however a uniform placement of stone or block allows for gradual settling. no design process and you could have an area where a critical weak point would occur. A retaining wall for example will hold for awhile say 10-20 years but at some point it will blow out at critical point. On a foundation wall uneven settlement can occur. So to answer you question yes but not recommended. Also you would have to submit any plans to you local building commission and would have to have engineer approval.

Answer 7

I've never built a house with rocks, but have built high retaining walls. Like any structure, you will need proper trench footings, size dependend on weight to carry and local regulations. as for the rocks, there is no reason why they have to match if cemented, but the wall width must be kept consistent, and rocks let "find their place" in the concrete. There are also wire mesh inserts to bury in cement for strength. when completed, use a damp sponge to mould and smooth exposed concrete, Looks great!

Answer 8

A structural wall of reinforced concrete faced with stone might be a good way to get the strength and look you want. I have a problem using mortar where strength is needed.

Answer 9

100 years ago, before Cement Blocks, this method of constructing a basement was fairly common, not sure about Mortar, could be you would need Cement . When it comes to a house, most all of this work is a Veneer over a wood frame.

Answer 10

Yes. Chairman Mao also had everyone dress in the same gray pajamas. Socialism is all about collectivism. Individuality of any sort is seen as a threat to the system as a whole. Decisions are made based on general benefit not on individual need. Everyone becomes the same like bricks. Everyone is interchangeable, like bricks. There is no creativity, no ingenuity, no independent though, no innovation. It is the antithesis of the American way. *