Hello All, As mentioned previously I am stick-building (like a giant erector set) a new AN-Wireless HD-80. I will be posting photos at: http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/k0hps/Tower%20Project/ i
JC: It's nearly impossible to undercut safely the full size of the pad for this type of foundation. When I was working in the electric utility industry as an engineer, we used these foundations all t
JC: I put up and HD-70 with a pad and pillar foundation last year. I had the foundation done by the same firm that did the concrete for our new house. They dug the 9x9x5 hole then built the rebar ca
The other consideration about undercutting for the pad is whether the concrete will fully form to the shape of the pad. I certainly wouldn't want to be in the hole forcing concrete into the undercut
Kelly et al: I used a concrete vibrator like this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000224W5/002-7979284-5720834?v=glance&n=228013 to ensure proper concrete flow and filling of the undercut in
Bill, Labor isn't too much of an issue, we are doing it ourselves. I definitely want the 5x5 vs. 9x9 pad in the yard when we are done. I prefer a single pour too, but how did they keep the concrete f
JC: The forms did take some time to build. As you can see from the pictures, the pillar was poured first. I am sure that some of the concrete did squish out the bottom at first (and this is good), b
JC, I guess the item I would look at is the total cost/effort. Yes, the pad-pier uses less concrete and rebar, a cost savings. But is the difference worth the time, and extra effort of 2 pours and re
JC, Jeff et ux: Without stirring up some who don't like math (it has happened to me before on this subject on this reflector), be careful that you don't exceed the vertical bearing pressure of the so
Hi Gene & All, After spending 4 hours trying different techniques this morning I have come to the conclusion that Gene is right. I was planning to cut the undercut for the pad with a trapezoidal top
Unless you have very poor soil, one usually pours "neat'. That is there are no forms below grade. The excavtion is the form below grade. There is only a form for above grade cap on the foundation. Ma
new AN-Wireless HD-80. I will be posting photos at: http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/k0hps/Tower%20Project/ if anyone cares to watch it go up and the antenna stack go on it. We just started dig
Hi Steve, You are sure right about engineers not always thinking about the people who have to actually build what they design. In this case, there IS an engineer in the hole and pushing the wheelbarr
IMHO the tower base designs that utilize some sort of undercutting/belled out at the bottom are stupid and potentially dangerous. In some designs the base is 6-9 feet deep and being that far down to