5North side of the foundation with four 8' buttresses and the lower stage of falsework. Interior "ribs" of #3 rebar exoskeleton have been welded to the anchors and are draped over the falsework. Once the bales were up, exterior ribs were welded to exterior side of the "U"s. 6Gabion detail from one of the buttresses. Extra space in the trench outside of the gabions was filled with leftover rock. 7First bales being placed on the SE corner. Lower falsework, gabion foundation, and the interior rebar are visible. Bales were placed flush to interior walls, leaving the outer 1' of the gabions exposed. The coarseness of the stone prevents moisture from being wicked from the soil into the bales, so no other moisture barrier was necessary. However, a layer of ¼" hardware cloth topped with a layer of steel window screen should be placed beneath the first course of bales to prevent access by termites or mice. When the structure is completed, the gabions will be covered with plaster to ground level. |