Terra-Dome Earth Shelter Build

[SamWalton]

Installing the PEX tubing was easy using the staple gun. I do worry that the concrete finishers will kick the staples out because they are not the strongest way of securing the PEX to the insulation. We used some of our tape to add additional strength to the PEX to insulation bond. We used 1100 feet on the first four loops. We will begin installing the two foot by two foot 5/8 inch rebar to the areas completed.

 

[SamWalton]

Today we began installing the 5/8 inch re bar. We are using 1-1/2 inch chairs and 6 inch wire ties. We opted not to drill into the wall in fear of damaging the internal conduits. We used our chop saw to cut the twenty foot re bar segments into two ten foot sections taking the time to deburr the freshly cut ends.

 

[tommu56]

Today we began installing the 5/8 inch re bar. We are using 1-1/2 inch chairs and 6 inch wire ties. We opted not to drill into the wall in fear of damaging the internal conduits. We used our chop saw to cut the twenty foot re bar segments into two ten foot sections taking the time to deburr the freshly cut ends.

Why did you debur the ends?
I ususlly use bolt cutters or rod cutter and forget about it?

tom

 

[SamWalton]

Why did you debur the ends?
I ususlly use bolt cutters or rod cutter and forget about it?

tom

5/8 is tough to shear so we cut five pieces at time and to make it safe to handle and prevent any accidents around the PEX it just feels better to trim off the sharp edges.

 

[tommu56]

5/8 is tough to shear so we cut five pieces at time and to make it safe to handle and prevent any accidents around the PEX it just feels better to trim off the sharp edges.

That makes sense.
The hand thing I though of
An OOPS on the pex well worth the effort!


tom

 

[mjncad]

Looking good Sam. You are a lucky man in that your whole family is pitching in with the construction.

#5 rebar is some stout stuff. Did you go with the 40,000 or 60,000 PSI tensile strength stuff? How come you went with #5, when I would think #4 would have been more than plenty for a lightly loaded floor.

The chairs are a good touch to getting the job done right.

 

[jinman]

Sam, is your plan to park the concrete trucks outside and run the chute through the window/door openings? Unless you pump, that's the only way I can see you getting the concrete in some of the tight spots.

 

[SamWalton]

Looking good Sam. You are a lucky man in that your whole family is pitching in with the construction.

#5 rebar is some stout stuff. Did you go with the 40,000 or 60,000 PSI tensile strength stuff? How come you went with #5, when I would think #4 would have been more than plenty for a lightly loaded floor.

The chairs are a good touch to getting the job done right.

You are right about having a great family. My wife and sons can accomplish anything. We have been at it for a long time and could use a break. After we move in most of the pressure will go away and we all will begin to take some time to play. We wanted to make things very sturdy so we used the garage or shop standard of 2'x2'x5/8" rebar throughout the home. We purchased 315 of the 5/8 inch by 20 feet and paid $6.50 per stick and got 45 of the 1/2" rebar at $4.04 per stick. We also got chairs, wire ties and a Lincoln Ranger 250 GTX welder\11000 watt generator and chop saw. I pushed hard for discounts. Our rebar is unrated so the strength varies.
Today we got much of the steel placed and tied. We will wait on a second 1200 foot roll of the PEX and staples to finish up the two bedroom modules.

 

[mjncad]

Thanks for the reply Sam. I sure like the quality of work you and your family are doing. It puts 90%+ of the professionals to shame.

 

[Carl Bert]

You are right about having a great family. My wife and sons can accomplish anything. We have been at it for a long time and could use a break. After we move in most of the pressure will go away and we all will begin to take some time to play. We wanted to make things very sturdy so we used the garage or shop standard of 2'x2'x5/8" rebar throughout the home. We purchased 315 of the 5/8 inch by 20 feet and paid $6.50 per stick and got 45 of the 1/2" rebar at $4.04 per stick. We also got chairs, wire ties and a Lincoln Ranger 250 GTX welder\11000 watt generator and chop saw. I pushed hard for discounts. Our rebar is unrated so the strength varies.
Today we got much of the steel placed and tied. We will wait on a second 1200 foot roll of the PEX and staples to finish up the two bedroom modules.

I don't really understand the need for rebar. Correct me if I am wrong, but you are pouring this floor on top of another poured floor, which I assume has rebar. Is that correct? If so then why not just use the fiber strands in the concrete. That would eliminate the possibility of someone stepping on the rebar during the pour and damaging the pex. I recently did a pour for a shed that my B26 was being stored in. I used steel and fiber strands. The concrete plant said it was overkill and wasting my money. They said the fiber strands gave it a rating very close to steel. I don't know if I believe that, but I do know that it is very strong and really helps prevent cracking in the concrete, which I would think was your main concern. Understand I am not trying to tell you how to do it, you are obviously very capable. Just wondering why.