This is a badge bit (
BB) that is part of the
PEM curriculum. Completing this BB is part of getting the
straw badge in
Building.
While building a house may be out of reach at the moment, let's get some practice putting together smaller structures. Using
local construction materials you can harvest yourself is a great idea. Cement doesn't grow on
trees so let's try to make a foundation with gravel. Not that it does grow on trees but it's a bit easier to find...
Here are some pictures of what we're after:
And here's a nice introductory
video:
Minimum requirements:
- At least 16 feet of foundation
- At least 24" wide in the trench
- Drain tile or equivalent
water draining system at the bottom of the trench
- Washed stone/rubble
- Compacted at 8" lifts
- As deep as the frost line for your area
- Insulation and geotextiles are allowed
Provide proof of the following as pictures or video (<2 min):
- Place where the foundation will be built
- Trench dug showing depth and width
- Drainage system
- First lift of rubble compacted
- Finished rubble trench showing dimensions (if not obvious)