vegar
Well-known member
This is one cool build. 
And it makes me wonder if I need a overhead crane
And it makes me wonder if I need a overhead crane 
The Concrete Underground
- Thread starter ConCretin
- Start date
As expected, it rained all day long. The boys gutted it out and managed to place some footing for the house basement.
Since we knew rain was coming, we had a sump and pump in place, which kept the water at bay long enough to get the footing in.
The wide section of footing is for the 24" thick wall, which will act as the counterweight to the master bedroom cantilever.
Weather tomorrow is supposed to be a bit better so we should be able to finish up the excavation and start wall forms.
Since we knew rain was coming, we had a sump and pump in place, which kept the water at bay long enough to get the footing in.
The wide section of footing is for the 24" thick wall, which will act as the counterweight to the master bedroom cantilever.
Weather tomorrow is supposed to be a bit better so we should be able to finish up the excavation and start wall forms.
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Thanks Boosted1
We are just starting to figure that out. The exterior cladding will be cement board rain screen, which comes in a variety of colors. We may use integral color the exposed architectural concrete as well
This is one cool build.
You do
just went tru the whole post n WOW man so far, the model will defo do no justice to the final build....LOVE IT....this is one i will keep an eye on.....id say it will cost you a few quid when its finally finished....
Thanks Aaron. The quids are adding up rapidly.
bluesman2a
Well-known member
Wow...
Simply A-Frikken-Mazing.
I thought I had a lot of concrete at my place (about 100 cubes worth of retaining wall). Most of my junk would fit into your "little retaining wall".
After my experience my wife and I will often look at one another when we are out and about and point at a large concrete wall at like a shopping center and say "I *know* that was expensive!!!"
By that measure, I applaud you for doing something different and pushing the boundaries, sir!!!
Simply A-Frikken-Mazing.
I thought I had a lot of concrete at my place (about 100 cubes worth of retaining wall). Most of my junk would fit into your "little retaining wall".
After my experience my wife and I will often look at one another when we are out and about and point at a large concrete wall at like a shopping center and say "I *know* that was expensive!!!"
By that measure, I applaud you for doing something different and pushing the boundaries, sir!!!
bggrnchvy
Well-known member
Excellent build, I love the style and execution thus far.
A W12x28 beam is a 12" tall I beam with squared flanges with a standardized cross section that weighs 28lb/foot.
A W12x28 beam is a 12" tall I beam with squared flanges with a standardized cross section that weighs 28lb/foot.
Today we stripped the footings we placed yesterday and started standing the back of the wall forms
The walls are 9' tall in back where the footing depth permits them to be just below the slab and 12' in front where we need additional frost protection.
You kind of get a sense of how much elevation change we have by referencing the top of the garage walls in the background.
We were talking today about soils and bearing capacities and i did a quick calculation about what the house will weigh - just the concrete will be more than two million pounds. How's that for a piece of useless but interesting trivia?
The walls are 9' tall in back where the footing depth permits them to be just below the slab and 12' in front where we need additional frost protection.
You kind of get a sense of how much elevation change we have by referencing the top of the garage walls in the background.
We were talking today about soils and bearing capacities and i did a quick calculation about what the house will weigh - just the concrete will be more than two million pounds. How's that for a piece of useless but interesting trivia?
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Wow...
Simply A-Frikken-Mazing.
I thought I had a lot of concrete at my place (about 100 cubes worth of retaining wall). Most of my junk would fit into your "little retaining wall".
After my experience my wife and I will often look at one another when we are out and about and point at a large concrete wall at like a shopping center and say "I *know* that was expensive!!!"
By that measure, I applaud you for doing something different and pushing the boundaries, sir!!!
Thanks. I guess it's all relative but I'd be lying if I said this job is a piece of cake. This is a challenging job by any measure. It's a bit more doable if it's what you do everyday but concrete is never easy
Correct. Don't rely on that beam size though - I spouted it off from my addled memory. PM me for more details before you utilize the info.
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Woffski
Well-known member
Wow man, unfreakin believeable!!! Great thread!!!
I believe that qualifies as a **** ton.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=****-ton
bggrnchvy
Well-known member
I think it's more my mistake. I saw checking on updates and saw the question mark and it came to me as a curiosity. Knowing and more so seeing your background I should of assumed you were not sure if that was the profile he called out as opposed to a question on what the profile was.
Apologies, continue with your excellent thread.
So how many yards is that, 600+?
You mention that some of the footings are rather shallow, is that because backfilling will raise up to an amount that'd put it below the frost line? In CT it was 42", I'd assume you're somewhere around that.
So how many CY does one of the truck bring in? I read somewhere that they can carry around 11 max? And just looking it up now, I read that depending on the state, in the summer they carry around 9 and less in the winter.
That being said, you're looking to have something like 50 loads delivered? How far do these guys have to come?
I'm so enthralled with this thread. I've grown up around traditional builds so this is something that's really piqued my attention.
Homebody
Well-known member
GOOD GOD! 
The only thing that would make this better is if it were a television mini series on HGTV! lol
Congrats on building a successful business and now....building your dream.
The only thing that would make this better is if it were a television mini series on HGTV! lol
Congrats on building a successful business and now....building your dream.
SiGmA_X
Well-known member
Your thread keeps delivering, LL. Love it. I fire it up every evening at work and enjoy the picture update. Thank you for keeping us in the loop, and you and your people do amazing work!
Also curious about cy/load - I've heard various numbers before. What says the professional
Also curious about cy/load - I've heard various numbers before. What says the professional
bluesman2a
Well-known member
I think we have moved WELL out of ****-ton territory... Let's just say if we were measuring speed instead of weight, the answer would be "plaid".
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=****-ton
Mr onetwo
Well-known member
I 2nd this opinion.....thanks so much for taking the time to update us with great pictures and comments.
cderalow
Well-known member
I've always been told a full truck is 11 yd in he summer, and 8 ydin the winter.
ODIS
Well-known member
Always enjoy this thread. Worked with many different concrete contractors during the build-out of banks and credit unions. I would supply the 6 sided precast concrete vaults and vault doors to the bank or credit union. Always had to be sure the architect correctly planned for the 20-80 tons the final vault would weigh in at and some were significantly more in weight. No truer words spoken, it is "The Concrete Underground" that matters... Was always fun to see our rigger fly in the panels for installation and sometimes through already erected roof trusses. The guys were always pretty upset when this happened.
Congratulations on your project.
Ody.
Congratulations on your project.
Ody.
This tells the story. If it isn't water coming out of the ground, it's water coming out of the sky.
We made some progress on formwork despite the weather. The walls facing the river have a band of stone veneer set into the walls under a band of architectural concrete.
We will face our modular forms with 1/2" MDO and use coil ties to achieve the desired finish but the panels have to be laid out carefully to produce a uniform tie pattern.
These walls support the master bedroom cantilever. Steel beams will run the width of the building to support the cantilever. They are tied down to a ballast wall in the back. The wall to the left is the fulcrum of a big *** teeter totter.
Since this is supposed to be a garage thread, I figured I'd throw something in on the garage even though work there is at a standstill. This is a section through the garage. You can see the lift pit, the ICF roof framing and the 'skylight' we are developing to permit the use of the lift with our 10' ceiling height.
We made some progress on formwork despite the weather. The walls facing the river have a band of stone veneer set into the walls under a band of architectural concrete.
We will face our modular forms with 1/2" MDO and use coil ties to achieve the desired finish but the panels have to be laid out carefully to produce a uniform tie pattern.
These walls support the master bedroom cantilever. Steel beams will run the width of the building to support the cantilever. They are tied down to a ballast wall in the back. The wall to the left is the fulcrum of a big *** teeter totter.
Since this is supposed to be a garage thread, I figured I'd throw something in on the garage even though work there is at a standstill. This is a section through the garage. You can see the lift pit, the ICF roof framing and the 'skylight' we are developing to permit the use of the lift with our 10' ceiling height.
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The amount a concrete truck can haul depends a lot on weight limits for the roads they travel. My supplier hauls a maximum of 10 cy and the plant is about 30 minutes away in Augusta.
Glad you're enjoying the thread
GOOD GOD!
The only thing that would make this better is if it were a television mini series on HGTV! lol
Congrats on building a successful business and now....building your dream.
Thanks homebody. Not sure we're ready for prime time though
Thanks. It's fun to document our progress but it's easier knowing you guys are interested. I just hope you don't get bored with formwork and concrete - there's going to be a lot of it.
You guys gotta stick to english
I 2nd this opinion.....thanks so much for taking the time to update us with great pictures and comments.
I appreciate your interest. We still have some traditional foundation work to do but there is some pretty unusual work ahead
Thanks Odis. A little planning goes a long ways. As we say, when you make a mistake in the concrete business, the eraser weight 90 lbs.
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The blueprints show a "lift pit". Is that going to be an inground hydraulic lift like an old gas station?
from way back on page 2 nutts...
The next step was to excavate for a pit to accommodate a Rotary in-ground lift. The Rotary lift is contained in a plastic 'cartridge' that is usually buried in the soil under the slab.
I'm constructing a concrete pit that will allow me to install the lift later on. I'm doing it this way because soils and water would make it too difficult to hold the cartridge in position while backfilling. looked easy on paper but turns out it was tough and would get tougher. It started out fine.
Dang
You have had more rain since starting this project than we have had the last two years!
I still am amazed at the build. Growing up one of our family friends was a bridge contractor, and his work always was fascinating. What you are doing makes his work like tinker toys.
You have had more rain since starting this project than we have had the last two years!
I still am amazed at the build. Growing up one of our family friends was a bridge contractor, and his work always was fascinating. What you are doing makes his work like tinker toys.
The next step was to excavate for a pit to accommodate a Rotary in-ground lift. The Rotary lift is contained in a plastic 'cartridge' that is usually buried in the soil under the slab.
I'm constructing a concrete pit that will allow me to install the lift later on. I'm doing it this way because soils and water would make it too difficult to hold the cartridge in position while backfilling. looked easy on paper but turns out it was tough and would get tougher. It started out fine.
Thanks, I remember that now, I was probably to overwhelmed looking at all the cool pics to recall that post.
Really interesting build, not sure how ive missed it until now. I grew up in the building industry with my father who has been a residential contractor for 40 years. I cant imagine how stressfull dealing with complicated concrete poors under the conditions youve had throughout. When it is for yourself,it is even more stressfull! I guess when concrete is what you do for a living, you just learn to expect the worst and plan for it.
One of the worst days i can recollect involved 3 concrete trucks getting stuck pretty much one after the other, on the footing poor we did for my sisters house. The hours of unloading full concrete trucks via wheel barrel really drove home the value of planning ahead and not having toinch every penny. What went from a simple pour with 4 guys not even needing to bust hump, ended up " the nightmare". The cost of the tow bill would have covered the pumper rental. ugh
Isnt it kinda funny when you do what you do (your proffession) for yourself, how much you overthink, overplan and over spend. That was the theme building my shop.
Keep giving her hell!
One of the worst days i can recollect involved 3 concrete trucks getting stuck pretty much one after the other, on the footing poor we did for my sisters house. The hours of unloading full concrete trucks via wheel barrel really drove home the value of planning ahead and not having toinch every penny. What went from a simple pour with 4 guys not even needing to bust hump, ended up " the nightmare". The cost of the tow bill would have covered the pumper rental. ugh
Isnt it kinda funny when you do what you do (your proffession) for yourself, how much you overthink, overplan and over spend. That was the theme building my shop.
Keep giving her hell!
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SuperSocket
Well-known member
Are you going to leave some exposed walls inside the house for that concrete industrial look? Maybe polish them or something?
SiGmA_X
Well-known member
No worries there, I know little about it and enjoy watching formwork and general construction. Especially if the site boss can explain WTF is going on as my interest far exceeds my knowledge level
Keep up the good work!! Justanoldguy
Well-known member
Thedoc14
Well-known member
The only stress in doing it yourself is getting it right.
as Justanoldguy has said clients are your worst nightmare
as Justanoldguy has said clients are your worst nightmare
You are so right! When you are the owner and the builder and have immediate access to men and equipment, it is way too easy to keep adding stuff. I gotta learn to control myself
There are several exposed architectural concrete walls on the interior. The current thinking is to leave them in their 'natural' state but color or some kind of form liner is a possibility.
Building a house like this for a client would be tough. Cost, expectations and reality would constantly conflict. With that said, I'm having the time of my life building the thing.
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Thedoc14
Well-known member
Oh Yeah!!! we can see you are, there is nothing greater or more fun that starting and finishing anything, even if its just a Happy Meal.
Nick.
We took advantage of a couple decent days to get the garage partially backfilled. We put 2" rigid insulation on the inside face of the walls and used The big Link Belt to cast the gravel into the building.
The Bobcat does a good job of spreading and leveling the material in 12" lifts
A little hand work and a couple passes with the compactor and we're done for now.
Yesterday we finished up the excavation for the basement area. The basement wall runs across the house is designed as a retaining wall because we have to backfill behind it before the floor can go in.
With all the rain, we've gotten in the habit of over excavating and placing 6" of stone. This makes dewatering easier and prevents the sub grade from getting all churned up.
My field engineer showed up to put in some batter boards for the new footings. We are doing all our layout with a total station, which ensures a high degree of accuracy.
You can see our excavator in the background loading out a truck that brought gravel for backfill. We've generated more spoils than we can use and are having to selectively export material.
The Bobcat does a good job of spreading and leveling the material in 12" lifts
A little hand work and a couple passes with the compactor and we're done for now.
Yesterday we finished up the excavation for the basement area. The basement wall runs across the house is designed as a retaining wall because we have to backfill behind it before the floor can go in.
With all the rain, we've gotten in the habit of over excavating and placing 6" of stone. This makes dewatering easier and prevents the sub grade from getting all churned up.
My field engineer showed up to put in some batter boards for the new footings. We are doing all our layout with a total station, which ensures a high degree of accuracy.
You can see our excavator in the background loading out a truck that brought gravel for backfill. We've generated more spoils than we can use and are having to selectively export material.
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With more rain expected tomorrow, we figured we had better get our footing placed. Nothing is more annoying than having to remove soils that wash into forms and rebar
This will finish up the basement section of the house.
We got our concrete placed by the end of the day
This section of footing supports the wall that creates the terrace that runs the length of the house and a staircase that brings you up from the path to the dock.
We used up some excess concrete to place a couple mooring blocks for the dock. I used all stainless steel hardware and welded it up to ensure nothing comes undone with the tide and current.
At the risk of inspiring more evil villain references, I snapped another photo from the opposite bank. Finish floor for the house is at the same elevation as the top of formwork in the photo.
Apparently we have piqued the curiosity of the neighbors who are wondering what the hell is going on across the river.
This will finish up the basement section of the house.
We got our concrete placed by the end of the day
This section of footing supports the wall that creates the terrace that runs the length of the house and a staircase that brings you up from the path to the dock.
We used up some excess concrete to place a couple mooring blocks for the dock. I used all stainless steel hardware and welded it up to ensure nothing comes undone with the tide and current.
At the risk of inspiring more evil villain references, I snapped another photo from the opposite bank. Finish floor for the house is at the same elevation as the top of formwork in the photo.
Apparently we have piqued the curiosity of the neighbors who are wondering what the hell is going on across the river.
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JimVonBaden
Well-known member
Great thread! I love the photos, and the comentary!
Jim
Jim
With more rain expected tomorrow, we figured we had better get our footing placed. Nothing is more annoying than having to remove soils that wash into forms and rebar
This will finish up the basement section of the house.
We got our concrete placed by the end of the day
This section of footing supports the wall that creates the terrace that runs the length of the house and a staircase that brings you up from the path to the dock.
We used up some excess concrete to place a couple mooring blocks for the dock. I used all stainless steel hardware and welded it up to ensure nothing comes undone with the tide and current.
At the risk of inspiring more evil villain references, I snapped another photo from the opposite bank. Finish floor for the house is at the same elevation as the top of formwork in the photo.
Apparently we have piqued the curiosity of the neighbors who are wondering what the hell is going on across the river.
...said interlopers.umm I mean neighbors should maybe get with the program and register with Garage Journal...jus sayin
SuperSocket
Well-known member
We used up some excess concrete to place a couple mooring blocks for the dock. I used all stainless steel hardware and welded it up to ensure nothing comes undone with the tide and current.
... So if someone you dislike mysteriously disappears, I would direct the police that they should look at the bottom of that river.
I would guess that they're assuming Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg (or maybe Batman) is moving in.
That's a very impressive entrance.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Will you run into any issues with the local department of natural resources by putting those mooring blocks in the river?