Building Advice

[Alright71]

Verticaltrx, what would you recommend using for the walls? The load bearing structure would be metal but then do you think i should use the dirt blocks to fill in the front, back and sides?

 

[forgeblast]

I was thinking of a metal timberframed building. using the poles to create the structure and then using what is available to "fill in" think of cordwood, or strawbale houses.

 

[PapaPerk]

There is a company that makes connectors for metal tubing... Basically like making a big tent. This may save you the hassle of welding, etc. Or you may be able to duplicate the connectors.

I'll try to find the link and post.

 

[PapaPerk]

Here's a site that list a few of the different connectors I was talking about. Will take some research on your behalf to determine what would be best. But this certainly could work for u.

http://www.frameconnector.com/

I like the sound of using the local mud bricks for the walls. In fact with that method u may only need the steel for the roof structure depending on load capacity of the mud bricks. It all goes back to studying how other buildings are made in the area.

 

[IslandTractor]

Local design, local materials, local labor. If you do anything else you are likely to end up with an unsustainable mess.

 

[forgeblast]

Plus with local you are employing local, and making some friends and inroads into the community.

 

[Alright71]

ok, so here is my initial thought, before i started this thread. I was thinking about going old school and building a quanset hut, similar to those used in WW2.

Unfortunately, as i am 29, my experience with them has been rather limited. I don't think bending the tube will be a problem. Where i have the questions is in the materials. The big one is how should i cover it? Im thinking about using the locally available metal corrugate and laying it on i'ts side. I know that this is risky considering that we do have a rainy season here but i think if we start at the ground and work towards the center, overlapping 2 or 3 ridges it may work.

What do you all think about this idea in general?

Thank you for your input!

Blake

 

[IslandTractor]

ok, so here is my initial thought, before i started this thread. I was thinking about going old school and building a quanset hut, similar to those used in WW2.

Unfortunately, as i am 29, my experience with them has been rather limited. I don't think bending the tube will be a problem.
.........

What do you all think about this idea in general?

Bending corrugated flat steel into round sections will be a huge problem. Quonset huts were not bent on site. The rounded sections came that way from the steel mill and were just bolted together on site. The corrugation will resist bending in the longitudinal axis you need to bend it.

If you have access to metal roofing then design a structure of local material to go under it.

 

[PapaPerk]

How does the saying go????

"When in Rome do as the Romans do." :thumbsup:

 

[joeyd]

What about using steel shipping containers? There are many websites that show you how to use them as structures or just place them side by side or end to end and use each one for a different purpose. They are very secure and strong.