 Re: Halves or thirds... that is the question
It would also depend on what direction the bricks are laid...if the 3 inch face is inside the oven or if the 4.5 inch face is inside the oven. In the first case the joints will be smaller and the bricks will be easier to lay but I don't think it changes the physics of the structure since the weight of the ring would be the same in the latter case the weight of the ring would be about one third lighter and the thermal mass at the top of the dome about one third less also depending upon the finish. My propostition for my next oven build will most likely be to rip bricks to approx. 6 inches for the lowest courses, 4.5 inches for the middle courses and the remaining approx. 3 inch pieces from the first cuts to finish the top(laying all with 4.5 inch face to the inside). Structurally it would load the haunches of the dome and make it a bit more stable than normal.
Really good thinking going on in this forum!!!
Best
Dutch
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