English translation of the original Swedish diary entry. Swedish original below. Plans and observations belong to the time of writing.
They say the budget becomes easier to control once you are out of the ground. We are nearly there! For now, it has gone completely off the rails: the groundworks and all the concrete have cost far more than expected.
At least the build has moved quickly this past week. Thor-Björn found two “proper” builders, Patrik and Björn from Gävle, who have been busy with formwork and reinforcement. We have poured ten cubic metres of concrete, too. We are now ready to begin the slab next week. Before then, I need to sort out the wastewater pipes and plenty of setting out so we can position the edge elements.
Our electrician Urban at Norr-el has installed a temporary distribution board. The electricity company has exposed the ducts and pulled in a cable, so we nearly have our own power. It will be good to stop relying on the petrol generator.
Drivadan continues to tolerate our postponed delivery dates. We should make week 22. In the remaining two weeks, we need to pour the slab and then form and pour the last greenhouse foundations.
Palmatin is preparing production drawings for the timber house, aiming for delivery in June. We will have to see how that fits with the greenhouse delay.
Niklas visited to inspect the work this week. It was largely fine; a few places needed more reinforcement, which we added before pouring.
I have added a PayPal link on the right for anyone who wants to help fund our adventures—hopefully it works. There are plenty of experiments and techniques we would like to develop. The other day, I wondered whether we could make use of the cool exhaust air from the heat pump: perhaps to cool the upstairs rooms when they get too warm, or a pantry. These are ideas to explore.
Photographs from the week:
The block wall, ground-air pipes and the beginnings of the formwork.
The formwork from the other direction. Such a tall form is difficult to hold together, and the bottom did indeed split. We still managed to fill what was needed and continue building the form above.
More formwork and a buttress—a column attached to the block wall, supporting it without requiring backfill.
Thor-Björn prepares the gravel so Patrik and Björn can continue the forms. Backfilling against the wall is important because soil and gravel on the other side press outwards.
The first piers on the north side are finished. It is beginning to look like a castle.
The southern formwork is ready, apart from the pier reinforcement.
Formwork for a pier, with 16 mm reinforcement to withstand the greenhouse loads and shear forces.
A slow worm had come out into the sunshine—the largest I have seen.
We realised we needed a lot of gravel to reach slab level. Thor-Björn called on his contacts and found many tonnes.
Almost at the right height. We only need another 10 cm of finer gravel, which is easier to level precisely.
Ready to pour!
The week's second concrete truck pours the piers.
One section finished. The concrete vibrator removes trapped air.
Truck number three pours the western side. It is good to have experienced builders who know what to do when the formwork gives way.
We took a chance and placed the pier form in the middle of the picture immediately after pouring beneath it. Of course, it leaked, but a few quickly added pieces of timber saved the situation.
Read the Swedish original — Snart uppe ur marken!
Lecamur, markrör för ventilation och påbörjad gjutform.
Gjutformen från andra hållet. Svårt att få en så hög form att hålla ihop och mycket riktigt så delade den på sig längst ner. Det gick bra i alla fall och vi kunde fylla igen det som behövdes för att bygga vidare på formen ovanpå.
Mer form och en kontrefor, en pelare som sitter fast i lecaväggen. Den stödjer upp väggen utan att man behöver motfylla den.
Thor-björn ordnar gruset så Patrik och Björn kan bygga vidare på formen.
Motfyllnad mot lecaväggen är viktig, mycket jord och grus på andra sidan som trycker utåt.
Första plintarna på norrsidan klara! Det börjar likna en borg…
Formen klar åt söder. Saknas armering för plintar.
Form för en av plintarna. 16 mm armering för att klara diverse laster och skjuvkrafter från växthuset.
En kopparorm hade orkat ut i solen, största jag sett.
Vi kom på att det behövdes mycket grus för att komma upp i rätt höjd inför plattbygget. Thor-björn använde sina kontakter och fick fram många ton grus.
Nästan uppe i rätt höjd för att bygga platta. Det ska bara på 10 cm finare grus som är lättare att finjustera.
Klart för gjutning!
Veckans andra betongbil gjuter plintar.
En del färdig. Betongvibrator för att vibrera ut luftbubblor.
Gjutning av västsidan av bil nr 3. Skönt att ha erfarna byggare som vet hur man fixar när formen ger vika. Vi chansade lite och ställde på formen för plinten mitt i bilden direkt efter betongen lagts på under. Självklart läckte den men med lite hastigt ditlagda brädbitar löstes situationen.