Post by Jerry D Young on Feb 7, 2015 11:33:18 GMT -8
My thoughts on building earth sheltered structures
I am a huge fan of earth sheltered structures. From simple half bermed above ground homes and barns, to deep underground bunkers, and everything in between. Above ground and bermed to the roof line, Above ground and fully bermed and covered. Above ground with filled retaining wall construction. Partially under ground versions of the above. Shallow full bury, and deep full bury.
They all have similarities and differences. But there are some key items that I think must be addressed to make them effective living areas, storage areas, animal barns, and defensive ‘bunkers’.
1. Access: There must be at least two ways in and out, and three or more is preferable. One can be the main entrance, one can be a hidden escape system. The others can vary in use and form from these two. But always have an alternate way out besides the obvious entrance.
2. Ventilation: You will die in an enclosed space without proper ventilation, even if you have several entrances. If the air cannot flow, it will stagnate and you will eventually breathe out the oxygen content to a point where you die of CO2 poisoning or suffocation from lack of oxygen. The primary ventilation can be incorporated in the entrance structures, however. But, like the entrances, you need more than one ventilation system, which includes both intake and exhaust ducts. And they need to be designed so they can be shut off, just in case there is not any breathable air outside and one must use CO2 adsorption means to allow for longer times between having to introduce additional breathable air or add oxygen to the system. The systems, each of them, must provide for air flow. Natural flow with power assist is best, for if the power does go down, you will still get enough flow for safety.
3. Waterproofing: Even if you are on top of a mountain, with nowhere for rain to accumulate, you still need waterproofing for earth sheltered structures. Very good waterproofing. All six sides, if fully underground. Earth absorbs and holds moisture for a time, even if it can drain naturally. So even with good natural drainage, the structure needs to be waterproofed. And that includes a collection system and drainage system around the structure. Even the best waterproofing systems are not capable of preventing eventual water intrusion if the structure is in a virtual pool of water. The structure needs to sit on a gravel bed with drain lines installed to carry away any water that does collect, accumulate, and drain from the surface though the gravel backfilled all around the structure for that purpose.
4. Insulation: The earth surrounding an earth shelter structure will tend to keep the structure at a stable temperature. But that temperature is not always the temperature you want. So insulation from the earth is needed. You do want a lot of mass within the structure, which can be earth, to moderate temperature swings, but the insulation outside of that will prevent the constant loss of heat (or gain in some instances) over long periods of time, from that stable mass.
5. Reinforcement: There is seldom a question about the need for reinforcement for an earth sheltered structure. There is, however, sometimes a question about how much reinforcement is needed. A person can usually get by with the standard recommendations from an architect for standard underground structures. But as preppers, we are anticipating much heavier loads than regular architects are designing their buildings to survive. Major earthquakes in the 7, 8, 9, and even 10 range, nuclear blast ground shocks, etc. Nearby impacts of meteors. Fire storms raging overhead. You want much more than the minimum recommendations for a standard underground structure when it comes to reinforcement.
6. Water: Does not matter how much water there is outside the structure, or how close it is. You might not be able to get to it. So have plenty of storage for water. And a means to draw water from sources without exposing oneself. This can be a well inside the structure. Can be lines run to springs or ponds or lakes or rivers, underground, with nothing obvious on the surface that will indicate their presence. You will need lots of water. More than most people think, even in regular times. And while people can reduce the amount of water they need at times, long term, you will need a lot more than most provide for. Store, store, and store some more. And have those alternative sources.
7. Sanitation: If you have water and food, you are going to need sanitation facilities. The same aspects apply to sanitation as apply to water. Lots of storage, a means to remove it rather than obtain it, and some alternative means to deal with it.
8. The same goes for garbage and other solid wastes. You will need a means to store and then eliminate cans, paper, bottles, and so on that are no longer needed. And there could be long periods between the time the stuff is accumulated and the time you can get rid of it. Storage, storage, storage.
9. Other minimums: Just like reinforcement, going with any minimums in the construction and equipping of an earth sheltered structure that might last for several hundred years, is a major mistake. Use oversize conduit for electrical lines. Put in extra oversize conduits. Use larger plumbing lines than one has to have to get by. Incorporate large water, fuel, and sanitation tanks rather than small ones. Everything down the line should be geared for future expansion for things that are not required at the moment, but could be, and for things that are not even available now, but will be in the future. Lots of electrical outlets. Dual 240v/120v & 12v systems. Space and supports for double the number of PV panels wanted initially. Five or six times the storage needed at the moment. If you go with minimums, you will be living a minimal life. And while that might sound great right now, it might not always be what you want. Now, this does not mean everything has to be built right now. But allowances and provisions should be made to make it as easy, and inexpensive, to do later.
10. Other structures. Most of the above are for structures intended for human habitation. But even simple storage units need much of the same things applied to them. And animal barns and shelters need almost the same thing, if not more so.
There are many other factors involved in a prepper acceptable earth sheltered structure. But I think those above are the most important.
Just my opinion.
I am a huge fan of earth sheltered structures. From simple half bermed above ground homes and barns, to deep underground bunkers, and everything in between. Above ground and bermed to the roof line, Above ground and fully bermed and covered. Above ground with filled retaining wall construction. Partially under ground versions of the above. Shallow full bury, and deep full bury.
They all have similarities and differences. But there are some key items that I think must be addressed to make them effective living areas, storage areas, animal barns, and defensive ‘bunkers’.
1. Access: There must be at least two ways in and out, and three or more is preferable. One can be the main entrance, one can be a hidden escape system. The others can vary in use and form from these two. But always have an alternate way out besides the obvious entrance.
2. Ventilation: You will die in an enclosed space without proper ventilation, even if you have several entrances. If the air cannot flow, it will stagnate and you will eventually breathe out the oxygen content to a point where you die of CO2 poisoning or suffocation from lack of oxygen. The primary ventilation can be incorporated in the entrance structures, however. But, like the entrances, you need more than one ventilation system, which includes both intake and exhaust ducts. And they need to be designed so they can be shut off, just in case there is not any breathable air outside and one must use CO2 adsorption means to allow for longer times between having to introduce additional breathable air or add oxygen to the system. The systems, each of them, must provide for air flow. Natural flow with power assist is best, for if the power does go down, you will still get enough flow for safety.
3. Waterproofing: Even if you are on top of a mountain, with nowhere for rain to accumulate, you still need waterproofing for earth sheltered structures. Very good waterproofing. All six sides, if fully underground. Earth absorbs and holds moisture for a time, even if it can drain naturally. So even with good natural drainage, the structure needs to be waterproofed. And that includes a collection system and drainage system around the structure. Even the best waterproofing systems are not capable of preventing eventual water intrusion if the structure is in a virtual pool of water. The structure needs to sit on a gravel bed with drain lines installed to carry away any water that does collect, accumulate, and drain from the surface though the gravel backfilled all around the structure for that purpose.
4. Insulation: The earth surrounding an earth shelter structure will tend to keep the structure at a stable temperature. But that temperature is not always the temperature you want. So insulation from the earth is needed. You do want a lot of mass within the structure, which can be earth, to moderate temperature swings, but the insulation outside of that will prevent the constant loss of heat (or gain in some instances) over long periods of time, from that stable mass.
5. Reinforcement: There is seldom a question about the need for reinforcement for an earth sheltered structure. There is, however, sometimes a question about how much reinforcement is needed. A person can usually get by with the standard recommendations from an architect for standard underground structures. But as preppers, we are anticipating much heavier loads than regular architects are designing their buildings to survive. Major earthquakes in the 7, 8, 9, and even 10 range, nuclear blast ground shocks, etc. Nearby impacts of meteors. Fire storms raging overhead. You want much more than the minimum recommendations for a standard underground structure when it comes to reinforcement.
6. Water: Does not matter how much water there is outside the structure, or how close it is. You might not be able to get to it. So have plenty of storage for water. And a means to draw water from sources without exposing oneself. This can be a well inside the structure. Can be lines run to springs or ponds or lakes or rivers, underground, with nothing obvious on the surface that will indicate their presence. You will need lots of water. More than most people think, even in regular times. And while people can reduce the amount of water they need at times, long term, you will need a lot more than most provide for. Store, store, and store some more. And have those alternative sources.
7. Sanitation: If you have water and food, you are going to need sanitation facilities. The same aspects apply to sanitation as apply to water. Lots of storage, a means to remove it rather than obtain it, and some alternative means to deal with it.
8. The same goes for garbage and other solid wastes. You will need a means to store and then eliminate cans, paper, bottles, and so on that are no longer needed. And there could be long periods between the time the stuff is accumulated and the time you can get rid of it. Storage, storage, storage.
9. Other minimums: Just like reinforcement, going with any minimums in the construction and equipping of an earth sheltered structure that might last for several hundred years, is a major mistake. Use oversize conduit for electrical lines. Put in extra oversize conduits. Use larger plumbing lines than one has to have to get by. Incorporate large water, fuel, and sanitation tanks rather than small ones. Everything down the line should be geared for future expansion for things that are not required at the moment, but could be, and for things that are not even available now, but will be in the future. Lots of electrical outlets. Dual 240v/120v & 12v systems. Space and supports for double the number of PV panels wanted initially. Five or six times the storage needed at the moment. If you go with minimums, you will be living a minimal life. And while that might sound great right now, it might not always be what you want. Now, this does not mean everything has to be built right now. But allowances and provisions should be made to make it as easy, and inexpensive, to do later.
10. Other structures. Most of the above are for structures intended for human habitation. But even simple storage units need much of the same things applied to them. And animal barns and shelters need almost the same thing, if not more so.
There are many other factors involved in a prepper acceptable earth sheltered structure. But I think those above are the most important.
Just my opinion.