When you have a foundation the is in what they call "normal soil" (almost never happens around here) you would just dig down to the depth you want, then you have "undisturbed soil", basically it would be compacted and stable. When you have almost anything but normal soil, you have to over dig the depth and then compact lifts of gravel to the desired elevation. By using flowable fill I over dig the depth, then use a laser level to make marks at the elevation I want, then just add the flowable fill to bring the bottom up to the proper elevation. I don't have to add gravel and compact it as I go, so it saves a lot of time and backache.
Once this is done, it is also used as a leveling pad to set up my concrete forms and rebar, this also saves a lot of time as I don't have to "scab" in small pieces to fill voids around the bottom of the forms. Although with the one hole that had some issues, I will have to do a bit of manipulating the flowable fill to make things level. Once I get things formed up and the rebar in there, it will be really obvious how much effort is saved by using the flowable fill.
Today I spent the morning mounting flower boxes on the MIL's shed, then helped set up some new quick disconnect hose fittings for her. Then I went to my Dad's and got some older forms he had used for another project, looks like I can modify them fairly easily. We spent the afternoon figuring out (read as arguing with each other) how they should be assembled, I think we came out with a good compromise, but ultimately I am doing it mostly my way because I am going to be the one doing the actually work. So we got all the long 2x6s cut to length and brought all the form sections inside, I need to cut them down to length and then add some more bracing and extra plywood. I want to pour the lower parts of the foundations (known as the pad) either Friday or the following Monday, then I can pour the upper parts (known as the pier) a few days later. Then I can strip all the forms and start backfilling around the bases. Of course it sounds easy, but I also have conduits to install, ground wires to trench, and a drain that needs to be rerouted with new pipe. It is going to be an interesting couple of weeks, I sure hope I can find some help to go to the site with me, I have completely struck out so far.
