The Concrete Underground
- Thread starter ConCretin
- Start date
You're almost ready for the Zombie Apocalypse. 
I'm waiting for the post that shows the "underground" completely concealed by a few hundred tons of clean fill. It is the concrete "underground" after all. 
Jokes aside, this place is really shaping up. I'm always learning something in this thread.
Jokes aside, this place is really shaping up. I'm always learning something in this thread.
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Thedoc14
Well-known member
""Should of been the photo of deck chairs and fire pit.""
That looks like a nice place for a beer or three, roasting some hotdogs while your at it...
Looking great as usual.
That looks like a nice place for a beer or three, roasting some hotdogs while your at it...
Looking great as usual.
I'm a little late posting our weekend progress due to some camper internet issues but better late than never.
If you recall, there is one more AC wall on the second floor of the garage. Here is where it ties into the exterior ICF wall.
This form will create the AC wall on one side of a door opening. We'll form the remainder shortly. Here you can see how the ICF and AC walls come together and incorporate a buck for an adjacent window.
I opted to use our fiberglass tie system because so many coil ties in a small form wouldn't look right. The hex nut on the left clamps the grippers down on the rod. The one of the right tightens the clamp against the form.
We installed the several more window bucks, some of which were a bit complicated due to the need to square up the window relative to the 15 degree angle at the house/garage intersection.
Here's a shot of the same buck from above
Here's a situation we haven't dealt with before. We need a buck to anchor a door that butts a wall.
My plan is to finish up the ICF wall over the weekend and move on to the rest of the garage roof. I'm hoping to get a crew back shortly to form up the last AC wall, which is pretty rugged work for a one or two man show. We can then do a big placement and pick off all three.
If you recall, there is one more AC wall on the second floor of the garage. Here is where it ties into the exterior ICF wall.
This form will create the AC wall on one side of a door opening. We'll form the remainder shortly. Here you can see how the ICF and AC walls come together and incorporate a buck for an adjacent window.
I opted to use our fiberglass tie system because so many coil ties in a small form wouldn't look right. The hex nut on the left clamps the grippers down on the rod. The one of the right tightens the clamp against the form.
We installed the several more window bucks, some of which were a bit complicated due to the need to square up the window relative to the 15 degree angle at the house/garage intersection.
Here's a shot of the same buck from above
Here's a situation we haven't dealt with before. We need a buck to anchor a door that butts a wall.
My plan is to finish up the ICF wall over the weekend and move on to the rest of the garage roof. I'm hoping to get a crew back shortly to form up the last AC wall, which is pretty rugged work for a one or two man show. We can then do a big placement and pick off all three.
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Buzz Lightyear
Well-known member
Excellent stuff - as always.
This form will create the AC wall on one side of a door opening. We'll form the remainder shortly. Here you can see how the ICF and AC walls come together and incorporate a buck for an adjacent window.
Quite an interesting form, looks like it might have been a PITA to build too.
Actually I don't recall any inspections mentioned, I assume they are just not being noted? (or is my CRS striking again!)
duggie
Well-known member
Thanks for the updates !!!
I was getting nervous that the "black helicopters" had found out about this build and sent in a few crews to destroy it ... not that they could !!!
I was getting nervous that the "black helicopters" had found out about this build and sent in a few crews to destroy it ... not that they could !!!
PureSilver
Well-known member
I'm waiting for the post that shows the "underground" completely concealed by a few hundred tons of clean fill. It is the concrete "underground" after all.
I actually think that burying the house up to its windows/doors in turfed lawn would be awesome; think of the insulation you'd get and the resistance to storms! I've always enjoyed 'iceberg' houses that conceal features; my ideal garage would have an aircraft-carrier-style multilevel lift to underground areas...
hippie2cams
Well-known member
I'm trying to decide which view I like the best, the one from the river uphill to the mansion in the sky or from the concrete mansion in the sky to the cross the river floating dock aka bridge across the river view.
LLWillysfan, your build looks amazing.
The tread has kept me up for hours couldn't let it go, so now i'm very late for bed.
Guess i'll be late for work tomorrow....
Been on the forum for years lurking but I guess this is my first post....
The tread has kept me up for hours couldn't let it go, so now i'm very late for bed.
Guess i'll be late for work tomorrow....
Been on the forum for years lurking but I guess this is my first post....
Mr onetwo
Well-known member
It's looking good!
It's amazing what an intensive process it is to build a structure of this nature.
I hope you and your wife can still see the light at the end of the tunnel.I know from personal experience that it can be very discouraging and frustrating at times!
Keep smiling and keep up the great work!!!
It's amazing what an intensive process it is to build a structure of this nature. I hope you and your wife can still see the light at the end of the tunnel.I know from personal experience that it can be very discouraging and frustrating at times! Keep smiling and keep up the great work!!!I've just been checking out your build in amazement! Absolutely incredible! As a was struggling to dig out a bunch of dirt/rocks for a concrete patio pour I thought about your huge project...all of a sudden it wasn't so bad. ;-) Keep out the good work and thanks for the posts!
I'm building an extremely complicated home that I'm pretty sure I can't afford and what am I worried about? financial ruin? construction details? Nope. I worry about my neglected GJ thread. I'm kidding of course but I'll be glad when there's more progress to show.
Well anyway, here's where we're at. I built the buck for the bathroom window.
You'll note that the bottom isn't solid. This will allow us access to vibrate under the window to ensure proper consolidation of the concrete.
We've found it easier to lay up all the ICF and then cut out the openings
If you're careful with your cutting, the buck will sit in the opening almost perfectly with minimal shimming
We've also braced up the bucks we installed last week. We installed stiffeners and threaded rods that hold the 'end cap' bucks in place. We also needed to add some ties across the wall at the 'sidewall' buck since cutting it in eliminated a row of integral plastic ties.
Some of the threaded rods end up quite long. It might have been easier to brace the buck rather than hold it with 'ties' but I feel better with this method. It would **** if the buck didn't stay plumb.
Where the threaded rods need to pass thru a perpendicular wall, I used a piece of conduit to create a sleeve. This will permit me to remove the rod after the concrete is in.
We are still dealing with the 15 degree angle between the house and garage. In order for the stiffener to sit perpendicular to the threaded rods we need to install wedges.
We also got started on the final AC wall. It forms the north wall of the guest bedroom and hold up the LiteDeck roof. You remember this stuff, right?
We're reusing the same forms with the 75 degree angle we used to build the wall below. Two reuses is better than one but generally you want to get a lot more out of a custom form. Anybody want to build a concrete underground of their own?
As you approach the stairs to the second floor guest bedroom, the AC wall on your right will be 19' tall.
Finally, here's the reason I'm putting myself through this; I need a reminder now and then that it will all be worth it
Hopefully you haven't all given up on me. We're still plugging away but it takes me a week or two to generate enough progress for an update. I'm hoping to finish up the concrete in the next couple weeks. Once I can get the subs going, progress should pick up.
Well anyway, here's where we're at. I built the buck for the bathroom window.
You'll note that the bottom isn't solid. This will allow us access to vibrate under the window to ensure proper consolidation of the concrete.
We've found it easier to lay up all the ICF and then cut out the openings
If you're careful with your cutting, the buck will sit in the opening almost perfectly with minimal shimming
We've also braced up the bucks we installed last week. We installed stiffeners and threaded rods that hold the 'end cap' bucks in place. We also needed to add some ties across the wall at the 'sidewall' buck since cutting it in eliminated a row of integral plastic ties.
Some of the threaded rods end up quite long. It might have been easier to brace the buck rather than hold it with 'ties' but I feel better with this method. It would **** if the buck didn't stay plumb.
Where the threaded rods need to pass thru a perpendicular wall, I used a piece of conduit to create a sleeve. This will permit me to remove the rod after the concrete is in.
We are still dealing with the 15 degree angle between the house and garage. In order for the stiffener to sit perpendicular to the threaded rods we need to install wedges.
We also got started on the final AC wall. It forms the north wall of the guest bedroom and hold up the LiteDeck roof. You remember this stuff, right?
We're reusing the same forms with the 75 degree angle we used to build the wall below. Two reuses is better than one but generally you want to get a lot more out of a custom form. Anybody want to build a concrete underground of their own?
As you approach the stairs to the second floor guest bedroom, the AC wall on your right will be 19' tall.
Finally, here's the reason I'm putting myself through this; I need a reminder now and then that it will all be worth it
Hopefully you haven't all given up on me. We're still plugging away but it takes me a week or two to generate enough progress for an update. I'm hoping to finish up the concrete in the next couple weeks. Once I can get the subs going, progress should pick up.
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60766244
Active member
Looks neat. I'd wondered about how that was done.
Been checking twice a day for updates!
Been checking twice a day for updates!
Thanks to all for the encouraging comments. I've said it before but I feel like you guys are right there with me. A GJ build thread is strong motivation indeed.
We're building in a small town with a part time building inspector. He's a great guy and checks the plumbing and electrical but has left the structural issues to me and my engineer.
I cheated a bit here. I drew up a full size rendering of the form and used it to measure up all the parts and pieces. It went together perfectly.
We're building in a small town with a part time building inspector. He's a great guy and checks the plumbing and electrical but has left the structural issues to me and my engineer.
I cheated a bit here. I drew up a full size rendering of the form and used it to measure up all the parts and pieces. It went together perfectly.
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Red Goat
Well-known member
Awesome work, LL!!!
I too, often check into garage journal to see if you have posted any progress. This build is very addicting...
I too, often check into garage journal to see if you have posted any progress. This build is very addicting...
Buzz Lightyear
Well-known member
That is a simply beautiful view and one that you will never tire of.
The forms are a work of art in themselves. If they can't be re-used elsewhere maybe recylce them into a bit of modern art by the side of the drive on the way down?
Finally, here's the reason I'm putting myself through this; I need a reminder now and then that it will all be worth it
I'm foreseeing a concrete deck in the future that would over hang that drop off and give you and your friends a place to sit back, relax, bbq and drink a few beers.
horizontallyopposed
Well-known member
I for one am fascinated by this thread. The skill, the thought, the knowledge that has gone in to the design and construction of your "bunker" is amazing. In a sense, it is of great benefit to us that you are doing it yourself and it is taking time - it allows you to gude us through the process better (yes, I'm sure that's what you're thinking when you sit there going "Will this ever be done????"). Thanks fo sharing.
Me!!
But just the garage/guesthouse part.
and I'm semi-serious, I'd like to build something similar in shape at the cottage. Much better than any other garage/guesthouse I've seen that are all made the same way, with no rooftop patio.
Thedoc14
Well-known member
Never bored and always waiting for updates LL, we are patient we have our own projects that are not finished.
But enjoy your updates more than ever.
But enjoy your updates more than ever.
Justanoldguy
Well-known member
I laugh when people say they can't wait and then sit back and wait.
Just one of those stupid sayings that people readily spout without thinking of what it means ...
Agrippasmith
Member
The design is just great...are you gonna paint it white in the same way as that model..i recommend you to do it because it will look just great.
Hugo L.
Well-known member
It almost seems like by the time you're done building this concrete-only house, you'll have used more wood and traditional materials (for forms and the likes) than if you'd have built a house the conventional way.
Vernmotor
Well-known member
Yea but it would not be a concrete house when he is done ?
JakeKohl
Well-known member
I've read every word of this thread and I've hesitated to comment. The "congrats" and "can't wait for more" are almost like people making phone calls during a majestic orchestral performance to me. Alas, I do realize that some of this does provide some encouragement so I thought I should say....very nicely done, sir. I can't wait to see the finished project and am inspired by your commitment and the amount of brain and muscle matter you have dedicated to this project.
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Red Leader
Well-known member
If the zombie apocalypse comes sooner than we think, can I get your number/address?
Justanoldguy
Well-known member
Playwme
Well-known member
Don't beat yourself up over the time between updates mate. I've seen build threads for a spice rack that have less progress than this. Trust me, you're doing pretty ****** good considering you're running a business at the same time (Not to mention the scale and complexity of the project).
gipraw
Well-known member
Thanks for taking the time to update this thread with pictures and comments. It really makes it interesting to follow along. This place is just stunning.
I have a question that I haven't seen mentioned. If I read correctly, you don't plan on using any sealer on the concrete inside the house. Since you aren't sealing anything, do you have any Radon concerns due to all of that concrete? Have you given it any thought? If so I'd love to hear about your plans.
I have a question that I haven't seen mentioned. If I read correctly, you don't plan on using any sealer on the concrete inside the house. Since you aren't sealing anything, do you have any Radon concerns due to all of that concrete? Have you given it any thought? If so I'd love to hear about your plans.
gipraw
Well-known member
I agree that the usual concern is from the ground, and since the foundation is not block or dirt the infiltration from that source will be greatly minimized. Concrete is the most significant source of radon of any building material and with that much concrete around, the potential for issue is there.
riverwader
New member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2006
- Messages
- 1
I am very impressed by not only your ability to take this on as a task while running a business and the daily trouble shooting, but to keep us up to date like you have is amazing. I have assisted in building one house with icf, for wood framers the pumper guy told us that the one blow out we had was pretty good. So for you to do a pour by yourself and have a small one is crazy. Read through everything in an evening to get caught up. Almost like a book, where is it at now as I am on 20 then page 30. Hope to have myself a place on a river one day. Nothing better than watching the river move past you while you site still.