Klapton
08-12-2008, 12:35 PM
I was reading this article ( http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Homes/2006-10-01/Earth-sheltered-Homes.aspx ) about "Earth Sheltered" homes. He talks about dry-stacking concrete blocks being a good method for DIY. He then built a "living roof" on his.
DIY drystack concrete blocks, place rebar inside the spaces and bucket-fill with concrete. These guys have some examples of how it's done, and lots of other useful info about building this way. http://www.vobb.com/
But I was thinking about a concrete roof, then buried with earth. I was thinking that it might be possible to get some pre-cast concrete slabs, and lay them flat over the structure. So I guess the big question is whether or not these kind of walls could bear the load of a concrete and earth roof.
I would make the whole house about 30 feet wide, and however long I would want/need to fit everything I would need in there. The long side would face due south, with lots of windows etc. to get passive solar heat. I found this really neat site http://susdesign.com/tools.php where you can use their Window Overhang Design tool to see how big your overhangs should be for where you are building and the size of your windows. I would have about 4 foot overhangs on the south side.
Here's some enginerring info, but I can't really make heads nor tails of it. OBVIOUSLY one would have something like this engineered properly. http://www.vobb.com/engineer-tests.htm
http://www.vobb.com/engineers-reports.htm
But I guess what I'm asking is if a DIY concrete block, with earth bermed against it would support big-ol concrete slabs and earth on top?
DIY drystack concrete blocks, place rebar inside the spaces and bucket-fill with concrete. These guys have some examples of how it's done, and lots of other useful info about building this way. http://www.vobb.com/
But I was thinking about a concrete roof, then buried with earth. I was thinking that it might be possible to get some pre-cast concrete slabs, and lay them flat over the structure. So I guess the big question is whether or not these kind of walls could bear the load of a concrete and earth roof.
I would make the whole house about 30 feet wide, and however long I would want/need to fit everything I would need in there. The long side would face due south, with lots of windows etc. to get passive solar heat. I found this really neat site http://susdesign.com/tools.php where you can use their Window Overhang Design tool to see how big your overhangs should be for where you are building and the size of your windows. I would have about 4 foot overhangs on the south side.
Here's some enginerring info, but I can't really make heads nor tails of it. OBVIOUSLY one would have something like this engineered properly. http://www.vobb.com/engineer-tests.htm
http://www.vobb.com/engineers-reports.htm
But I guess what I'm asking is if a DIY concrete block, with earth bermed against it would support big-ol concrete slabs and earth on top?