Terra-Dome Earth Shelter Build

SamWalton · Jun 7, 2009

Hello everyone,
Now that we have completed our road
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/133637-road-costing-advise-opinions.html
to our home site we completed some of the footings and the first Terra-Dome
Earth Sheltered Buildings
build will begin tomorrow. A few pictures to enjoy.

EddieWalker · Jun 7, 2009

WOW !!!! I'm really looking forward to this. I've always been facinated by Earthen Shelters and homes built under ground.

What are the demensions? How many Sq Ft?

Eddie

SamWalton · Jun 8, 2009

EddieWalker said:
WOW !!!! I'm really looking forward to this. I've always been facinated by Earthen Shelters and homes built under ground.

What are the demensions? How many Sq Ft?

Eddie

It is 3872 Sq Ft including the garage and 87' x 58', check out the floor plan.

have_blue · Jun 9, 2009

Congratulaitons on getting your home started.

I like the idea of no roof to blow away or be changed every 25 years. I'm sure heating and cooling costs are somewhat reduced, which will be very important in the coming years. My concerns are cost per square foot, plumbing, and no attic. Is plumbing conventional in the slab type, or does some of it run through the ceiling? If you miss your attic storage, you could always build a Terra Dome pole barn.

frwinks · Jun 9, 2009

super cool

please keep the pics and updates coming.. this is one of my favs building methods

forgeblast · Jun 9, 2009

Where i want to build our garage a terra dome would work great since it would be in a hillside. How are the domes formed? do you use one of those inflatable forms?

SamWalton · Jun 9, 2009

forgeblast said:
Where i want to build our garage a terra dome would work great since it would be in a hillside. How are the domes formed? do you use one of those inflatable forms?

A reinforced fiberglass dome is hydraulically lifted from its trailer while parked in the center of a module, then secured to the surrounding aluminum forms. The rebar, conduit and pressure treated block outs are added and a concrete pumper truck monolithically pours from the footings to the top of dome while worker vibrated to remove all voids. I our case we will have 4, 28' x 28' modules and one 14' x 28 flat roof section to complete our home.

JDeerekid · Jun 9, 2009

That is a cool design. I am looking forward to following your progress and seeing the end result.

How long will it take from start to finish?

AchingBack · Jun 9, 2009

I've long dreamed of building, and owning an earth home. Congratulations! My property is in a 100 year flood plain, and even though the FEMA maps are very inaccurate, the county would never allow me to put an earth home here. My next choice to replace my 1973 mobil home is a geodesic dome. Whatever I do, they will make me pay through the nose with permits, and flood plain certificates. Having been here 33 years, I am the expert on my property - not them.

forgeblast · Jun 10, 2009

That is amazing. Did you have to buy the forms or do you rent them from terra-dome?
Congrats on a such a unique and amazing design.

EddieWalker · Jun 10, 2009

Those forms are very impressive!!! I didn't realize there would be so much height to the rooms.

What sized rebar are you using? Do you have to use a special mix of concrete? Do you have a permit? I'd be curious about the process of getting the permit and the inspection process, but then again, I woudn't want to be the one to do it, just like to hear about it if you have to have one.

Thanks for the updates,
Eddie

jinman · Jun 10, 2009

Extremely interesting construction, Sam. I'm looking forward to following your progress. Good luck with everything.

woodlandfarms · Jun 10, 2009

Sam... I can't wait to see the end results...

Two things, First, did you change any of your layout from the original plan you posted? Also, did you ever do a cost analysis between this and a stick built? I was wondering what your motivation was.

Keep the pix coming. Such a great project / home. Can't wait to see the tractor on the roof mowing ;-)

SamWalton · Jun 10, 2009

JDeerekid said:
That is a cool design. I am looking forward to following your progress and seeing the end result.

How long will it take from start to finish?

They will be done with the super structure before the end of July but we will be working on all the under slab utilities such as conduit for electrical, Cat 6, smoke alarms, phone and video. Other utilities are black and gray water, wood stove fresh air intakes, PEX hot and cold supply lines, PEX in floor heating, HVAC Plenum, pressure loops and saddles. After we pour the slabs we will need to install windows and doors, then pull wire and install minimal kitchen and bath facilities to move in. After that it will be a daily grind until many of the tasks are complete.

SamWalton · Jun 11, 2009

AchingBack said:
I've long dreamed of building, and owning an earth home. Congratulations! My property is in a 100 year flood plain, and even though the FEMA maps are very inaccurate, the county would never allow me to put an earth home here. My next choice to replace my 1973 mobil home is a geodesic dome. Whatever I do, they will make me pay through the nose with permits, and flood plain certificates. Having been here 33 years, I am the expert on my property - not them.

I am sorry to hear your local government has their nose into your business. You got to wonder if we can really own land. I only need a DEQ permit for septic to build a home and don't pay taxes on our home until it is complete.

SamWalton · Jun 11, 2009

woodlandfarms said:
Sam... I can't wait to see the end results...

Two things, First, did you change any of your layout from the original plan you posted? Also, did you ever do a cost analysis between this and a stick built? I was wondering what your motivation was.

Keep the pix coming. Such a great project / home. Can't wait to see the tractor on the roof mowing ;-)

The floor plan posted in this thread is correct and I wouldn't consider stick built again. We are willing to pay more to do it right the first time and will recover all cost in the near future. We plan to be off the grid not just for the savings but to become self-reliant. We are planning for the worst but hoping for the best.

davo727 · Jun 11, 2009

SamWalton said:
. We plan to be off the grid not just for the savings but to become self-reliant. We are planning for the worst but hoping for the best.

Thats going to be an amazing place when your done. Im hoping that I can get set up on my property before the Zombie Apocalypse hits. Im serious, not zombies but other disasters etc.

psj12 · Jun 11, 2009

I have land very near you. PM sent

have_blue · Jun 11, 2009

SamWalton said:
We are willing to pay more to do it right the first time and will recover all cost in the near future. We plan to be off the grid not just for the savings but to become self-reliant. We are planning for the worst but hoping for the best.

There ya go!

Off grid is expensive, but the coming utility taxes (carbon taxes) can make your payback time shrink from 25-30 years to as few as 10 years. Not only that, but self reliance is PRICELESS!

Great and interesting project! Please keep the pictures coming!

yooperdave · Jun 11, 2009

How are you addressing Radon? Tight construction and underground construction with lots of concrete can make for unhealthy Radon levels unless addressed.

How much structural capacity did the engineer give your roof? Usually there is at least 18" of soil over the roof so the grass does not dry out - otherwise the roof needs to be watered.

What is the contractor using for waterproofing? Did the concrete spec include fly ash to make the concrete less porus - more dense and watertight?

Did the engineer design the concrete to meet ACI-318 code requirements?

Good Luck,

Yooper Dave