Fill each earthbag to about 80% of its volume through a bottomless bucket or pipe section held in the bag mouth, fold the top over, and set the bag with the fold down against the course below so the wall’s weight locks it shut. Offset each course by half a bag length in running bond, or skip closing the bags and tuck the open end under the next bag in the row.
Part of Earthbag Building
Filling and placing bags is the repeated hand work of an earthbag wall, done at a filling station beside the wall.
The Filling Station Makes Every Bag The Same
A consistent bag is the key to a level course. A form holds the bag mouth open; one person holds the bag and another shovels in fill. Stopping at about 80% leaves a bag that can be closed and that spreads sideways when tamped, rather than an overstuffed sack that will not flatten.
What You Need
- A filling form: a bucket with the bottom cut out, or a short pipe section.
- Prepared fill that passes the ball and ribbon tests; see Fill Materials and Testing.
- Bags, and a shovel for each filler.
Method: Fill, Close, Place
Step 1: Set up the filling station with the form on a stable base and fill within reach.
Step 2: Hold the bag open on the form and scoop fill in. Stop at about 80% of the bag volume.
Step 3: Close the bag by folding the top over. Place it so the fold is down against the course below; the weight of later courses locks the fold shut.
Step 4 (alternative): Leave the bags open. For continuous work, fold the open end under the next bag in the same course. A continuous row of overlapping bags acts almost like tube construction.
Step 5: Offset the course. Shift each course by half a bag length, as in brickwork, so vertical joints never align between courses.
Step 6: Tamp and wire before the next course; see Tamping Technique and Barbed Wire Between Courses.
Common Mistakes
- Overfilling. An overstuffed bag will not tamp flat.
- Fold facing up. The fold opens as the bag is tamped.
- Aligned joints. They create a continuous crack line.
Safety
Lifting filled bags
A bag of damp soil is heavy and the awkward shape invites back injuries. Use two people, or fill the bag in its final position when it is too heavy to lift. Tamping and filling for hours strains hands and backs; rotate jobs.
What’s Next
- Learn next: Fill Ratios and Consistency — getting the mix right
- Combine with: Tools Required — the filling form and tamper