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12 Apr 2006 |
Removal of Topsoil
An excavator removes the topsoil from the area where the house is to be built. Several deep holes have already been dug for the soil survey. This showed that there is a thick layer of fertile but unstable black soil that expands when wet, and shrinks and cracks when it dries; however underneath that is a firm mineral layer good for building on.
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12 Apr 2006 |
Marking Foundation Lines
The lines of the foundation are marked out in lime. The front of the house will be built off the patio seen in the foreground.
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12 Apr 2006 |
Start of Excavation
The start of the excavation for the foundation, which will be of reinforced concrete and be 2 meters deep. This will be much more substantial than the usual 90 cm deep traditional rock foundation.
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19 Apr 2006 |
Foundation Assemblies
A view of the foundation excavations. In the right foreground is rebar (varilla) the steel used for reinforcements. This is cut and assembled with steel rod (alambron) and steel wire (alambre). On the left is a foundation base (zapata).
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20 Apr 2006 |
Completed Excavation
This shows all the holes for the foundation having been excavated. The floor is in the firm mineral layer that is 1.0 to 1.3 meters below the unstable black soil. The overall depth of 2 meters is necessitated by the height of the patio.
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26 Apr 2006 |
Leveled Foundation Floor
The floor of the foundation holes is carefully leveled, and a layer of concrete laid. Then steel assemblies for the foundation base (zapatas) are placed on the concrete. Also shown are two columns at the front of the house that are inset into the patio.
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05 May 2006 |
Installed Foundation Assemblies
The floor of the foundation holes is carefully leveled, and a layer of concrete laid. Then An overview showing most of the assemblies now in place. On the zapatas are the steel for tie-beams (dalas) tand tie-columns (castillos). These are used to confine the brickwork to give better earthquake resistance than plain masonry.
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05 May 2006 |
Foundation Reinforcements by Covered Patio
A closer view of some of the elaborate steel reinforcements. The chicken wire and plastic surrounds on the mounds of soil are to prevent contamination of the concrete to be applied.
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05 May 2006 |
Foundation Reinforcements by Living Room
The foundation reinforcements at the side of the living room. These are all assembled by hand from rebar, connected by collars (estribos) bent into shape from steel rod (alambron), and tied with steel wire (alambre).
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05 May 2006 |
Foundation Reinforcements by Half Bathroom
The foundation reinforcements looking from the right side of the patio. The whole foundation is connected and forms a supporting structure that is both cohesive and flexible, unlike traditional rock footings. The firm light-colored mineral layer can be seen clearly below the dark soil.
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05 May 2006 |
Overview from Across Canal
An overview of the construction from the other side of the canal, showing the large hole in the ground where the house is being built.
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05 May 2006 |
Detail of Column Reinforcements
A close-up of one of the five columns, showing how the grooved rebar (varilla) and steel rod collar (estribo) are tied together with steel wire (alambre). The castillos and dalas are assembled in the same way.
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05 May 2006 |
Foundation Reinforcements by Patio
A view of the foundation reinforcements looking toward the patio.
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05 May 2006 |
Foundation Reinforcements Overview
A more general view of the foundation reinforcements.
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05 May 2006 |
Pouring Foundation Base
The next stage is to pour a few centimeters of concrete around the zapatas to form the base of the foundations. This was the only time during the entire construction that a cement mixer was used!
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05 May 2006 |
More Deliveries
Throughout the main phase of construction of about 9 months, there were frequent deliveries of tonne after tonne of materials. It was hardly surprising that the garden got into a terrible state.
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08 May 2006 |
Pouring Base of Footings
The dalas are now also covered with concrete. Wooden molds hold the concrete in place.
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08 May 2006 |
Poured Footings by Living Room
A view over the front of the living room with many of the dalas completed.
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08 May 2006 |
Poured Footings Looking Toward Patio
Another view of the dalas and castillos looking toward the patio.
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09 May 2006 |
Covering Footings with Tar
Tar is placed on top of the dalas to prevent damp penetration.
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09 May 2006 |
Start of Foundation Walls
Then foundation walls are built on top of the dalas. Large solid concrete bricks are used to give greater strength than clay ones. This overview shows the start of this process.
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09 May 2006 |
Foundation Walls by Living Room
View from the front of the living room with some foundation walls in place.
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09 May 2006 |
Foundation Walls by Patio
The foundation wall for the entrance of the house, which like most walls is built to a height of 5cm below the patio. The 20cm high dala on top of this will bring it to the main floor level, which is 15cm above the patio.
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14 May 2006 |
Foundation Walls Overview
A view showing most of the foundation walls now complete.
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14 May 2006 |
Pouring Foundation Wall Castillos
The next step is to fill the castillos with concrete. Again, wooden molds hold the concrete in place.
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15 May 2006 |
Column Base by Patio
The base of one of the two front columns inset 2m below the patio.
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17 May 2006 |
Filling Spaces in Foundation
Now all the spaces between the foundation walls are filled with rock and gravel. This also applies to the trenches outside the foundation.
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17 May 2006 |
Laying Dalas on Foundation Walls
Now all the spaces between the foundation walls are filled with rock and gravel. This also applies to the trenches outside the foundation.
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18 May 2006 |
Start of Plumbing Installations
The drains (for both rainwater and sewage) are also installed at this time.
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18 May 2006 |
More Filling of Foundation Spaces
Large quantities of material are needed to fill all the spaces in the foundation up to the level of the floor. This material must be thoroughly compressed to provide a firm base for the floors.
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18 May 2006 |
Pouring of Foundation Dalas
The dalas on top of the foundation walls are surrounded by concrete, again using molds.
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21 May 2006 |
View of Foundations with Plumbing
Part of the foundations showing some completed foundation walls and installed drainage pipes.
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21 May 2006 |
Foundations in Living Room
The foundations of the rear of the living room; this is split level with the concrete floor of the front half being 60cm lower than the rear.
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21 May 2006 |
Plumbing in Half Bathroom
The half bathroom, showing the pipes for the toilet and sink.
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23 May 2006 |
Foundation Wall Overview
A more general view of the foundations.
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23 May 2006 |
Filling Top of Foundation Spaces with Sand
Toward the top, the material in the foundations is mixed with sand and water added so it will compress to give an even and firm surface.
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25 May 2006 |
Compressed Sand in Family Room
The family room with the material completely filled and compressed. This was done mainly using a pneumatic hammer, with a purpose-made tool to do edges.
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25 May 2006 |
Plumbing Service Points in Entrance Hall
Two drainage service points under the entrance hall.
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25 May 2006 |
Refrigerator Alcove Footings
The foundation walls for the refrigerator alcove; there is another drainage service point to the left.
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27 May 2006 |
General View of Filled Foundations
A view from the patio showing covers on the service points, and most of the material in the foundations having been applied.
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27 May 2006 |
Foundation Wall for Living Room Steps
The wall used for the steps in the living room.
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29 May 2006 |
Start of Pouring Floors
The next step is to cover the compressed material with a few centimeters of concrete to form the floor. The photo shows this having been done for the half bathroom and cloakroom. The excavator is there to dig two deep holes; one for the septic tank, and another for the rainwater drainage well.
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30 May 2006 |
Pouring of Floors Partly Done
Here the floors of the entrance hall, half bathroom, cloakroom and family room have been completed (except for about 2cm of firme applied later). The next stage is to raise the walls; the photo shows the start of this in the family room.
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30 May 2006 |
Drainage for Sewage and Rainwater
A view showing the floor of the covered patio and part of the living room, with pipes going to the septic tank and rainwater drainage well.
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30 May 2006 |
Cable Service Points
Two service points for electricity and communications cables.
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