The Concrete Underground
- Thread starter ConCretin
- Start date
I see the camper still in place and you've said the house has sold. Will you be moving back in to the work site soon ?
Since you have this beatiful weather (mud/slop) does the wife come out to the work site much or is she too busy with "work" ?
Since you have this beatiful weather (mud/slop) does the wife come out to the work site much or is she too busy with "work" ?
hobbitss
Well-known member
The process starts with setting leveling nuts. The bottom of the base plate is an inch above concrete grade. This space allows you some tolerance to get the column plumb and at the correct elevation. Once the steel is in position, you fill the space with non shrink grout.
Not much room in there to pack the grout under the base plate...
You'll need someone with small hands...
gordyy
Well-known member
fantastic build your doing great work on that
Missed a post yesterday because I was traveling but the boys made some progress without me.
The second floor steel went up and they have got a jump on the LiteDeck.
The second floor is a bit longer than the steel indicates - there is an ICF wall on each end that lengthens it by about 15' The end nearest the camera lines up with the concrete pier we placed with the ICFs.
And one more wide angle shot.
One of the design details is the second floor cantilever, which extends out to create an overhand to shade the lower floor glass.
This is some shoring to support an opening for one of two 5x5 pyramid skylights
This shoring supports the roof perimeter beam over the glass wall in the Master Bedroom and the second skylight.
Meanwhile work is progressing on the ICF walls in the garage and the L shaped AC wall in the garage. I promised to post the plans for the garage and will do so as soon as I get back.
Here's the ICFs coming down the back wall of the garage.
The weather looks great for the next week and a half so hopefully we'll keep right on rolling.
The second floor steel went up and they have got a jump on the LiteDeck.
The second floor is a bit longer than the steel indicates - there is an ICF wall on each end that lengthens it by about 15' The end nearest the camera lines up with the concrete pier we placed with the ICFs.
And one more wide angle shot.
One of the design details is the second floor cantilever, which extends out to create an overhand to shade the lower floor glass.
This is some shoring to support an opening for one of two 5x5 pyramid skylights
This shoring supports the roof perimeter beam over the glass wall in the Master Bedroom and the second skylight.
Meanwhile work is progressing on the ICF walls in the garage and the L shaped AC wall in the garage. I promised to post the plans for the garage and will do so as soon as I get back.
Here's the ICFs coming down the back wall of the garage.
The weather looks great for the next week and a half so hopefully we'll keep right on rolling.
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HOTFR8
Banned
Now you must be happy with that progress. 
I'll make it a point to capture that image
Thanks Red05GT. Affirmative on the insomnia. Not sure if it's excitement over the build or dread that I'm overlooking something
Didn't take it that way at all OHSCrifle. I've gotten a lot of good advice from others in this thread and consider yours more of the same. My architect spec'd the slope but I'll definitely run it by my roofer
I gotta give credit to my foundation crew for setting the bolts accurately but the guy who drew up the steel drawings and the guys who did the fabrication did a great job.
In most areas, we'll strap the bottom of the LiteDeck with 2x4a and sheetrock over them. This will cover the bottom flange of the beam and leave a little extra room to run utilities. There is an area over the kitchen where the ceiling height drops to provide room for ductwork, etc.
We'll be moving back down to the camper very soon, which will be great. In the meantime, it will take more than a little mud to keep my lovely wife away from all the excitement.
Non shrink grout can be mixed to a pourable consistency and still provide a high compressive strength. We'll just pour it in around the baseplate.
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jriltex
Member
LL, thanks for the update. I was suffering withdrawal symptoms not having my daily fix. It seems I must have a needle full of Concrete Underground on a daily basis. Lord help us when you finish this and we all go into shock from not having your updates to look forward to each day! Please take your time! ;-)
Hottrod
Well-known member
Wow, you're REALLY moving along now! It's great to see the structure going up, and now that the groundwork is in place I suspect this aspect will be completed relatively quickly. The quality of the work being done is remarkable, particularly when one looks at the way your steel has lined up perfectly - from my own (limited) experience I appreciate what it takes to get results like these, and how difficult it is! Well done: your planning, the attention to detail and a talented and motivated crew is paying back in spades!
Cemoto
Well-known member
You must be very happy to see it all start to come together, (I bet the bank is too).
Even when the build is finished, as years pass, I hope you share some photos of the beautiful views from those panoramic windows! You know we will all be toasting you and your efforts.
Sure glad I started following from the beginning . . .
I still have 18"- 24" of hard compacted snow on my build site.
Best Regards,
Even when the build is finished, as years pass, I hope you share some photos of the beautiful views from those panoramic windows! You know we will all be toasting you and your efforts.
Sure glad I started following from the beginning . . .
I still have 18"- 24" of hard compacted snow on my build site.
Best Regards,
SiGmA_X
Well-known member
Question - Why did you opt to use traditional forming with ICFs on top vs ICFs all the way down? Easier?
The weather looks great for the next week and a half so hopefully we'll keep right on rolling.
Progress looks fantastic as always!
red
Well-known member
Question - Why did you opt to use traditional forming with ICFs on top vs ICFs all the way down? Easier?
Usually always comes down to cost. Really don't need the ICFs below grade, plus LL is a concrete contractor that could be is using forms he already had.
Usually always comes down to cost. Really don't need the ICFs below grade, plus LL is a concrete contractor that could be is using forms he already had.
neonnblack
Well-known member
This is @#$@#% fantastic. Been watching since you started. I wait about a week between check ins so i can read a bunch of stuff at once, lol.
Ryanjax
Active member
My morning coffee ritual once again..... Great stuff!
max2919
Well-known member
You need to have a Hiperfloor in that house! We have it in the house we have built and it's soooooo nice in the winter time with the underfloor heating.
Max
Max
He has in-floor radiant heat.
max2919
Well-known member
Yes, it's the same as underfloor heating.
With a Hiperfloor (polished concrete foor) it will be lovely in wintertime.
Work continues on all three fronts. This is the shoring for the beam over the kitchen windows. You cam also see they are starting to install window bucks at the ICF in the garage.
Here's the same area from the outside;
The third crew is continuing work on the AC wall in the garage corridor. This wall is L shaped at a 75 degree angle necessitating a custom corner form. At least I'll get a second re-use on the second floor where the wall is repeated.
In the picture above you can also see the rebar for a little L shaped AC column in the foreground. The upstairs AC wall extends forward and is supported by this column.
I threw in the photo below to give you a better sense of the upstairs of the house.
Here's another random steel pic
I've been on the road so one of the guys has been taking photos and uploading them to PB so I can see what's going on and keep the thread undated.
Apparently the boys felt a self portrait was in order because the was the first photo I saw when I logged on. I present to you my rag tag band of concrete house builders;
Now I know how some of you have said you feel about looking forward to updates.
Here's the same area from the outside;
The third crew is continuing work on the AC wall in the garage corridor. This wall is L shaped at a 75 degree angle necessitating a custom corner form. At least I'll get a second re-use on the second floor where the wall is repeated.
In the picture above you can also see the rebar for a little L shaped AC column in the foreground. The upstairs AC wall extends forward and is supported by this column.
I threw in the photo below to give you a better sense of the upstairs of the house.
Here's another random steel pic
I've been on the road so one of the guys has been taking photos and uploading them to PB so I can see what's going on and keep the thread undated.
Apparently the boys felt a self portrait was in order because the was the first photo I saw when I logged on. I present to you my rag tag band of concrete house builders;
Now I know how some of you have said you feel about looking forward to updates.
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gordyy
Well-known member
It is so kewl watching a build by craftsman who really know their trade and love to show it off.
I did Hvac work for plumbing and heating contractors for years and the most fun on a job was in the recession back in the 80s a very succesful local contrator did not want to lay off his crew of men (most had been with him for over 15 yrs) so He built a mega home out of concrete mostly (he also owned a ready-mix plant) The design he came up with blew the local building inspectors out of the water they just kind of said if you say it will work it will! His guys all laughed because the intricate things they had to do to build the house was a complex head scratching meeting every morning!!!
I did Hvac work for plumbing and heating contractors for years and the most fun on a job was in the recession back in the 80s a very succesful local contrator did not want to lay off his crew of men (most had been with him for over 15 yrs) so He built a mega home out of concrete mostly (he also owned a ready-mix plant) The design he came up with blew the local building inspectors out of the water they just kind of said if you say it will work it will! His guys all laughed because the intricate things they had to do to build the house was a complex head scratching meeting every morning!!!
I really appreciate all the nice comments.
red got it about right. For the below grade walls I was just more comfortable with CIP. It's a little cheaper and it's stronger. It also doesn't need yo be covered where it shows between the ground and the siding.
That great! Can't wait to see your build thread.
I noticed someone already mentioned that we're using radiant. I'm not familiar with Hiperfloor
red got it about right. For the below grade walls I was just more comfortable with CIP. It's a little cheaper and it's stronger. It also doesn't need yo be covered where it shows between the ground and the siding.
That great! Can't wait to see your build thread.
I noticed someone already mentioned that we're using radiant. I'm not familiar with Hiperfloor
max2919
Well-known member
Motown 454
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2008
- Messages
- 1,359
From the work they do they're a great rag tag bunch! Nice work guys
Omphaloskeptic
Well-known member
That's quite the motley crew you've got there; but damn, they do good work!
Now, I'm quite sure that if you were not considered a 'likable boss', the group portrait would have been a view of there backs presenting you a shocking display of the infamous 'Maine Salute', otherwise known as 'The Full Moon'! Of course, even if you were the greatest boss in the state of Maine, they still might have 'saluted' you just to show you their 'best side'! LOL
Keep those pics a'comin'!
Now, I'm quite sure that if you were not considered a 'likable boss', the group portrait would have been a view of there backs presenting you a shocking display of the infamous 'Maine Salute', otherwise known as 'The Full Moon'! Of course, even if you were the greatest boss in the state of Maine, they still might have 'saluted' you just to show you their 'best side'! LOL
*** 
***
***Keep those pics a'comin'!
Bib Overalls
Well-known member
Motley crew? Be careful with the undue complements. We don't want them setting off on an ego trip until the job is done.
HiperFloor looks like a terrazzo process. Certainly very appropriate for the floor treatment in a concrete home.
HiperFloor looks like a terrazzo process. Certainly very appropriate for the floor treatment in a concrete home.
That's quite the motley crew you've got there; but damn, they do good work!
Now, I'm quite sure that if you were not considered a 'likable boss', the group portrait would have been a view of there backs presenting you a shocking display of the infamous 'Maine Salute', otherwise known as 'The Full Moon'! Of course, even if you were the greatest boss in the state of Maine, they still might have 'saluted' you just to show you their 'best side'! LOL
***
Keep those pics a'comin'!
Construction guys with a camera, good boss or not, it wouldn't surprise me to see them take a picture like that.
red
Well-known member
"Motley crew? Be careful with the undue complements. We don't want them setting off on an ego trip until the job is done."
Kinda guys, I want on my side when the bar fight breaks out. The quality of the work is always in the details. That's where craftsmanship shows. And in this thread it speaks volumes. Thanks to everyone, this is well on the way to being a masterpiece.
Kinda guys, I want on my side when the bar fight breaks out. The quality of the work is always in the details. That's where craftsmanship shows. And in this thread it speaks volumes. Thanks to everyone, this is well on the way to being a masterpiece.
Of course, even if you were the greatest boss in the state of Maine, they still might have 'saluted' you just to show you their 'best side'! LOL
***
From the looks on their faces, I suspect one of them just suggested that very thing. I for one am thankful they thought better of it. No one wants to see THAT.
Omphaloskeptic
Well-known member
Yeah, that pic might get this whole thread deleted! 
I've heard only of 'plumber's crack', **** with your crew and the work they do, I suppose we'd have to call them 'Relief Cuts'! lol
I've heard only of 'plumber's crack', **** with your crew and the work they do, I suppose we'd have to call them 'Relief Cuts'! lol
HOTFR8
Banned
The solution for Plumbers crack.
Sorry, now back on topic.
Sorry, now back on topic.
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We started installing LiteDeck for the second floor and continued work on the shoring for the beam over the kitchen windows. You can see we've installed the second steel post on the little pilaster we built into the ICF.
Here's another view of the LiteDeck that will support the second floor slab.
We had one minor discrepancy in the structural steel. A bolt pattern in the beam we installed last summer didn't match the column we installed last week. While my welder was here connecting the beams to their bearing plates we welded them together as well.
Work also continues on the AC and ICF walls. If you're wondering why we've covered everything up, it's because we're expecting 8-10" of snow tomorrow. Isn't that fantastic??
I'm still traveling so I'm watching the construction from afar as you are. It's a lot more fun in person.
Here's another view of the LiteDeck that will support the second floor slab.
We had one minor discrepancy in the structural steel. A bolt pattern in the beam we installed last summer didn't match the column we installed last week. While my welder was here connecting the beams to their bearing plates we welded them together as well.
Work also continues on the AC and ICF walls. If you're wondering why we've covered everything up, it's because we're expecting 8-10" of snow tomorrow. Isn't that fantastic??
I'm still traveling so I'm watching the construction from afar as you are. It's a lot more fun in person.
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8-10" of snow ? Holy moly, I thought Spring was on it's way ?
When you say traveling, do you mean concrete work out of the area ? I'd assume that since you are in the construction business, you do take jobs that put you away from home and on the road.
When you say traveling, do you mean concrete work out of the area ? I'd assume that since you are in the construction business, you do take jobs that put you away from home and on the road.
I hoped we were done with this #%^@. Hopefully this is winter's last gasp but in the meantime, we've got to deal with it.
This is the shoring for the perimeter beam at the second floor.
Tents? Really??
Here's something you don't see every day. Custom three way ties to hold the 75 degree corner together.
Well, given the weather and the fact that the guy taking pictures is actually working for a living, that's all I've got for today.
This is the shoring for the perimeter beam at the second floor.
Tents? Really??
Here's something you don't see every day. Custom three way ties to hold the 75 degree corner together.
Well, given the weather and the fact that the guy taking pictures is actually working for a living, that's all I've got for today.
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HOTFR8
Banned
.SiGmA_X
Well-known member
I think this is why its not called global warming, but climate change. Science, its amazing!
Yup the T-shirt was great!
We do take jobs that require travel, but I can't say that's the reason for my absence. The trip was part business but there might have been some golf involved as well
Maybe a professional conference with appropriate CEU's in a nice warm location?
HOTFR8
Banned
I see that T-Shirt now appearing in other topics here on the forum.
Omphaloskeptic
Well-known member
That shirt gave me a 'HUH?... EEUW, YUK, BLECK, BARF, GAG' moment!
We do take jobs that require travel, but I can't say that's the reason for my absence. The trip was part business but there might have been some golf involved as well
Ahhh business trip, was the wife along ?