Hello Everyone This video is about setting up the footings
for the dome. Footings and a frost wall are required here for a structure this size. Each
bend along the foundation is a calculated measurement along three known points and triangulated
out to each bend. The length of each board for the forms is also calculated.
[music] Each plank for the forms is cut to a fairly
accurate length so they will fit together properly.
[music] They are nailed together to temporarily hold
everything in place. The stakes with the red flags are the exact corners for each bend
of the finished wall. The wall will be 8 inches thick and the footings are 18 inches wide
so the outer edge of the footing needs to be roughly 5 inches from each stake.
[music] We ran into a little problem after some rain
which flooded the foundation hole, so we brought back the excavator to dig a trench from the
center of the dome out past the foundation so it could drain. When it was complete, we
were left with a muddy mess that was nearly impossible to walk in.
[music] Once the ground dried out a little bit I was
able to install a proper drain. First all the silt had to be removed from the trench
so that it wouldn’t clog the stone when it was placed in there. Three-quarter inch
washed stone was placed in the base of the trench and compacted into the remaining mud
so it would create a solid base. There isn’t much elevation to work with so the drain will
be set nearly level and will essentially work by hydraulic pressure.
[music] 4 inch perforated pipe is then placed and
leveled. The rest of the trench is then back filled with more stone.
[music] When it was complete the foundation hole was
able to drain properly. It even survived the heavy rains from hurricane Irene!
[music] Now we can get back to setting up the forms!
In order to keep the footings from separating when they were filled with concrete, reinforced
strapping was wrapped around each section. Each joint in the forms on any of the outside
corners also had 2 pieces of strap nailed into them to prevent them from splitting apart
from the force. [music]
Using
this laser level, I was able to set the forms perfectly level. Not shown, stakes were set
around all the forms and they were lifted level and screwed into the stakes. Once the
forms were level, any gaps under them were filled with dirt or stone so the concrete
wouldn't bleed through. [music]
We're finally ready for some concrete! [music]
I was able to recruit a "volunteer" to help spread and level the concrete. It took nearly
2 hours in the sweltering sun to get all the concrete poured.
[music] Once the concrete starts to set a bit, a keyway
is added along the top.
That's all for now. Up next is the foundation wall. Thanks for watching!