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Last updated Thursday, January 17, 2002 |
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Once the Trusses were up and the viga mounted we had a reference to measure out from to start on the front wall. This is a short(height) straight wall that the front face(greenhouse) mounts to. As Earthships have evolved this front wall has moved further and further out. In the original ships the greenhouse was more of a hallway or breezeway, it has now become a living space. Most of our kitchen and the bathroom will be within the greenhouse. It will also provide space for 3 indoor planters(kitchen, bathroom sink, and tub/shower). And of course it still provides access through the house. Below we have started on the first row. The ground actually slopes from east to west in a downward way. About 4 more tires and we will step up. We are starting with 16.5's. We will step down in size every layer until we get to small 15's for the top row. Because the front face demands such exacting construction we are being even more exact in the leveling job.
The front wall will be getting a wooden bond beam. All the other tire walls in the house have a concrete bond beam. After getting the tires done the next step is to dig out the center of every tire. Then pound a 5/8 inch by 4 foot rebar through the tires and into the ground below. The rebar is pounded so the end is just below the level of the top of the tire. The hole is then filled with concrete and a 5/8 foundation bolt is hung in the cement. The bond beam will be bolted down using the bolt and a nut. Here's the wall right after we have poured the concrete. You can see the bolts sticking up put of the concrete.
Here's another view. The area the ladder is standing in will be a modified Hut with a dome roof.
The front wall will see some side loads because of the slope built into the front face. So the out side of the wall is infilled with concrete like the cisterns. Here's a picture if the infill process.
Once the infill is complete its time to install the bond beam. Its a double 2x8, the bottom piece treated the top fir. The bottom piece is bolted down, then the top piece is nailed and glued to the bottom piece. Before installing the the bottom piece you place a double layer of plastic over the wall to protect it from any moisture interring the wall through a leak. Below you can see the bottom board has been attached. Some if the bolts stick up above the bottom board so the top board must be drilled first. Zoli is applying Liquid nails to the next piece of top board.
Once done you have a 4x8 beam firmly attached and ready for the front face.
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