[TowerTalk] Digging a 5'x5'x7' hole in sandy soil

[Roger (K8RI)]

On 8/13/2013 6:57 PM, jeffhook at comcast.net wrote:
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> To all:
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> I have a used US towers HDX 555 I'm installing .
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> US tower sent me new anchor bolts and a print of foundation and it

> says undisturbed soil and forms can't be left in hole.
There are times when it is not possible to pour into undisturbed soil. I 
would ask them(US Towers)  specifically what they recommend to use in 
sand.  They may recommend a larger base. but you might have to resort to 
commercial, metal forms.  After the pour cures "enough" the forms are 
"pulled" which of course takes some power and maybe the services of a 
contractor.

Because of the unstable soil, I'd want a larger base and would resort to 
the metal forms even if I had to hire a contractor.

Where I'm putting up the LM470, the soil should be firm enough to pour 
against the side of the hole (undisturbed soil) but the concrete will 
need to be poured right away.  Even a light rain could cause it to 
colapse. I only have to go 15 to 20 feet West or north and it becomes 
more of a peat.  When I dug the holes for the 45G guy anchors, I went 
back the next morning and the NW hole had become about 12 feet across 
and 1 foot deep.

I'm welding and tying/wiring up the rebar cage, but getting a contractor 
to dig the hole, set and level the cage, coordinate the pour, haul away 
the dirt and fix the damage to the yard. I also have a large 
dirt/compost pile that needs to have the top foot removed. IOW I'm 
taking care of the work
I can still do, but hiring the rest.

I had a volunteer for digging the hole, but then I still would have to 
set the cage, get the concrete, and then hire the contractor to haul 
away the dirt, compost pile, and fix the yard.

Were I 20 years younger, I'd be looking for 5 or 6 acres to build a new, 
larger home on and develop an antenna farm and maybe get myself some 
toys to dig the holes...and other stuff.
Back then was before retirement and I had a good Job that paid very well.

73

Roger (K8RI)

>
> I live in a sandy area and wonder how others have dug a 5x5x7 hole, installed reb ar cage, and filled with concrete, without it caving in?
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>    
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> Thanks - Jeff
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