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Does anyone have any thoughts or experience on an above ground, double walled shelter? The type with the cavity between the walls filled with earth and an earth covered concrete roof. I need something above ground, because a large hole in the ground on my " rock ranch " just ain't gonna happen :)
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I bought the combo set of books from about 10 years ago and still go through them occasionally. Was going through this one, he has a shelter that goes behind your garage in it. I think it is what you are looking for.
There is stuff on the web and utube that could help you on that with a search or too.
Let us know how the project comes out. -
Have you looked into earth homes? They also have out buildings as well. Build above ground and covered in earth.Comment
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I'm a firm believer in the double wall above ground shelter, in two different forms.
One is the Skousen wall where a steel framed out wall is constructed next to the standard house wall and filled with gravel. It is good for projectile resistance and some radiation resistance if the doors and windows have shielding.
As a dual purpose building for blast and radiation resistance and as an extra room, the Double wall shelter design in MP-15 is the one I would want. My future plans include an expanded one, using columns to provide enough support for the much larger roof area. http://standeyo.com/News_Files/NBC/n...5.fam.1959.pdfJerry D Young
http://www.jerrydyoung.com/news.php
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and always remember TANSTAAFL
(There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch) Robert A HeinleinComment
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Thanks for the info. This type of shelter would solve a lot of problems for me. My property is not a retreat, I live here full time. Other than the rocks, it's a great location......good water, and I'm on the ene of the only road in. :) The above ground would let me include the double wall into a new shop building. Jerry, i really enjoy your stories too.Comment
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Hi all. We live in Fl. and as such was thinking of building an above ground shelter to. Still haven't figured out the best way yet but we are leaning towards a earth burm shelter/house.Comment
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I really like the double wall shelter. I have a high water table in the spring, so building underground would be difficult. I have a sump pump that is running in my basement as I'm typing this. However, I need to figure out a way to mask it so either blends into the background or hides in plain site. I've have been thinking that I could try to make it into a small barn or shed, but that would severely limit the interior size.
JackComment
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A lot of hog producers in N Texas are mounding earth over old shipping containers and sand bag walling the entrances as tornado shelters.Comment
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I would think 8 foot tall Bicons or maybe even Tricons would be easier in this situation. You really don't need a full 20 or 40 foot container for a storm shelter in my opinion. Cheaper too.Originally posted by tabwyo View Post
But it's a good idea worth exploring nonetheless.Experience is a cruel teacher, gives the exam first and then the lesson.Comment
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It is my understanding that shipping containers are built to have a load on their frames, and were not designed to have a load on the side or roof panels. If you bury one it might work for a while, but the pressure of the dirt on the sides and top could eventually crush the container.Originally posted by tabwyo View Post
JackComment
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Do a search on the forum and you can see pics that I took of a shipping container that is covered on all sides, except front doors, with dirt. The person even has vent or skylight on top that can be seen from the pics I took. It isn't just an inch or 2 of dirt either there are several inches if not a couple of feet of dirt on top of it.Originally posted by jbman View Post
I'll try to find the pics.
scroll way down to my post with 4 pics of 2 shipping containers side by side.Last edited by 610Alpha; 10-11-2011, 01:31 PM."It's a trap!!!!" -- Admiral AckbarComment
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Maybe its just me, but when the manufacturer specifically states not designed for roof load or wall load, I kinda put my family above the I'm trying to save a buck. If I were to use a container I probably would dig it in, lay it on level ground and then "MAKE" a structurally sound joist system that spreads from top hole dirt wall across and never have weight directly on the container. Once you provide a safe and sound joist structure and cover it with 8" of dirt, I am guessing the tornado will pass over with no effect to the new "covered" but not burdened container hide-out...
I am no engineer, I just like to think outside the box and think of ways around any deficiencies. :)Comment
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I'm not sure what a "Bicon" or "Tricon" is, but would be interested. I did a few searches and couldn't find any reference information. I do already have a nice container, but have already learned that any pressure on the sides could render the doors unopperable. I know several people that are in the "dirt bidness" that talk a lot about burying a container, but they haven't come through yet.Originally posted by Grand58742 View PostComment
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Just some examples. Smaller versions of cargo boxes.Experience is a cruel teacher, gives the exam first and then the lesson.Comment
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We have looked at this and have come up with an idea if we try it. Yes the containers are weak from the sides and top but the outside frame is designed to hold tons of wieght on them from being stacked. We are going to cover it with old billbord covers (we have a friend that gets them)as a moistour barrier, then use old telephone poles and marine pilons to run from top to bottom and push dirt up on the sides and do the same on top. Everyhing is pressure treated. The phone company is always changing out wood poles for new metal and cement ones not to mention in Fl. they build lots of docks and sea walls. Yes I know we are crazy but sometimes you have to think outside the box. If any body has a different idea that would work please let us know. ThanksComment
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