On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 6:13 PM, Brian Chabot <[email protected]> wrote:

> (Comments interspersed below...)
>
> On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 6:17 PM, Vinay Gupta (Hexayurt Shelter
> Project) <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >> 1. Is there an "ideal" thickness of Thermax HD to use?  I will have
> >> significant snow loads to deal with in the winter and the more
> >> insulation I can get, the better.  But the 2" boards are already $53
> >> each and sound like they will be more than a handful to manipulate on
> >> site.
> >
> > 2" sounds pretty reasonable. 1" is warm, 2" will be warmer, and stronger.
>
> At $53 a board... OUCH!
>
> > Remember these are foam panels. I'm not *at all* sure that even a
> Pentayurt
> > in 2" thermax will survive three feet of snow - you're talking about a
> ton
> > or more of snow over that roof area...
>
> I still want to see this tested.  The even distribution of snow vs. a
> weight in any one point is the key.  In icy or "falling snow"
> conditions (such as under eaves or trees), no I don't think it would
> hold up, but natural snowfall?  More likely.
>

*Check out the manufacturer website / specs.  Perhaps even ASK for the
engineers datum.  It will show  the PSF for different situations.*
*I can help with my timber framing knowledge, but not a "licensed"
engineer... but our two towers stood 60 mph wind storms last year and didnt
wiggle!*
*
*

>
> >> 4. I happen to have a concrete slab already in place where I plan to
> >> build this... Any suggestions on anchoring?  I have a friend who is
> >> well-versed in conventional building techniques, so I know that he can
> >> help me drill the slab and put in anchors - just tie to these instead
> >> of using stakes, etc.?
> >
> > Yep, that's how I'd approach it.
>
> Also keep in mind the cold will get inside through the concrete floor
> unless you insulate the inside.
>
> With showload, the hexayurt design is likely to stress most along the
> seam between the alls and roof panels.  I'd run a couple layers of
> tape along this area plus an overlap above and below, just to make
> sure.
>

*Since you have this concrete footing, I'd Suggest "sill plates"*
*basiclly you go a rent a "HILTI" gun which shoots very strong nails into
concrete with a cartritdge like a gun.  Yeah....*
*
*
*So you outline the footprint of the hexayurt in Pressure treated 2x4's
HILTI nailed to the conctere.  You can then place anchor points where ever
you like.*
*
*
*The other main improvement is increased rigidity.  The snow on the roof of
the dome will cause outward pressure at the base.*
*the weight will be transmitted from the angled rook, into the upright
boards, and it will want to "Splay" and deform , eventually the footing
slips and you have a collapse.*
*
*
*If you put in sill plates, and build the foam panels inside this footprint,
it is like having foundation .*
*
*
*PS concerete is notoriously wet and slippery in winter, so the sills arouns
you hut will also prevent it some moving around in the wind, etc.*

>
> > Not trivial *at all* Robert. I'm only sorry we don't know the answers!
> >
> > But please write up what you do and what you learn, and we'll get the
> whole
> > thing figured out over time, a building at a time.
>
> As those on this list can attest, I've been trying to get a hexayurt
> (or pentayurt) set up in New England for destructive testing under
> snow load to see the limits.  So far, we simply have not been able to
> afford to buy panels we are reasonably certain won't last.  Even the
> 1" is un-affordable in the current economic condition of those I've
> been able to get in on it.  I have had an offer for tape and I found
> three locations, from central MA to northern VT, but no panels...
>

*I suggest: 1. develop a cost analysis.  for example how many panels, how
much donations, etc.*
*
*
*2. Start a project on http://www.kickstarter.com/   Most Burning Man art
projects get their funding this way.  you could raise a few hundred dollars.
 Say "this is infrastructural testing for future Playa built  insulated
dwellings."  some corporate sounding language like that, and i bet you have
a few people sign up.*
*
*
*3. Talk to the MANUFACTUIRER....  they may support a "trial of their
product in a new use, and to develop more enviromental uses and  BLAH BLAH
BLAH"  Vinay could probably help with this language.*
*
*
*To the company that makes this stuff, we are talking a pallet of product,
20 sheets lets say?*
*so to PROVE their product would work, etc gives them a couple things, a.
braggin rights that they are doing something "good" b. a new market to
market to (especially for small sheds, outbuildingd, etc) 3. build a new
customer base by demonstrating effeacy, and thus having more people pay
"full price" for the material.*
*
*
*Aluminet, which is now a staple for many playa camps,l was not much of a
consumer product. it was for specific insulating issues in industry.  Now,
highly sought after , at least in the burner community.*
*
*
*Take a lot of pictures, be effusive in your praise, or honest "it didnt
work" and then provide press releases to anyone you can think of.*

>
>
> Brian
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "hexayurt" group.
> To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> [email protected].
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/hexayurt?hl=en.
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
"hexayurt" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to 
[email protected].
For more options, visit this group at 
http://groups.google.com/group/hexayurt?hl=en.

Reply via email to