Breaking into the bank

[scoutcub]

Up to date now on pics. We added an extra course of block to get up to grade. I'll be using attic trusses for some storage space upstairs, and planning a stairway in the back of the building. Planning on filling all the back wall blocks with concrete, and side walls every other one. Also planning backfilling gravel behind the back and side walls 1-2' all the way up to grade, and swaling the ground away from the building. Footer drains are already in, and gutter drains will be tied into same.
Couple of questions for the minds out there;
1. I'm concerned with the back wall and structural integrity, any additional strength features I can add to offset all the ground against the wall? Would it help to build a tight 2X6 wall on the inside back wall?

2. Should I add an outside access to the upstairs storage, at the back of the bank? Advantages/disadvantages?

 

[jimmyj]

I don't know about structural stuff, but I think you should add an entrance up top. Just keep it such that moisture cannot run in there. Great looking work!

 

[dave1949]

You have a great toy - er, I mean tool collection Making me envious.

Pro and con for inside or outside stairs would be inside takes floor space, quite a bit really but you never need to shovel snow off the stairs, or slip on icy treads, or re-seal the wood, etc.
Dave.

 

[radioman]

If you are worried about clay moving to break the wall- you need to think deadmans T. this is for the extreme measures, but the best thing to do is have good drainage behind the wall to releive all water hyrdaulic presssure. this will insure the wall to last a long time.

 

[scoutcub]

Thanks for the comments! I'm really at odds on how to access the loft storage.....I like the fact of being able to access from inside, but it will take up quite a bit of space....the outside access is appealing to walk straight in.....I'm thinking perhaps an outside entrance, with a vertical wall ladder on the back wall, to minimize space lost?

As for the back wall, is it safe to assume as long as I've got gravel backfilled along the wall and drainage, there won't be any damaging pressure from backfilling the clay behind the gravel?

I'm not familiar with deadmans T.....what is it??

Dave - I wish I could keep all the "tools" they sure are fun! But, after the work is done I will be selling the excavator, dozer, & dump truck to help build the home....but that will be a few more years!

 

[jimmyj]

A deadman is a piece that attaches to the wall and then anchors into the bank. Think of the base of the T attached to the wall and the top wide part bured. The top part is like an anchor that pulls back against the force of the wall trying to pull away.

I'm sure someone else will be able to explain it better than I did. Try a google search.

 

[Danno1]

....Planning on filling all the back wall blocks with concrete, and side walls every other one....

1. I'm concerned with the back wall and structural integrity, any additional strength features I can add to offset all the ground against the wall?

Put re-bar in the block cavities bef you fill them.


.

 

[srs]

Put re-bar in the block cavities bef you fill them.


.

I second Danno1 about putting rebar in the block cavities. It will add a lot of strength to the wall.

 

[Dog Lover]

Really nice looking work. :thumbsup:A big job for sure. It is neat to see when people get a backhoe, they seem to find a way to do projects they would never have tackled at all...I know I have done several too. I like your sidewalks for sure! Keep the pics coming....

 

[frwinks]

busy man:thumbsup:
having just dealt with block walls myself, one thing that our PEng. suggested, to add tensile strength to our 50' wall were bond beams (hollowed out course of block with horizontal rebar/concrete) half way up the wall.
A little after the fact for you (as it was in my case as well). His other suggestion was the one I opted for... vertical rebar runs, filled cores and stone backfill to grade.
g/l

ps, ditto on the upstairs entrance