Structure

Reinforced Concrete Structure Finished! The Heavy-Duty Concrete Work is Done

Ed Building a House , ,

After pouring the concrete for the roof beams and the roof on top of the Poroton and steel rebar, the core structure is now complete.

Our Reinforced Concrete Structure is Complete
Our Reinforced Concrete Structure is Complete
 Click image to enlarge

Now work will focus on the exterior stone walls.

Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure

We Go Solo Visiting Our House to Explore and Take Pictures

Ed Building a House, Living in Italy , ,

After I had finished my little banking chore, we went to have a coffee, just like any good Italian would. It was about 11am and Anne wanted cappuccino but wondered if it was already too late. (In Italy, it’s really just a beverage for breakfast.) I told her to go ahead. It was ok, since there was no doubt that we weren’t originally from these parts.

Our property is about 25 minutes from where we were in San Ginesio. (Every time Anne asked me how far anything was, it always seems to be 25 minutes.) Away we went, through Colmurano and then off onto the road nearest our house. Just as I was going to make the turn off the paved road, I noticed that I was very low on gas. I certainly had enough for the distance we had to go, but I wondered if I might have a problem getting back up the hill, if all the gas was “downhill” where the gas pump couldn’t get to. So we turned around and went down into the valley to find a gas station.

Now, up the hill and down the other side to the house. Last time we were here, I hesitated at the top of the steep driveway. This time, I did more than hesitate. I didn’t hear or see any work going on, so I thought we might be there alone: bad time to get stuck at the bottom of the hill. I parked and we walked down.

Panorama of the Site
Casa Avventura From Above
 Click image to enlarge
Panorama Behind the House
Panorama From Behind the House
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As it turned out, the workmen were there. They were having lunch.

On our last visit, we hadn’t taken the time to take many photos, particularly of the ground floor. So we walked around and took shots of nearly everything on that level. (We decided not to climb the ladder to the top floor, thinking the workers might not want us up there.)

After exhausting the camera angles, we walked back up the hill and set off for lunch.

Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure

Adding Pianelle to Top Floor Ceiling Getting Ready to Pour the Roof

Ed Building a House , ,

Just yesterday, we chose the color of the pianella tiles that go between the beams and cross beams to for the ceiling of the top floor. Today, they are almost finished placing the tiles, filling the gaps with grout, addition Poroton blocks on top, and framing it all with rebar.

The next step will be to add the concrete to form the frame and structure of the roof.

Here are the pictures.

Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure

Starting the Walls Using Poroton Blocks to Form the Core of the Walls

Ed Building a House , ,

Work has begun on the building of the exterior walls. The first step is to build a structural wall out of Poroton blocks, the same type of blocks as were used to provide structure, soundproofing, and insulation to the slab between the two floors. Later, the exterior will be finished with stone and the interior with plaster.

In this overview photo, the house is coming along nicely.

Project Overview of building project in Le Marche, Italy
Casa Avventura Today
 Click image to enlarge

After reading about them and seeing the pictures of our walls in progress, I had a question: why were the using the blocks with the cores arranging horizontally? Typical construction practice seemed to be with vertical cores, like is done with cinder blocks. Then I read further: they can be used horizontally in walls.

Poroton wall block close up
Closeup of Wall Construction

I also read that when used horizontally, they should have vertical “caps” at the ends. and not just end with an “open” block.

Poroton laying pattern
Proper Laying Pattern

Now when I looked at the pictures again, I noticed that the caps were not being used, So now that question is, why not? I’m off to Kevin to find out.

Here are all the pictures.

An Update

Kevin cleared up my confusion about the horizontal cores and the lack of the end cap pieces. The caps are needed when building a load-bearing wall, but in our house the load is carried by the reinforced concrete column and beam framework. I had not read the document describing Poroton wall construction carefully enough.

Sources:
Poroton diagram: | http://www.sanmarco.it/images/download/la_corretta_esecuzione_delle_murature_in_laterizio.pdf
All other images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure

Concrete Above and Below Column and Marciapiede Work

Ed Building a House , , ,

Today, a lot of concrete got poured, first for the top floor columns and then for the marciapiede (sidewalk) surrounding the house.

Column and Sidewalk Concrete Work
Column and Sidewalk Concrete Work
Click to Enlarge

In today’s photos, you can see the concrete forms for the sidewalk being completed and the pouring and smoothing of the concrete.

Source:
All images: Copyright © Our Big Italian Adventure