Katie 2013 Log
Tue Mar 12, 2013
Reviewed parameters of Test Assignment received from Marcin Jakubowski on Mar 11, 2013. Created Katie Log.
Wed Mar 13, 2013 to Fri Mar 15, 2013
My primary source for foundation decisions is the Builder’s Foundation Handbook, by the U.S. Department of Energy Building Envelope Systems and Material (BTESM) Research Program out of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This resource highlights energy efficiency and cost.
Foundation
Three basic types of foundation – full, basement, crawl space, and slab-on-grade Cite: Builder’s Foundation Handbook, p.6.
Four factors to consider when choosing foundation: Cite: Builder’s Foundation Handbook, p.7
1. Site conditions:
a. Topography is rolling hills and plains. The Soil Survey of Dekalb County, Missouri conducted in 1916, is the most recent soil survey. “[Dekalb County] occupies a broad rolling, well-dissected plain, with a gradual slope to south and south east…The surface varies from flat to moderately hilly, although more than 80 percent of the area is only gently rolling. No considerable part of the county is too flat to have a good surface drainage” Cite: The Soil Survey of Dekalb County, Missouri, p.5.
b. Water table location (not an issue for foundation, instead optimistic for sourcing well water) "There is no difficulty in obtaining an abundant supply of water by means of dug wells. The wells are usually 35 to 65 feet in depth, through borings have been made to 165 feet. The depth of the wells generally is equal to the thickness of the layers of unconsolidated material” Cite: The Soil Survey of Dekalb County, Missouri, p.6.
c. Radon: I recommend conducting a self-test to determine local radon level. Some self-test options found here: Radon Test Options. Justification for self-test: The county of DeKalb has a radon level of 4.3 pCi/L Cite: County Radon Info. The EPA’s recommends corrective measures for all levels above 4.0 pCi/L Cite: Radon.com. Corrective measures recommended by the Builder’s Foundation Handbook and the EPA include gravel beneath slab, polyethylene, vent, plastic Cite: EPA Radon Mitigation. If a self-test confirms the local radon level to be above 4.0 pCi/L, then I recommend adhering to the Builder’s Foundation Handbook recommendations with respect to radon mitigation measures.
d. Soil type: “Expansive clay soils on a site requires special techniques” Cite: Builder’s Foundation Handbook, p.6. Based on the information in Soil Survey of Dekalb County, Missouri, I am not considering clay to be an issue. Soil seems to be the primary soil type, recognizing this is an assumption I need to verify.
e. Depth of bedrock – Limestone and shale Cite: USGS
2. Building design is not a consideration here as the Builder’s Foundation Handbook considers building design with respect to aesthetics, which are a low priority. The design will form out of function, but there is little emphasis on aesthetics, if any.
3. Climate determines minimum foundation footing depth. Determining footing depth was enlightening. The following are notes, but the immediate answer is 3 FT. While searching for building codes, “Missouri does not have a statewide building or energy code. Each local jurisdiction has the authority to adopt its own code. In most cases, local jurisdictions have adopted the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) International, National Building Code (NBC), although the western part of the state has adopted the International Conference Building Officials (ICBO), Uniform Building Code (UBC) and a few localities in the southeast use the Southern Building Code Congress, International (SBCCI) Standard Building Code (SBC). Missouri General Assembly passed a bill that would allow the county commission of any county to adopt a building code subject to voter approval. In creating or amending such code, a calendar year 1999 or later edition of a nationally recognized building code must be adopted. (Section 64.180, RSMo)” Cite: DSIRE.
Interior vertical insulation is the most cost-effective approach to insulating, please see Comparison of Insulation Approaches, Cite: Builder's Foundation Handbook, p.62 the Builder’s Foundation Handbook for comparisons.
Insulation Recommendation for Slab-on-Grade Foundations, Table 4-1 Cite: Builder's Foundation Handbook, p.58: Parameters are the 4-6000 Heating Degree Days (KAN CITY), concrete foundation walls with interior insulation placed vertically, and a lower end price level. Using the aforementioned parameters, Builder's Foundation Handbook recommends a configuration of 2 FT DEEP: R-5 interior vertically placed insulation. However based on further digging, 3 FT DEEP foundation might be required Cite: DIY Forum. Must connect with a local contractor.
“The construction system in all cases is concrete with foundation wall extending 2 or 4 feet deep with the upper 8 inches of the foundation wall exposed on the exterior” Cite: Builder's Foundation Handbook, p.58-59. Based on Table 4-1 in the Builder’s Foundation Handbook, 2 FT is recommended, but due to this DIY Forum I am recommending 3 FT.
4. Local cost: “Virtually any foundation type and construction system can be built in any location in the United States. The relative costs, however, are likely to differ. These costs reflect local material and labor costs as well as the availability of certain materials and the preferences of local contractors” Cite: Builder's Foundation Handbook, p.7.
Foundation recommendation summary: Slab-on-Grade Foundation with a 3 FT DEEP perimeter, vertically placed R-5 interior insulation. See Figure 4-16 Cite: Builder's Foundation Handbook, p.74. A significant note when referring to Figure 4-16 is that the insulation is horizontally, not vertically placed. Refer to Figure 4-15 Cite: Builder's Foundation Handbook, p.74 for the insulation piece.
The above design concept, uses a brick veneer, see the Wikipedia page on Masonry Veneer for additional veneer information and references. However, assuming that the mud bricks produced at Factor e Farm are structural bricks, I recommend brick construction rather than brick veneer. See the Wikipedia page on Masonry for additional masonry information and references. Interior above ground insulation can be added later.
Sat Mar 16, 2013
The biggest take away I have from the past couple of days is that building codes and regulations are not posted online. There are international , national, regional, county, city and local codes/regulations. All of which are constantly adapting to climate impacts and technology. That said, the below plan is evolving since the information available is piecemeal. Why is it piecemeal? Traditionally when building, people emulate other local structures. Since one room studios are not common in Missouri, emulating is not an option. The next step is to source building codes and regulations. Google building code and building regulations and you are directed to local contractors, but no building codes and regulations. I was able to rangle an informal conversation with an architect in Alexandria, VA. The architect confirmed that building codes/regulations are not out posted for public perusing. The information can be tapped using local contractors and/or local building departments.
Connecting with a local Maysville or St. Joseph contractor would be ideal.
Sun Mar 17, 2013
Drainage
“Because a slab-on-grade floor is above the surrounding exterior grade, no subsurface drainage system or waterproofing is required.” However, “the ground surface should slope downward at leadt 5 percent (6 inches) over the first 10 feet surrounding the foundation edge” Cite: Builder's Foundation Handbook, p.75.
Septic System
"A septic tank/absorption field is the most common onsite sewage treatment system in use in Missouri. Nearly 30 percent of all housing units in Missouri use onsite wastewater treatment systems most of these are septic tank/absorption field systems. Several surveys throughout the state have shown that 70 percent, or 150,000, of these systems are not functioning properly. Based on the General Soils Map of Missouri, counties in the Missouri Ozarks are particularly at risk. Depending on the county, 60 to 99 percent of the soils show severe limitations for using absorption field systems" Cite: Septic Tank/Absorption Field Systems, by Robert A. Schultheis, an Agricultural Engineering Specialist.
Plan of action: Become familiar with Schultheis's article referenced above. Call every septic professional in and around Maysville, MO for additional insight on 1) wether septic installation is a DIY option and 2) if not, with which septic professional to do business. Taking the time to meeting and familiarize oneself with local professionals is time consuming. However, it is beneficial to budget and system education/understanding. The right septic system meets current/future needs and location code/regulation. The right septic professional takes the time to explain what works in your specific location for your specific needs. Reference Missouri Department of Health's C9 CSR 20-3.060, Minimum Construction Standards for On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems, p.17. Schultheis's above comments emphasize the significance that must be placed on proper installation.
Floor Plan
I recommend a 16 X 16 FT floor plan, see Tranquil Cottage's 16 X16 Floor Plan. If construction is successful, then future plans can be larger, see additional Tranquil Cottage Floor Plans.
Reused and Recycled Building Materials
Plan of action: Scour local MO locations for reused and recycled building materials, see St. Louis Reused and Recycled Building and Construction Materials. To accommodate for different size windows, doors, this must be completed prior to building house walls.
Advantages: low prices, often superior quality once refinished, contributes character and charm
Below are some pricing breakouts, Amanda Abrams's 2011 Saving Money with Salvaged Building Materials article.
Salvaged oak flooring: $1 to $3 per sq. ft. New oak flooring: $4 to $10 per sq. ft. Average savings for 12x16-foot room: $960
Salvaged interior solid panel door (basic): $20 to $50 New interior panel door: $100 to $200 Average savings: $115
Secondhand pedestal sink: $20 to $250 New pedestal sink: $100 to $800 Average savings: $315
Disadvantages: selection of reused and reclaimed building materials vary, may require extra work to install, such as refinishing or reframing, may deviate from original plans due to size variations, may not be as energy efficient (windows particularly)
Windows
Strongly recommend sourcing windows from reused and recycled building and construction materials.
I digress to show you these incredible Greenhouses. Collecting reusable building materials is beneficial for future projects. I strongly recommend it.
Walls
As directed, see Compressed Earth Blocks for materials recommended. Of course, I also recommend coating with stucco.