Posts regarding ‘Foundation Systems’

Framing and Drainage

October 30th, 2009 by snugganut

Today the framing of the second floor began, and measures were taken to provide proper drainage from the building.

Click here to view the entire Nauhaus Prototype Construction Chronology.

Tim uses a custom-made tool to measure for the Hemcrete.

Tim uses a custom tool to measure for Hemcrete.

David Madera stopped by to discuss Hemcrete.

David Madera stopped by to discuss Hemcrete.

A strip drain is placed at the bottom of each wall.

A strip drain is placed at the bottom of each wall.

Gravel is shoveled into the Eastern trench.

Gravel is shoveled into the Eastern trench.

East Wall

Wast Wall Framing

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Concrete Scoring and Hemcrete Testing

October 10th, 2009 by snugganut

Today, the concrete slab was scored on a three foot grid, to prevent cracking.  David Madera and Greg Flavell of Hemp Technologies also helped us to perform a full-size Hemcrete test.

Click here to view the entire Nauhaus Prototype Construction Chronology.

Scored Concrete Slab

Scored Concrete Slab

Scored Concrete Slab

Scored Concrete Slab

Hemcrete Mix

Hemcrete Mix

12" Hemcrete Form

12" Hemcrete Form

Completed 12" Hemcrete Wall

Completed Hemcrete Wall

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Concrete Slab and Storm Drain

October 8th, 2009 by snugganut

Today, JBS Construction came back to pour the concrete slab over the vapor barrier.

Click here to view the entire Nauhaus Prototype Construction Chronology.

JBS places a matrix of rebar over the hardened foam.

JBS places a matrix of rebar over the hardened foam.

Concrete Pour in Mechanical Room

Concrete Pour in Mechanical Room

Jeff and Jackson Buscher

Jeff and Jackson Buscher

JBS Smoothing the Slab

JBS Smoothing the Slab

Slab at Corner

Slab at Corner

New Storm Drain

New Storm Drain

New Box for Replaced Storm Drain

New Box for Replaced Storm Drain

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Foam Insulation Sprayed

October 7th, 2009 by snugganut

Today, Home Energy Partners came out to spray the closed-cell insulation for the slab and exterior walls.

Click here to view the entire Nauhaus Prototype Construction Chronology.

Advantek sheathing and brick mold are installed first to stop the foam and eventually to support the Hemcrete.

Advantek sheathing and brick mold are installed first to stop the foam and eventually to support the Hemcrete.

Brick Mold Installation

Brick Mold Installation

Home Energy Partners Spraying North Wall

Home Energy Partners Spraying North Wall

Home Energy Partners Spraying North Wall

Home Energy Partners Spraying North Wall

Home Energy Partners Spraying Underslab Foam Insulation

Home Energy Partners Spraying Underslab Foam Insulation

Home Energy Partners Spraying Underslab Foam Insulation

Home Energy Partners Spraying Underslab Foam Insulation

Spray Foam Insulation around Ground Loop Stub-out

Spray Foam Insulation around Ground Loop Stub-out

Spray Foam Insulation on CMU

Spray Foam Insulation on CMU

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Gravel and Vapor Barrier

October 2nd, 2009 by snugganut

Today, another 20 mil. vapor barrier was spread over gravel, in preparation for the insulation and concrete slab.

Click here to view the entire Nauhaus Prototype Construction Chronology.

Drain and Insulation with Gravel

Drain and Insulation with Gravel

Finished Gravel

Finished Gravel

Vapor Barrier at CMU

Vapor Barrier at CMU

All penetrations through the vapor barrier are carefully sealed.

All penetrations through the vapor barrier are carefully sealed.

Finished Vapor Barrier

Finished Vapor Barrier



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AAC and CMU

September 15th, 2009 by snugganut

Guthrie Masonry came today to install the AAC and Concrete blocks.

Click here to view the entire Nauhaus Prototype Construction Chronology.

The AAC Blocks are Installed on top of the Concrete Footers.

The 12" AAC blocks are installed on top of the concrete footers.

The 12" concrete blocks create a retaining wall on the East side.

The 12" concrete blocks create a retaining wall on the East side.

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Rebar and Concrete Footers

September 9th, 2009 by snugganut

Today Carolina Ready Mix poured the concrete footers.

Click here to view the entire Nauhaus Prototype Construction Chronology.

Carolina Ready Mix Concrete Truck

Carolina Ready Mix Concrete Truck

Rebar in Footer Trench

Rebar in Footer Trench

Carolina Ready Mix Pouring Concrete Footers

Carolina Ready Mix Pouring Concrete Footers

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Vapor Barrier Under Footers

September 4th, 2009 by snugganut

Today a 20 mil. vapor barrier was laid in the trenches.  The concrete footers will be poured on top.   Radon pipes were installed for future venting if necessary, and greywater pipes were stubbed-out in hopes that one day a legal greywater system will be possible.

Click here to view the entire Nauhaus Prototype Construction Chronology.

View of Completed Vapor Barrier from Southwest

View of Completed Vapor Barrier from Southwest

tim vapor barrier

Tim Callahan

Stubbed-out Radon and Greywater Pipes

Stubbed-out Radon and Greywater Pipes

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Foundation Capillary Breaks

March 5th, 2009 by Seldom

Building Science Corporation:

The theoretical limit of capillary rise in concrete is about 10 kilometers—and folks that is not a typo—it really is about 10 kilometers or about 6 miles. Concrete sucks big time. In wood it is about 400 feet—the height limit trees can grow to is set by the size of the capillary pores in wood. Ever wonder how leaves get water? When you go into a forest and listen very carefully you don’t hear any pumps pumping water upwards a couple of hundred feet do you? Capillary suction is powerful stuff. When you add salt to the water the power becomes explosive—literally as we shall see…

The article goes into detail about using lime mortar as a sacrificial layer to protect brick, and detailing foundations to direct capillary water to the outside.

:: BSC | Capillarity—Small Sacrifices

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Radon Piping Detail

February 16th, 2009 by Seldom

Building Science Corporation radon piping detail:

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