jinman
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2001
- Messages
- 21,008
- Location
- Texas - Wise County - Sunset
- Tractor
- NHTC45D, NH LB75B, Ford Jubilee
I've been plotting and planning to build a nice 40 x 60 metal building for a long time. As I was excavating in my sandpit recently, I suddenly had an epiphany moment and realized I have the perfect place for a very large underground structure. I've included a picture of the site. I was thinking of making a pond in this location, but lately I've begun to think about drainage and how large a runoff I can provide for normal annual rainfall. I don't think I can direct enough runoff to keep two ponds full.
In the first picture below, the sandpit I've been using is in the foreground. The area with the deep gully and mounds at the top would be a single pond and my underground shop would face toward that pond so that the approach and front of the shop would have a nice full view of the pond.
In the second picture, the view is reversed from the bottom of the pit looking up. At the back and sides of the excavation, I have sloping ground that goes from 20' deep down to about 12' deep. My feeling is that I can build a shop back into this hillside with a 12' ceiling and columns inside for supporting the roof which will be covered with dirt.
I took measurements and I can easily fit an 80' x 60' structure underground in this area. I think I'd probably go 80' x 40' or maybe 80' x 50' with three rollup doors and one walk-in door on the front side. I might also build a concrete tunnel back to my house so we can use this as a storm shelter and also an underground cellar. My feeling is that I can use solar tubes for lighting and have a structure that's warm in winter and cool in the summer with very little heating/cooling costs. Ground water and seepage will be easily controlled since this soil is very dry.
So, does anyone have any experience with a structure like this? I know PatrickG built an underground section on his new house in Oklahoma, but I don't want anything as nice as a living area. This can be painted concrete walls and ceiling; very little finish work. I can even run electricity, plumbing, and compressed air in hanging channels. I'm not sure what kind of columns or the number required to put 4000 sq ft under an earth roof, but of course a shop is best with as much open space as possible. I believe a 12' ceiling will be plenty for any equipment I might want to put inside.
So if anyone can help me with experience or suggestions, I'm very open to all advice. I talked to my wife about this and she is very supportive. I don't think she wants a large shop blocking her view. She'd love to have this underground shop instead.
In the first picture below, the sandpit I've been using is in the foreground. The area with the deep gully and mounds at the top would be a single pond and my underground shop would face toward that pond so that the approach and front of the shop would have a nice full view of the pond.
In the second picture, the view is reversed from the bottom of the pit looking up. At the back and sides of the excavation, I have sloping ground that goes from 20' deep down to about 12' deep. My feeling is that I can build a shop back into this hillside with a 12' ceiling and columns inside for supporting the roof which will be covered with dirt.
I took measurements and I can easily fit an 80' x 60' structure underground in this area. I think I'd probably go 80' x 40' or maybe 80' x 50' with three rollup doors and one walk-in door on the front side. I might also build a concrete tunnel back to my house so we can use this as a storm shelter and also an underground cellar. My feeling is that I can use solar tubes for lighting and have a structure that's warm in winter and cool in the summer with very little heating/cooling costs. Ground water and seepage will be easily controlled since this soil is very dry.
So, does anyone have any experience with a structure like this? I know PatrickG built an underground section on his new house in Oklahoma, but I don't want anything as nice as a living area. This can be painted concrete walls and ceiling; very little finish work. I can even run electricity, plumbing, and compressed air in hanging channels. I'm not sure what kind of columns or the number required to put 4000 sq ft under an earth roof, but of course a shop is best with as much open space as possible. I believe a 12' ceiling will be plenty for any equipment I might want to put inside.
So if anyone can help me with experience or suggestions, I'm very open to all advice. I talked to my wife about this and she is very supportive. I don't think she wants a large shop blocking her view. She'd love to have this underground shop instead.