February 2002Consultations with an engineer and a building contractor focused on the main house roof. At elevation of 6500 feet up to 60 inches of snow is expected, and in the trough, created by crisscrossing cables, snow is apt to accumulate. Lifting that particular roof area would solve the problem.
MODEL REVISED / roof in center lifted
| View Model for Comparison |
BUILDING PERMIT
The New Mexico State Building Department was approached to learn what we need to show in order to obtain a building permit. As expected, unconventional building methods call for special attention, thus suggestions will be given only after detailed structural drawings are submitted for inspection. But once the main residence is completed, the two smaller buildings should present no problems.
BASIC UTILITIES
This summer a road was extended to the building site, and a well was drilled. By now running water and power are also in place, the water pipe, electric cable, and telephone line laid underground. Weather permitting the septic system will be completed before winter sets in.
HONEYCOMBS
Several honeycomb material specifications and prices were obtained:
Hexel Corporation (www.hexcel.com) manufactures honeycombs for the airplane & airspace industries. They are made of aluminum, nomex/phenolic, and fiberglass/ phenolic in 0.34" and 0.24" cell sizes, all designed to deliver superior material performance and heat resistance requirements. Lamination on site is not recommended because epoxy film adhesives require heat & pressure. The cost of an 8" thick Flex Core honeycomb would cost $80 per square foot.
Tricel Honeycomb Corporation (www.tricelcorp.com) manufactures phenolic impregnated paper honeycomb with cell sizes up to 0.5". Panels 1.25" thick purchased in quantity and laminated on site to form a shell 7.5" thick, would cost $3.20 per square foot. An order was placed, and when the shipment of honeycombs intended for experimentation arrives, we will test adhesives and build full scale shell mock-ups to establish the thickness at which the laminate becomes load-bearing. The findings will be posted on the website.
| February 2002 |