THE UPPER KEYA PAHA TRADING CO.
1310 East Old US 18 - P. O. Box 785
Antelope Community - Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation
Mission, South Dakota, U.S.A.  57555-0785
THE UPPER KEYA PAHA
VIRTUAL TRADING POST

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- Other Stuff -
 

   The major differences between the construction techniques used for the Earth Bermed Soil Cement Modified Saltbox House (saltbox) and traditional stick build technology are many.  Typically with stick build technology a contractor will have access to expensive forming equipment that he owns or would rent.  For a contractor time is money.  Also the homeowner can’t wait to move in because they maybe renting or making payments on another home while assuming another payment for their new home.  For the homeowner time is also money. 
   Using traditional building techniques, the contractor would need additional forming equipment and massive manpower to form an entire floor and to pour it as one structure.  The major difference between this style and that of the saltbox style of construction is the owners has elected to build his saltbox style for several reasons.  As a general rule labor is at least 50% of the cost of a house.  Using sweat equity and only financing the purchase of materials and the first two years interest or payments while the homewner builds his home is a lot less expensive. 
   The construction method of the saltbox design allows the homeowner to truly benefit by his sweat equity.  This method allows the home owner to use the earth for forming the footing.  Corner pillars are constructed one at a time then walls are poured between the pillars until the first level is complete.  Second level floors are constructed semi-southwest style.  The upper level walls are completed similar to the first.  The roof is put on in the same fashion without the need for massive manpower or equipment.  Floors are installed after the structure is erected.  At this point the homeowner should be able to live in his home as he finishes the rest of the house eliminating the need for the other home.

Figure 1.  Cross Section of the Footings

   The footings are constructed using the earth trench as a  form with stake and pipe method to level the top surface.  After the footing has been leveled using the pipes as a guide they are removed and a beveled 2X4 is used to place a foundation wall groove in the footings as displayed in Figure 1.  The stakes are also used to suspend the rebar within the concrete. 
   After the footing are poured and before the footings set up a minimum of 4 L-shaped rebar will be placed at all intersections of the walls.  The vertical ends will facilitate tying the rebar in the inersecting columns (See Figure 2).  Note that the foundation notch in the footings are continued up the columns to lock the wall to the footings and the vertical columns.

Figure 2.  This drawing takes a modified look at the upper left or northwest corner of the earth bermed soil cement modified Saltbox design (Link will take you to a drawing, use back to return).  The corner columns (darker shaded areas) are to scale but it is obvious to show detail the wall sections (lighter shaded areas) are not.

   The distance between columns varies from a minimum of six feet to a maximum of eighteen feet with the majority of them at sixteen and eighteen feet.  By using this column design and pouring the wall between columns only a maximum of eighteen feet of form would be required, but in practical application two sets of eighteen feet would allow for two wall spans ready for a weekend pour or to leap frog the forms as construction progresses.
   There are only 4 shapes will be required for the column forming.  They are the ninety degree corner, a tee for three intersecting walls, a cross where four walls come together, and one straight form where longer wall spans meet.
   Openings will be formed into the walls before pouring of soil cement.  All openings will be formed with 3X12 rough cut lumber.  Galvanized 20d nails will be placed down the center of the sides of the frames that face the soil cement to anchor them in the opening.
   The floors for the second level will all consist of 2X12 joists that are two feet on center.  The decking will be 2X6 or 2X8 tongue and groove lumber.  Once constructed they will be stained and no other work done to the ceiling of the first level which will leave the southwest look in which logs and small straight branches are used.  I have thought of angling the lumber over each four foot span but will probably stay with staggered layout for better strength.  I have constructed a model of this style of floor and it does have a striking appearance that appeals to my eye.  The flooring for the second level will consist of a layer of felt paper, carpet padding (possibly two layers), and a shag carpet.  Since the lower level will be heated and not covered, the effect of warm air rising will be used to heat the floor which should also radiate upwards.         NEXT