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Building Homes or Extensions/Two story pourd concrete house

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Expert: - 5/24/2009


Question

The hill
I want to build a two story concrete structure. Back and sides placed into a hillside. Front exposed to south. Passive solar. First floor is drivein basemant and small apartment. second floor is bedroom, kitchen,bath,and living room. Log beams for flooring and rafters. Half loft above. 20 foot pourd walls. Can this be done? Thanks for your ideas. --- Greg

Answer
Greg, as with so many things, certainly it can be done - some things just cost a bit more.  Which hill? -the one right in front of the human or the one way in the back of the picture?

The 20' deep walls are possible, though the pressure in the bottom of the forms is huge and will require some top notch form design.  You would be far ahead to design for multiple pours to reduce the pressures.  From your picture, your largest hurdle will be getting materials on site.  Concrete can be sent in by helicopter or possibly by line pump if you do not exceed the vertical design distance of the pump.  Both alternatives are quite expensive.

Timber beams, joists, and rafters are pretty but will require extensive engineering and a great deal of carpenter skill to set in a true plane.  You will not be satisfied using it as flooring, decking, or any other form of sheathing.

I suspect you think this will be "so cheap" to build right on site with the materials that are already here.  Our forefathers did this with great success and, sometimes, major calamity.  I think you would need to really see the lack of quality, flatness, finishes, high labor factor, etc  to see how far they were from what I bet your expectations are.  I suppose you want electricity, gas, and air conditioning too.

I do not mean to discourage you, but I do want you to start thinking ralistically about building in a remote location.  Every phase and element of construction costs a great deal more once you're not working on a city lot.  Just the dozer work to create a road and building site will be major and I would guess you will need to create a major retainer system to not lose the hillside.

Dan Griffin

Expertise

I can answer almost all questions related to the total construction process. My expertise is in commercial construction, though I can field most any residential question. I have hands on experience in concrete, heavy equipment, masonry, all phases of carpentry, interior finishes, and I am fairly strong in mechanical and electrical.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience as a commercial carpenter and commercial construction superintendent. I have another 20 years experience in facility management for a major school district.

Organizations
My favorite hobby for he past 12 years has been singing bass in a The OkChorale men's barbershop chorus and the Mature Moments quartet.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Bachelor's degree in English and Math. I have completed many continuing education hours in the building trades. I hold a Master Carpenter card from the AGC, Associated General Contractors.

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