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Earth shelter

Background
Living in shelters land has been a big part of human history. The connection to the earth shelter homes began with the use caves, and eventually the evolution of technology led to the construction of houses as land. Today, the refuge is building land an uncommon practice, especially in the U.S. During the energy crisis and oil crisis of 1973, along with back-to-land movement, "there was a surge of interest in housing land / housing below ground in an effort towards self-sufficient life. However, progress has been slow, and construction ground shelter is often by architects, engineers and the general public as an unconventional method of construction. Refuge land techniques still are not common knowledge, and much of society remains unaware of the process or the benefits of this type.
Building Types
Earth berming: Earth accumulates on the exterior walls and packed, bent down the house. The roof may or may not be fully covered land, and windows / openings may occur in one or more sides of the house. Due to the construction above ground, less moisture problems associated with land compared with berming underground and fully fitted construction.
On the hill construction: The house is located on a slope or hillside. The main application practice is to use a hill overlooking the Ecuador (south in the northern hemisphere and north in the southern hemisphere). There is only one side exposed to this type of shelter to the ground, the opposite wall of the hill, all the other walls are embedded in the land / site.
Metro / fully fitted construction: The floor is dug, and the house is at low level. Also be referred to as an atrium, due to the common atrium / courtyard built in the middle of the house to provide light and ventilation appropriate.
Benefits
The benefits of refuge land are numerous. They are: use the land as a thermal mass, which offers additional protection against natural elements, energy savings, providing substantial privacy, efficient use of land in urban settlements, shelters have low maintenance requirements, land and shelter usually takes advantage of passive solar building design.
The mass of the Earth absorbs and retains heat. Over time, this heat is released to surrounding areas as a refuge from the earth. Due to the high density of land, change in soil temperature is slow. This is known as delayed Hermal. Because of this Initially, the land provides a relatively constant temperature underground shelters, even when the outside temperature undergoes large fluctuations. In most United States, the average temperature of the earth once below the frost line is between 55 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 14 degrees Celsius). icy depths line vary from region to region. On the lines of U.S. frozen can vary from about 20 centimeters to more than 40 inches. Therefore, at the base of a berm deep ground, the house is heated against an exterior temperature gradient of about ten to fifteen degrees, rather than against a more pronounced degree of temperature than air is on the outside wall instead of the earth. During the summer, the temperature gradient helps to cool the house.
Reducing air infiltration into a refuge from the ground can be very profitable. Because three walls of the structure are mainly surrounded by land, surface very little contact with the outside air. This alleviates the problem hot air escape the home through gaps around windows and doors. In addition, the earthen walls protect against cold winter winds that would otherwise could penetrate into these spaces. However, this can also become a potential problem of indoor air quality. Healthy air circulation is key.
As a result of increased thermal mass of the structure, thermal lag of land, protection against unwanted air infiltration and the combined use of passive solar techniques, the need for heating and additional cooling is minimal. Therefore, there is a drastic reduction in energy consumption required home compared to homes of typical construction.
Earth shelters also provide privacy from neighbors, as well as soundproofing. Land provides protection against external acoustic noise. This can be an advantage in urban areas or near highways. In urban areas, another benefit of dugout is the efficient use of land. Many of the houses can sit below the level without altering the habitat on earth. Each site can contain both a house and a lawn / garden.
Potential problems
The problems of water leakage, internal condensation, poor acoustics, and poor indoor air quality may occur if a shelter land has not been well designed.
Topics also include the sustainability of building materials. Earth home often requires a more heavier than conventional construction techniques, and many construction companies have little or no experience in construction protected land, which could endanger the physical construction of even the best designs.
The threat of water leakage occurs around the areas where layers of waterproofing have been penetrated. Vents and ducts emerging from the roof can cause particular problems because of the possibility of movement. Precast concrete panels can be deviation of 1 / 2 inches or more, when the earth / ground is layered on top of it. If the air vents or ducts remain rigidly in place for this deviation, the result is the failure of the waterproofing layer. To avoid this difficulty, the vents can be placed elsewhere in the building (in addition to the ceiling), or separate segments of the tubes can be installed. A narrow pipe in the ceiling which is perfectly suited to a larger segment in the building can also be used. The threat of water leaks, condensation and poor indoor air quality can be overcome with proper waterproofing and ventilation.
Construction materials for building protected land tend to be non-biodegradable substances. Because the material must keep water out, are often made of plastic. Concrete is another material used in large quantities. more sustainable products are being tested to replace cement in concrete (eg fly ash) and concrete alternatives (see Materials: Structural). The excavation of the site is also drastically reduce the time and work consuming. In general, the construction is comparable to conventional construction, since the building requires minimal maintenance and finishing less significantly.
Condensation and the problems of poor indoor air quality can be solved using earthtubes, or what is known as geothermal heat pump – a different concept refuge land. With the modification, the idea of earthtubes (see also Sokol Blossor Bodega) can be used for underground construction. Instead of going through the earthtubes, leaves an open ending downhill to draw outdoors, using the chimney effect of air outlet having a priority in underground construction.
Landscape and site planning
The site planning of a listed building land is an integral part of overall design, investigating the landscape potential construction site is crucial. There are many factors to evaluate when surveying a site for underground construction. The topography, climate in the region, vegetation, water table and soil types of different landscapes, dynamic roles played in the design and implementation of land refuges.
Topography
Ground is relatively flat, a house fully fitted with an open courtyard is the most appropriate design. On a slope, the house is right on the hill. The slope will determine the location of the window wall, a wall facing south is the most practical exposure in the northern hemisphere (and guidance north in the southern hemisphere) due to the benefits of solar energy.
Regional climate
Depending on the region and the site selected for construction of protected land, the benefits and objectives of the land shelter vary. Cold and temperate climates, the objectives are to retain heat in winter, avoiding infiltration, to receive the winter sun, with the thermal mass, shading and ventilation during the summer and avoid the cold winter winds and pockets. For water hot, arid climates objectives include maximizing moisture, providing shade in summer, the maximization of summer air and the conservation movement heat in winter. To order hot and humid climates include avoiding the summer humidity, providing ventilation in summer and retain heat in winter.
The regions with extreme daily and seasonal temperatures stress the value of land as a thermal mass. Thus, land is the most efficient haven in regions with high heating and cooling needs, and high temperature differences. In regions like the southeastern United States, home to the land may need additional attention in the maintenance and construction due to condensation problems in regard to high humidity. Soil temperature in the region may be too high to allow earth cooling if temperatures fluctuate slightly from day to night. Preferably, it should be adequate winter sunlight, and sufficient means natural ventilation. The wind is critical for testing during site planning, for reasons relating wind chill and heat loss and ventilation of the house. In the In the northern hemisphere, south facing slopes tend to avoid the cold winter winds usually blow from the north. fully shelters Recessed also provide adequate protection against these strong winds. However, courts within the structure is capable of causing turbulence less depending on size. In the summer, it is useful to take advantage of prevailing winds. Due to the limited window arrangement in the majority of earth shelters, and resistance to infiltration air, the air within a structure may stall if ventilation is not always appropriate. By making use of wind, natural ventilation can occur without the use of fans systems or other assets. Knowing the direction and intensity of seasonal winds is vital in promoting cross-ventilation. The vents are usually placed on the roof of berms or completely built shelters for this effect.
Vegetation
The cover of the landscape is another important factor. Adding plants can be both positive and negative. Nearby trees can be valuable in humid climates because their roots to remove water. However, a prospective builder must know what types of trees are in the area and how large and tend to grow rapidly due to the possible compromise solar with growth potential. The vegetation can provide a windbreak for homes exposed to winter winds. The small vegetation growth, especially those with deep roots also help in preventing erosion at home and around the site.
Soil and drainage
Soil type is one of the factors most essential for site planning. The soil must provide adequate bearing capacity and drainage, and help retain heat. Regarding drainage, the type more appropriate land of refuge land is a mixture of sand and gravel. Well graded gravel have a large bearing capacity (about 8,000 pounds per square foot), an excellent drainage and frost heave potential low. The sand and clay, however, does not compact well and may be susceptible to erosion as a result. Clay soils, so least as susceptible to erosion, often do not allow adequate drainage, and have a greater potential for frost heaves. Clay soils are more susceptible to contraction and thermal expansion. Be aware of soil moisture content and fluctuations in such content throughout the year will help to avoid the potential heat problems. Frost pulls can also be problematic in some soils. fine-grained soils to retain moisture better and are more susceptible to pounding. Some ways to protect against frost capillary action arcades are responsible for putting bases in the area below freezing or insulate the surface of the soil around the footings surface the replacement of frost sensitive soils with granular material, and disrupting capillary moisture to drain, placing a drainage layer of coarse material in the soil existing.
Water can cause potential damage to the shelter of the land if the ponds around the house. Avoid sites with a high water table is crucial. Drainage both surface and groundwater should be properly treated. Waterproofing applied to construction is essential.
Atrium designs have a greater risk of flooding, so that the surrounding land should slope away from the frame on all sides. A drainage tube at the perimeter edge of the roof can help collect and remove the extra water. For households berms, an interceptor drain on the crest of the berm along the edge of the roof is recommended. An interceptor drainage ditch in the center of the berm is also useful or the back of the berm may be attached to walls. The decline in runoff sites can cause problems. A drainage ditch or ravine may be constructed to divert water around the house, or a ditch filled with gravel with a drain pipe can be installed with the bottom of the drains.
soil stability should also be considered, especially when the evaluation of a slope. These tracks can be inherently stable when left alone, but cut that can greatly compromise their stability structural. Retaining walls and fill may have to be built to withstand the slope before the construction of shelters.
Construction methods
Current methods
In the construction protected land there is often large excavations in the construction site. An excavation of several meters higher the perimeter of the walls due to be made to allow access to the outside of the wall for waterproofing and insulation. Once the site is prepared and utility lines installed, a reinforced concrete foundation is poured. The walls are then installed. In general, are either discharged in place or form either inside or outside the site and then moved into place. Reinforced concrete is the most common. The process is repeated for the roof structure. If the walls, floor and roof are all that is poured in place, it is possible to make a single spill. This can reduce the likelihood of cracks or leaks in the joints where the concrete has cured at different times.
Outside the concrete waterproofing system is applied. The waterproofing system used more often includes a layer of liquid asphalt on which a strong grade waterproof membrane is laid, followed by a final water sealant liquid that can be sprayed. It is very important ensure that all seams are carefully sealed. It is very difficult to locate and repair leaks in the waterproofing system after the building is completed.
One or more layers of cardboard or foam insulation is added on the outside of the waterproofing. If the insulation is porous chosen a top layer proofing is added. After everything is complete, the land is filled in the remaining space on the outside of the wall and sometimes more than the ceiling to accommodate a green roof. Any exposed walls and interior are finished according to the preferences of the owners.
Materials
Structural
Enhanced Concrete is the most widely used structural material in the construction of refuge land. Is strong and readily available. Untreated wood rots within five years used in the construction of earth shelter. Steel can be used, but needs to be enclosed by concrete to prevent direct contact with soil that corrodes the metal. Bricks and CMU (concrete masonry units) are also possible options for the land to build shelters, but should be strengthened to prevent movement under pressure vertical unless the building is constructed with arches and vaults.
Unfortunately, the reinforced concrete is the most environmentally sustainable. Industry Concrete is working to develop products that are friendlier to the Earth in response to consumer demands. Products like Grancrete and are increasingly Hycrete readily available. They claim to be environmentally friendly and either reduce or eliminate the need for additional waterproofing. However, it is new products and have not been widely used in earth shelter construction yet.
Some unconventional methods are also proposed. One of these methods is a method proposed by Mike Oehler PSP. The PSP uses the jobs wood, plastic sheets and unconventional ideas that allow for more windows and ventilation. This design also reduces runoff problems associated with conventional designs. The method uses wooden poles, a frame that acts as a rib to distribute the forces of the solution, the construction methods that are based on fewer pieces of heavy equipment, plastic sheeting, and dirt floors with plastic and carpeting.
Waterproofing
Several layers are used for waterproofing in buildings of refuge land. The first layer is to seal cracks or pores of structural materials, in addition to working as an adhesive waterproof membrane. The membrane layer is often a flexible polyethylene sheet thickness called EPDM. EPDM is a material widely used in water garden, pond and pool construction. This material also prevents roots the burrow through the waterproofing. EPDM is very heavy to work, and can be chewed through some common insects like fire ants. Also is made from petrochemicals, so it is less than perfect environment.
There are several layers of cement that can be used as waterproofing. The product sprayed directly onto the surface without protection. It dries and acts like a huge ceramic layer between the wall and ground. The challenge with this method is, if changes wall or foundation in any way, is broken and the water can penetrate easily.
Bituthene (trade name) is very similar to layer three single layers in a single step process. Come and layered paper and has a support sticker. The challenge with this is the same as with the manual method of stratification, as well that is sensitive to sunlight and must be covered very soon after application.
Eco-Flex is a green waterproof membrane that seems to work very well in the foundations, but not much is known about its effectiveness on the ground shelter. It is part of a group of liquid paint on waterproofing products. The main challenges to these must be applied carefully, making sure each area is covered with the appropriate thickness, and every crack or hole is hermetically sealed.
Bentonite clay is the alternative that is closest to the optimal scale of the environment. It is natural and self-healing. The disadvantage of this system is that it is very heavy and difficult for the owner / builder of the facility.
Isolation
Unlike conventional construction, earth shelters require insulation in the exterior of the building rather than inside the wall. One reason for this is that it provides waterproof membrane protection against frost, another is that the land can shelter better maintain your desired temperature. There are two types of insulation used in earth shelter construction. The first is close-celled extruded polystyrene sheets. Two to three inches attached to the outside of the waterproofing is usually sufficient. The second type of insulation is a spray foam. This works were very well the shape of the structure, unconventional, rounded or difficult to access. Foam insulation requires an additional protective layer of foil length to help resist penetration water.
In some shelters, low-budget land, isolation can be applied to the walls. These methods are based on the factor U or heat storage capacity same land below the frost layer. These designs are the exception, however, and frost damage risk pulling in colder climates. The theory behind of any insulation design is based on the use of thermal mass to store heat the earth, rather than relying on a heavy masonry or concrete structures inside that exists in a typical passive solar house. This is the exception to the rule and low temperatures can extend down into the ground above the frost line by isolation need for greater efficiency.
Conventional above ground passive solar house designs often rely on high R factor insulation walls outside with high-mass structures U heat inside the house. Most of the houses this approach also protected land. With conventional designs of passive solar, thermal mass interior can be composed of brick, compressed earth blocks, masonry or heat storage material of others. Even the heavy wooden structures or change gradually sap of nano-particles "in Energie (Trade) of home can be used for thermal storage. In cold weather design, the thermal mass warm low sunlight during the winter months that fall on the thermal mass objects inside the house. At night the heat-emitting thermal mass to add warmth isolated within the larger shell. During the summer months, the thermal mass shadow is not affected by direct sunlight. Making plans for the mass inside the house away from the windows, the summer sunlight will not reach the thermal mass. The thermal mass provide a cooling effect that absorbs heat from the air. The thermal mass provides heating and cooling effects in a properly designed passive solar home. The amount of thermal mass and solar exposure needed to capture designs sunlight depends on the local climate. At times the thermal mass is a responsibility, if a structure is heated only on weekends through air flow or wood stoves, a shell very isolated and less thermal mass can be better for winter climates. This is to avoid the need to heat the cold mass at the beginning of the weekend, leaving only the structure and the cabin is heated at the end of the weekend. Some designs prevent the sea were the effects of temperature variations in temperature huge masses to have thermal mass below the frost of the earth.
Design for energy conservation
Earth sheltered housing is often built energy conservation and savings account. specific designs of shelters land to allow for maximum savings. On the berm or hill construction a common plan is to put all the living spaces on the south side of the house. This provides maximum sunlight to the rooms, living rooms, kitchen and spaces. Rooms that do not require extensive heating and natural light as the bathroom, storeroom and laundry is usually found in the north (or hill) in the dwelling. This type of design also can move to a house double level design with two levels completely underground. This plan offers the most energy efficient earth sheltered homes because the compact configuration and the structure which plunges deeper into the earth. This gives a greater proportion of land cover to the exposed wall one-story dwelling would.
With an atrium earth shelter living spaces are clustered around the atrium. The arrangement of the atrium offers a much less compact plan of one or two floors berms / inhill design, so it is usually less energy efficient in terms of heating needs. This is one of the why classical atrium design applies to warmer climates. However, the court will tend to trap air inside which is then heated by the sun and helps reduce heat loss.
Earth shelter with solar heating
Earth shelter is often combined with solar heating systems. The most common the use of passive solar design techniques used in ground shelters. A structure facing south with the north, east and west ground covered is the application more effective passive solar energy systems. A large window with double glass and triple glass or beadwall Zomeworks (vacuum / blower pump filled the solar panel windows double Styrofoam balls at night for extra insulation and vacuum the grains in the morning, the patent has expired), which covers most of the length the south wall is essential for solar heat gain. It is useful to accompany the insulating window shades to protect against heat loss at night. In addition, during the summer months, providing a projection, or some type of sun protection, it is useful to block solar gain in excess. The power scheme solar earth shelter known as "design annualized geo solar", "passive annual heat storage", or sometimes as a "house Umbrella. "(See Nick Pine and post to Usenet groups alt.homepower alt.solar.thermal this type of house.) umbrella in the house, the polystyrene insulation extends about 23 feet radius of the underground walls. A plastic film covers the insulation (for waterproofing), and the soil is the layer on top. Materials down the slope, like an umbrella. Shed excess water while keeping the temperature warm, dry soil.
Passive cooling pushing the air with a fan or air convection almost constant temperature on earth cooling tubes buried and then in the space of the house of life. This also provides fresh air to the occupants and the exchange of air required by ASHRAE.
Shelter land: history and examples
Berming
Historically, the creation of an earth berm was a common practice for the frame construction combined with heavy timber and rough stone work with stacking thick layers peat or peat against the walls and ceiling. This served as an excellent protection against the elements. In a relatively short period of time the soil layers grow together, leaving the structure with an aspect of a hill with a door.
Earth sheltered rest area along Interstate 77 in Ohio
In these early structures, heavy wood processing acted as a structural support and comfort and warmth inside. rough stone is often stacked along the exterior walls with a simple lime mortar for structural support and often serves as a front exterior wall and base. There is a greater use of stone work in the structures of refuge land in areas where wood is scarce. These are the sustainable development of most shelters land in terms of materials go because they can decompose and return to earth. So there just as an example Hvalsey Church in Greenland, where only the stones remain stacked. One of the earliest examples of berming, dating back 5,000 years can be found at Skara Brae in the Orkney Islands off northern Scotland.
Today berms of earth structures are built very differently from the past. construction Common uses large amounts of steel reinforced concrete structural support and acts as the building envelope. Bobcat excavator or used for ground stacking around the building and the roof instead of piling the soil in place. A community of five mounds of earth berms can be found in Hockerton in Nottinghamshire, UK.
On the hill
A historical example of the mountain huts on the land would be of Mesa Verde in the southwestern United States. These buildings are built directly on the ledges and caves in the face of the cliffs. The front wall is built with local stone and earth to enclose the structure. Similarly today, the land on the hill The shelter uses the natural formation of a hill between two and three exterior walls and sometimes the roof of a structure. alternative boatbuilders a type of structure in the hill known as Earthship. In Earthship construction, rammed earth tires are used as structural materials for three of the walls and generally have a front facing windows for passive solar energy capture.
The most famous and probably the largest protected land house the residence of Bill Gates, he had built over a period of several years in a heavily wooded site on the shore of Lake Washington. It is an excellent example of the lack of such impertinence house, since it seems much smaller than it really is, seen from the lake.
Metro
Although construction is relatively uncommon ground in the U.S., successful examples can be found in Australia, where the soil is so difficult that there is little or no need for structural support and a pick ax and shovel are the tools Builder / remodeler. View Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge.
In early 1970, China carried out the construction of Dixie Cheng, a Beijing city below. Was a complex of shelters that could accommodate 40% of the population at that time. It was a response to fears of a Soviet attack. Parts of it are now used more commercial enterprises.
Gallery
Loir-et-Cher, France
Iran Kandovan
Hôtel Sididriss in Matmata in Tunisia
Interior of a cave in Matmata (Tunisia)
Cave House Rochemnier (France)
Granada, Spain
See also
Sustainable development portal
Bill Gates's house, a house down largest protected land
Burdei
Coober Pedy, an opal mining town famous for its meter Australian buildings
Hours basement
Dugout (shelter)
Earth cooling tubes
Earth home
Earthship
Energy Conservation
Green roof
Hvalsey Church
Malcolm Wells, author of the proposed construction of protected land
Passive house
Passive solar energy
Sod house
Metro living
Pit-house
Grubenhaus
Dugout (shelter)
Earth Lodge
Applications:
gardening low
Hurricane proof building
Radiation Protection
References
^ Earth sheltered houses (www.motherearthnews.com)
Baggs, A. Sydney, Baggs, Joan C. & Baggs, W. David, Building covered the Earth Australia Southern New Media at the University of Wales, NSW Australia, 1991 ISBN 0868400602
Berge, Bjorn. The Ecology of building materials. Architectural Press, 2000. This book includes detailed information on building materials.
Campbell, Stu. The Underground House Book. Vermont: Garden Way, Inc., 1980.
Mars Juan. Hydrophobic concrete waterproofing membrane Sheds. Concrete Products, January 2006. concrete magazine industry can be found at line.
Debord, David Douglas, and Thomas R. Dunbar. Land Protected Landscapes. New York: Wan Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1985.
Edelhart, Mike. Manual Earth Design Housing. Dolphin Books, 1982. This has in-depth information on earth construction shelter with many illustrations.
Miller, David E. Toward a New Regionalism. University of Washington Press, 2005. Includes examples and information on sustainable construction, including earth shelters.
Reid, Esmond. Understanding the buildings. The MIT Press, 1984. This book includes the detailed construction and building information.
Roy, Robert. Earth sheltered houses. New Society Publishers, 2006. This book is an updated guide to time owner builder. It has much of the information that is in his earlier book.
Roy, Robert. Metro Homes: How to build a low cost house. New York: Law Publishing Co. Inc., 1979.
Terman, Max R. Land Protected Housing: Principles in practice. New York: Van Norstrand Reinhold, 1985.
The underground area of the University Center of Minnesota. Earth Design of subsidized housing. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, ed. 1978, ed. 1979. This is a scholarly look at how to build an earth shelter building.
Wade, Herb, Jeffrey Cook Laboratories, Ken, and Steve Selkowitz. Passive Solar: Subdivisions, windows, underground. Kansas City: American Solar Energy Society, 1983.
Oehler, Mike. The book of $ 50 and up underground house. Mole Publishing Co, 1978.
External Links
The free encyclopedia Wikipedia, has media related to: Earth shelter
British Land Association protector
Earth Protected Structure: A Pathfinder and Annotated Bibliography
Eco-Flex Rubber – Eco-Flex is water based, solvent free, non-membrane flammable liquid waterproofing.
Formwork Construction Inc. – Designer of contemporary homes protected land.
Grancrete – Grancrete intended to be a green product that is stronger than Specifically, it is water and fire resistant and sets up quickly.
Hockerton Housing Project – Community 5-protected earthen houses near Nottingham, United Kingdom
Hycrete Technologies – Hycrete mixture has the highest number of Radle a sustainable basis.
StocktonUnderground: An Owner-Builder Focus
Home, sweet home the Earth – Designers and builders of protected land
Metro Housing – Low cost web site creation.
Categories: Construction Engineering | Energy Conservation | House types | sustainable construction | Shelters About the Author

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