Posted: 11/23/2008 1:47:04 PM EDT
So I was thinking about the underground storage unit that Brad Pitt has in Mr and Mrs Smith, and was wondering what it would take to build a small version of that. I would want to make it more for a hobby as something fun to do but at the same time if I get something good enough and stable enough I could put some ammunition/weapons down there in case of a situation where someone comes knocking on the door to take them. (I would keep plenty of reynolds wrap down there as well so I can make hats for the neighbors  )
I was trying to figure out how it could be done structurally with the supports to hold up the sides and the roof. My initial thought to begin the process would be to dig a hole about 3x3ft or maybe a little larger, and dig it down about 10 feet. Once I get the initial hole dug I could take the 2 sides that would be the permanent corners and put some type of sheet metal or something else to hold up the side and then put some type of temporary floor on there. I thought that I could then put up a temporary wall on a 3rd side, keeping some type of support beam maybe in a z shape with one straight across the top, bottom, and one diagonally from top to bottom. I would then have the 4th side open to continue expanding. To start digging in though, I need to figure out how to support it though. For the walls I thought maybe I could drop some short of sheet metal or something to for part of the wall, and then drop another a few inches away and pour cement or something else in there to solidify the wall. What would be good to use for that? And how could I support the ceiling as well? I have no idea what it would take structurally to keep the roof up and I don't know what it would take to keep the wall solid as well. I feel like the idea for getting the initial hole dug and put the walls in place would be alright but as far as continuing to expand support it, that's where I'd need some help. At the place I'm doing it I'd like to keep it quiet, the initial place I'd start digging would be in a tin shed that isn't too large. So I was thinking for mixing any cement and getting out the dirt I could just use 5 gallon buckets but I need the supplies to be in decently small sizes. I know it's kind of a strange idea but if there's anyone that knows anything about this I'd be interested to see how this could work. Thanks guys |
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In my younger years, I helped build man holes for the telephone co. These were usually in the middle of the street, so they had to be able to hold up whatever traffic went over it. We dug the hole, roughly 12w 14L and usually about 12d. The digging was as precise as possible, because the earth walls were the outside part of the concrete form. Any extra that was dug out, caused a waste in concrete, because of walls thicker than necessary.
The floor was poured first. The next day, we put up the wall forms and ceiling forms. These were various sized angle iron edged covered with plywood. These were made in many small pieces locked together by fittings. Next, the re bar was put in and wired together. Lots and lots of re bar. The roof re bar was extra heavy around the top entrance hole. The next day, the concrete was poured. The walls and ceiling all in one pour. The next day, we went back in and removed the forms. Setting concrete gets hot! It was a miserable tricky job removing forms. The results were a very strong concrete box. The walls and floor were about 1 foot thick and the ceiling was between 18" and 24". Even back then, I dreamed of making one for myself. |
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As far as making the forms and supporting the soil, talking to a concrete contractor would be a good idea. Why would you only make it 3'x3' and 10' deep? I think I'd make it at least 4'x8' and more than likely longer and wider than that.
If you have a hole that is only 3'x3' and 10 feet deep there will be a better than average chance that the soil will fail due to the depth being much greater than the width/length. I'm not an expert in the concrete forms or whatever but, I think sheet piles would be a pretty good way to keep the soil from caving in, along with 4x4 or 6x6 posts to hold them in place. Once the concrete gets poured, it wouldn't really be all that difficult to support the roof. It would ultimately depend on the size of your hole on how you could do it. Laying steel beams across the tops of the concrete walls and then putting steel sheeting over the top would be a relatively easy way to make the roof. You'd have to be sure to take precautions to keep all water out, otherwise you'd be screwed. There are also more simpler means, like dropping a concrete septic tank, etc. etc. |
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Quoted:
In my younger years, I helped build man holes for the telephone co. <snip> Even back then, I dreamed of making one for myself. these days they are pre-made and dropped into place. google "Controlled Environment Vault". http://www.google.com/search?q=Controlled+Environment+Vault the std size is 6ft x 16ft. http://www.emersonnetworkpower.com/energysystems/osp-rt-cev.asp etc ar-jedi |