I am doing research into the feasibility/cost of building a subterranean chamber. You can call it a cave if you like, but it will not be in a mountain and my experience with using the word "cave" confuses people. Also, please do not tell me to buy shipping containers and bury them!!!
I want to build this chamber for two reasons - one as a climate controlled dwelling and the other to house a data storage business that I want to open.
My idea: dig a rectangular hole in the ground and erect a scaffolding to support a curved roof structure (the roof of the cave will be about 10' underground - also curved may not be essential). The first layer of the roof will be rebar/mesh reinforced reactive powder concrete; the second a thicker layer of common portland concrete; the third, a layer of soil cement - perhaps 2' thick, the next layer another layer of some kind of soil substance that does not shift as easily as soil and finally 3-4' of soil.
The numbers and substances used here are somewhat arbitrary but are used to communicate the main idea of what I want to do. The idea is to use a combination of materials to make a strong structure but reduce the cost. I am hoping for at least a 50 year life of this structure but 100 years would make it more marketable when it came time to sell.
I am looking for ideas about construction, materials, design and anything related. URL's are always welcome, as well as recommendations for good books, videos, etc.
I know that moisture and water are a major issue for anything underground. I will look at that in phase two. Right now I want to learn about building underground chambers.
I want to build this chamber for two reasons - one as a climate controlled dwelling and the other to house a data storage business that I want to open.
My idea: dig a rectangular hole in the ground and erect a scaffolding to support a curved roof structure (the roof of the cave will be about 10' underground - also curved may not be essential). The first layer of the roof will be rebar/mesh reinforced reactive powder concrete; the second a thicker layer of common portland concrete; the third, a layer of soil cement - perhaps 2' thick, the next layer another layer of some kind of soil substance that does not shift as easily as soil and finally 3-4' of soil.
The numbers and substances used here are somewhat arbitrary but are used to communicate the main idea of what I want to do. The idea is to use a combination of materials to make a strong structure but reduce the cost. I am hoping for at least a 50 year life of this structure but 100 years would make it more marketable when it came time to sell.
I am looking for ideas about construction, materials, design and anything related. URL's are always welcome, as well as recommendations for good books, videos, etc.
I know that moisture and water are a major issue for anything underground. I will look at that in phase two. Right now I want to learn about building underground chambers.