| Re: Everybody make it through OK? |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Group: nashville.general · Group Profile
Author: Paul StevensPaul Stevens Date: Feb 8, 2008 20:49
"Olin" comcast.net> wrote in message
news:bYKdnYzNna3SgTDanZ2dnUVZ_h2pnZ2d@comcast.com...>>
>> I've seen longer lengths (I think they were 8 foot) at Lowes, but Lowes
>> and Home Depot aren't always the lowest price sources for stuff that's
>> beyond the usual weekend project level. I'm hoping to find a bargain,
>> but scrap metal prices have gone up, so I won't be surprised if I can't
>> find that bargain.
>>
>> Pour a footing with rebar. Attach longer lengths of rebar to the rebar
>> sticking up out of the cured footing, then bend them over to meet in the
>> center (think quonset hut with rounded ends). Attach layers of wire
>> mesh to the rebar, then cover the structure with plastic. Apply
>> something similar to shotcrete to the interior, then remove the plastic
>> when that cures. Apply shotcrete to the exterior (probably need
>> about 2 inches, inside and out). Cover with foam insulation and a
>> moisture barrier. Cover entire structure (except for doors and windows)
>> with at least 2 feet of dirt (I think 4 feet would be better). Install
>> metal storm shutters on windows. Install stout steel doors.
>>
>> Yup, it'd probably be a little on the expensive side, but considering how
>> much lumber has gone up in price...
>>
>
> IF you've got the time and the ability, doing the work yourself would make
> it considerably cheaper and what you've described could possibly survive
> even a direct hit (depending on direction) from a really big storm. It
> might get entertaining in there if the storm hit what would have to be a
> relatively large front, for ingress and egress of those project materials
> of which you spoke, but sides or back and it should survive just fine and
> dandy.
>
> If you build it, I can guarantee you that you WILL get to know your
> neighbors very well once word gets around. On the farm where I grew up, we
> had the only root/storm cellar still usable, and every time it came up a
> cloud, we could count on company. I've seen as many as fifteen people down
> in that hole in the ground and it was not much bigger than a small
> bathroom.
Time would be an issue, but I tend to at least plan projects with the
intent that I not hire the work out (I do know of a Kubota with a
bucket on the front, that I could probably borrow for moving the
dirt). The garage door would require some thought. Some protection
could be provided by making an arched entry that extends several feet
out from the main structure (essentially, a short tunnel leading to the
door), but the door would still need to be a strong door - maybe a
steel tube frame, covered front and back with 1/8" steel plate, hinged
at the sides and barred during storms.
The surrounding hills generally keep the wind coming from one of
two directions. Southeast is relatively safe from the wind, and is also
a good direction for using windows for solar heat gain.
| 
