Bond Beam
The idea behind the bond beam is to give the roof
trusses a way to attach to the tires.
Our bond beam is two layers of pressure treated
2X12's stacked all the way around the building,
bolted to the tires with 1/2" X 10" anchor bolts.
I did a little research and learned that regular
pressure treated (CCQ) lumber is treated with
arsnic and chromium. Apparently there is enough
arsnic in a 12' 2X6 to kill 250 adults if they were
to consume it. Given the choice, I'd rather avoid
those kinds of poisons into my home. It's
probably safe enough to use...decks everywhere
are made out of the stuff...but I imagine these
huge pools of arsnic wherever the lumber is
pressure treated. I searched around and found a
place in Boulder Colorado, called Eco-Products
(www.ecoproducts.com) that sells ACQ. It's
treated with a copper based treatment and is
supposed to be much less toxic. The lumber cost a
little bit more, but I think it was worth it.
trusses a way to attach to the tires.
Our bond beam is two layers of pressure treated
2X12's stacked all the way around the building,
bolted to the tires with 1/2" X 10" anchor bolts.
I did a little research and learned that regular
pressure treated (CCQ) lumber is treated with
arsnic and chromium. Apparently there is enough
arsnic in a 12' 2X6 to kill 250 adults if they were
to consume it. Given the choice, I'd rather avoid
those kinds of poisons into my home. It's
probably safe enough to use...decks everywhere
are made out of the stuff...but I imagine these
huge pools of arsnic wherever the lumber is
pressure treated. I searched around and found a
place in Boulder Colorado, called Eco-Products
(www.ecoproducts.com) that sells ACQ. It's
treated with a copper based treatment and is
supposed to be much less toxic. The lumber cost a
little bit more, but I think it was worth it.
The first step for the bond beam is to
make sure everything is level. We added
a little dirt and tamped it well.
make sure everything is level. We added
a little dirt and tamped it well.
Then we placed the boards for the
first layer where we wanted them and
drilled a hole to accept the bolt.
first layer where we wanted them and
drilled a hole to accept the bolt.
We then pulled the first layer and laid two
layers of six mil plastic under the boards to
protect them from the dirt and cement.
layers of six mil plastic under the boards to
protect them from the dirt and cement.
We bolted the first layer down and
started the second.
Anywhere that there was a break in
the first layer, we made the second
layer overlap each board by about 14"
to make the two layers into one
continuous beam.
Using 16 penny nails, we attached the
second layer.
started the second.
Anywhere that there was a break in
the first layer, we made the second
layer overlap each board by about 14"
to make the two layers into one
continuous beam.
Using 16 penny nails, we attached the
second layer.
For the header over the window in the
middle U, I glued and nailed seven
2X8's together to make one solid
beam. We set it in place, then drilled
three holes all the way through the
beam and pounded a three foot piece
of 1/2" rebar into each hole. I bent
the top of the rebar over, then cut a
piece of 2X12 to fit over the header.
On top of that, we continued the two
layers of the bond beam
middle U, I glued and nailed seven
2X8's together to make one solid
beam. We set it in place, then drilled
three holes all the way through the
beam and pounded a three foot piece
of 1/2" rebar into each hole. I bent
the top of the rebar over, then cut a
piece of 2X12 to fit over the header.
On top of that, we continued the two
layers of the bond beam
We finished nailing everything down
and made arrangements to have the
rooms "dug out." They had collected
A LOT of dirt from the tire pounding.
We scraped out the loose dirt in the
voids between to finished tires so that
it could be taken out with a bobcat
with the rest of the dirt. We were
amazed at how much dirt came out of
the rooms, and how much larger
everything looks now.
and made arrangements to have the
rooms "dug out." They had collected
A LOT of dirt from the tire pounding.
We scraped out the loose dirt in the
voids between to finished tires so that
it could be taken out with a bobcat
with the rest of the dirt. We were
amazed at how much dirt came out of
the rooms, and how much larger
everything looks now.
With the bond beam finished and the
first course of tires visible again, it
was time to call for another inspection.
A different inspector is in charge of
this portion, but the plumbing
inspector, oddly, came with him.
first course of tires visible again, it
was time to call for another inspection.
A different inspector is in charge of
this portion, but the plumbing
inspector, oddly, came with him.
This inspection went very
smoothly. I laid out the plans,
the Earthship book and the
foundation letter from the
engineer. The inspector was
amazed. All he could say was
"Wow."
He even asked if he could bring
his wife back to show her. It was
fantastic.
Concrete is next, then the roof!!
smoothly. I laid out the plans,
the Earthship book and the
foundation letter from the
engineer. The inspector was
amazed. All he could say was
"Wow."
He even asked if he could bring
his wife back to show her. It was
fantastic.
Concrete is next, then the roof!!
Earthship Index
