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Building in Coupeville 3 . Reinforced Concrete basement walls .


Just after the Labour Day weekend holiday Eric's team began setting up the forms that would hold the concrete in place around the reinforcing rods .
Firstly Kurt examined the plans to determine where the driveway would end up . Now that the basement footings were in place he first calculated how high the ground floor surface would be . Then he took off 21 inches for the final height of the garage screed . This would give three steps down from the kitchen to the garage . From this he knew the height of the driveway at the garage . He then set up a string line from here heading to the driveway stub . This was to be the ground height across the building and determined where the basement concrete walls could step down .
By code here the walls must either be full height so they are supported by the floor joists or can be a maximum of five feet to support a maximum of four feet of soil . Any more soil and the wall could bow out where the concrete attaches to the wooden section .
The next job was to cut and tie reed bar the correct height to the uprights coming out of the footings . Here again for earthquake resistance the steel is on one foot centres . Finally the sides of the wall form were positioned located in the clips which had earlier been affixed into the footings . These were 1 1/4 inch ply and start out 8' x 2' but are cut on site as required for the actual wall sizes . They are placed horizontally and held together at the top by " spring clips " . Once the next level is in position these are secured with special metal wedges called " shoes ".
The top sections are held using some of the same clips that were used at the base though these can be removed later .
The wall ends for changes in level are formed with 8" x 2" either plane or where desirable treated cedar with nails set at angles into the form . Finally before the concrete can be poured everything is leveled , squared straightened and braced .
Finally everything was ready for the big pour ! Again Eric's team worked in unison . Eric wrestled the concrete anaconda whilst tightrope walking around the form greatly assisted by the fine control of the boom operator from Pugit Sound Pumping ! . A continuous pour where necessary in layers to reduce stress on the form . The top which had previously been marked by chalkline was accuratly reached and perfected by jeff and Kurt who stired with black marigolds and floated to perfection . The hurricane straps were already in the form . The many hold down bolts were finally accurately placed to the specified locations in the firming concrete and the right depth for a possible 3 1/2 sole plate which would give 2" more ceiling height in the basement and a 2" taller building .
At last next day the form was removed and the structure was revealed in all its glory .
All this for $ 300-00 a cubic yard plus pumping ! I am well pleased with the result - Pictures here .
More to come - watch this space !
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