[Domesteading 00153] Re: Discussion reinitiates

[John E. Johnson]

 No practical experience with those. Sorry. I have used similar types for
foundation repair on conventional homes with some success. JJ

 John E. Johnson
newagedomeconstruction.com
-----Original Message-----
From: domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com
[mailto:domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com] On Behalf Of J & D Goldman
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 9:27 PM
To: A forum for the discussion of aspects of independent,off-the-grid living
Subject: [Domesteading 00152] Re: Discussion reinitiates

A follow up JJ question.  I've been reading a great deal about helical
piers.  Most people see them used to aid failing foundations, but they
are now used to support entire buildings where concrete footings are a
problem.  They just screw into the ground, so in some situations they
go in fast using a skid steer loader and do a complete end-run around
some of the problems of getting concrete trucks into/out of mud, etc.
They are engineered to supply the load support and uplift resistance
needed for permanent structures.

Do you know if anyone is using helical piers for either domes or
buildings? Any insights to share on those?  You'd think with domes,
putting one at each ground hub would really hold it.


thx - Dan G.
-----Original Message-----
From: John E. Johnson <newageco at dbtech.net>
To: 'A forum for the discussion of aspects of independent,off-the-grid
living' <domesteading at sculptors.com>
Date: Thursday, April 05, 2007 4:15 PM
Subject: [Domesteading 00151] Re: Discussion reinitiates


>Hello Christine...glad to know you're still interested.
> Reports on domes surviving Katrina, is old news to the media.
> What we (and another kit supplier) received was many "thank you"
calls from
>our clients who were hit directly...some who we've NEVER heard from
after
>the kits were up. They were building with storm survivability in mind
to
>start with, but never imagined a storm like KATRINA. I had clients
affected
>by ANDREW who felt this one was worse in many ways.
>  One client who rode it out right on the beach swore the whole
structure
>moved a foot either direction from the surge. Since the pilings were
>correctly done it's still upright where it's supposed to be. The
sheetrock
>finish we used flexed just as designed.
> The Durand pilings seemed a bit overdone by one local builders'
standards
>but the one he built next door (conventional shape) has the prettiest
set of
>pilings remaining.
>No house on them....but nice pilings.
>
> John E. Johnson
>newagedomeconstruction.com
>-----Original Message-----
>From: domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com
>[mailto:domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com] On Behalf Of Chris
>Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 12:21 PM
>To: A forum for the discussion of aspects of independent,off-the-grid
living
>Subject: [Domesteading 00150] Re: Discussion reinitiates
>
>What an amazing conversation... <grin>. So nice to hear about
'solutions'.
>The whole climate/energy awareness thing -- no matter how one sees
all the
>CO2/global warming complexities -- is still such a compelling
'quality of
>life' dynamic. No matter if we had in hand the technology to control
the
>overall climate of earth with a virtual thermostat, there would still
be
>major issues about equitable energy access and effective energy
management
>to resolve.
>
>Under this heading, I am interested to know what, if anything, has
been done
>
>by mainstream media to banner the news about dome construction
withstanding
>Katrina? This has the ring of a really interesting story to me.
Something
>worth mentioning on http://www.LocalEnergyMatters.INFO If there are
news
>clips about it, I could simply post references to them... however, if
>nothing much has been written about this I would like to find a way
to help
>publicize the news.
>
>Anyway, good to see this discussion revived... ~Christine
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "John E. Johnson" <newageco at dbtech.net>
>To: "'A forum for the discussion of aspects of
independent,off-the-grid
>living'" <domesteading at sculptors.com>
>Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 10:28 AM
>Subject: [Domesteading 00149] Re: Discussion reinitiates
>
>
>>  Won't be leaving the continent that's for sure...
>> As Dan G and others who know us already know, we are big on helping
solve
>> the problems that give domes a bad rap. Our clients will verify
that after
>> we're through.
>>  The do-it-yourself aspect of the dome industry is great for a glib
>> salesman with a new wrinkle on how to build their version of the
latest,
>> greatest dome kit, but doesn't help the real people who just want
to take
>> advantage of the inherent advantages of building a dome in the
first
>> place.
>> Roofing is still a big issue. Lots of new ways to cover a dome that
still
>> leave the ventilation issue unsolved. Lots of well intentioned and
non
>> dome
>> experienced roofers still screwing the clients. My oldest son is
back from
>> Iraq and running the roofing/repair crew and we are making some
real
>> believers out of those who have had nothing but problems with their
roofs
>> since they built. Not rocket science...just some careful thought
and a
>> vented cupola does the trick on most domes. He's tired of being
shot at
>> and
>> after walking away from one crash decided he didn't like that line
of work
>> as much as he once did. A Kiowa D is just not designed as an inner
city
>> gunship. He sure left the Army with some interesting stories. 3
combat
>> tours
>> will do that for you. We're so thankful to have him home in one
piece!
>>   We currently have several domes on the coast going up. Lots of
activity
>> around these with many adopting the "wait and see" attitude, but
very keen
>> on the idea in general. We had 12 domes actually hit by Katrina and
nobody
>> suffered more than impact damage from somebody else's house coming
apart,
>> and some broken windows and shingle damage. No structural damage at
all.
>> One
>> was in the process of being decked when it was hit. No damage. Many
>> inspectors are actually pushing domes now....that's a wonder!
>> Paul Durand is working with us directly now and it sure helps to
have this
>> guy in your corner. He's set several "ostrich postured" inspectors
on
>> their
>> heels when they come up with some BS objections when we apply for
permits.
>> He's a smart man with a great sense of humor. Just don't come up
with a
>> hair brained objection to a dome if you are an inspector. He
absolutely
>> destroys their flawed logic when it is used as an objection.
>> Financing is getting easier for those clients who tell their
bankers we're
>> on the project. The days of the do-it-yourself domes are just about
over
>> without some experienced help looking over your shoulder.
>> Concrete domes are making some waves based on the whole idea that
concrete
>> MUST be better, but the reality is different from the perception
for most
>> residential dome builders. (I'm sure I'll get busted for that).
>> I just call em like I repair em folks!
>> We've got a tall building looking at a renovation that includes a
super
>> ellipsoid dome on the roof. I'll post some results as we close in
on a
>> design. Got to talk to our boy down under though!
>> A dome with airbags!? Why not? Good to hear from you Dan. We're
still
>> kicking.
>>
>> John E. Johnson
>> newagedomeconstruction.com
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com
>> [mailto:domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com] On Behalf Of J & D
Goldman
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 8:46 PM
>> To: A forum for the discussion of aspects of
independent,off-the-grid
>> living
>> Subject: [Domesteading 00146] Re: Discussion reinitiates
>>
>> Wow, nice to hear from JJ again.  I wasn't sure if you hadn't left
the
>> continent for one of your biggie dome contracts.
>>
>> So tell us more about the post Katrina activity.  I kept wondering
>> when people would start figuring out that insurance doesn't pay for
>> everything (even when it pays at all), and its better to have a
home
>> that can come through it in one piece.  We even have a concrete
dome
>> outfit trying to take off here in Iowa.  Tornados we have here are
>> very destructive, but very localized. Unlike large hurricanes,
local
>> services nearby remain intact, so help can pour in from nearby. Not
so
>> with big storms that wipe out miles at a time.
>>    So how about a dome with deployable perimeter pontoons for use
in
>> New Orleans...?  :-)  Are insurance companies catching on about
domes
>> or are they still treating them like they are huts for hippies and
>> don't want to deal with it?  Are they cooperating with or getting
>> pressure from newcomers to domes who want to live in one?
>>
>> Thanks - Dan G.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: John E. Johnson <newageco at dbtech.net>
>> To: 'A forum for the discussion of aspects of
independent,off-the-grid
>> living' <domesteading at sculptors.com>
>> Date: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 4:47 PM
>> Subject: [Domesteading 00145] Re: Discussion reinitiates
>>
>>
>>>Thank GOD! I thought MY computer was set wrong and not picking up
any
>>>discussions.
>>>No high tech stuff here today guys and gals. Just lots of post
>> Katrina dome
>>>construction going on. One significant thing I have noticed in the
>> last 3
>>>years is that a  much higher percentage of dome inquiries and
>> subsequent
>>>builds are scientists, meteorologists, engineers.
>>> I still don't think George Carlin in "CARS" did us any favors but
I
>> do love
>>>his humor.
>>>Kudos to those of you who have made smarter dome decisions for
>> subscribing.
>>>I knew I was home when I saw Unkaducky still hanging.  :-)
>>>
>>> John E. Johnson
>>>newagedomeconstruction.com
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com
>>>[mailto:domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com] On Behalf Of J & D
>> Goldman
>>>Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 10:00 PM
>>>To: A forum for the discussion of aspects of
independent,off-the-grid
>> living
>>>Subject: [Domesteading 00141] Re: Discussion reinitiates
>>>
>>>I have the same observation about the dome list.  Several years of
>>>flowing conversation followed by several years of drought. Maybe
this
>>>list should be nicknamed Cicada.
>>>
>>>Thanks for posting the meeting information.  I heard a news report
>> the
>>>other day where some expert was claiming that carbon emissions from
>>>"buildings" dwarfs anything exhausted by vehicles.  If that is the
>>>case, the energy efficiency of domes should at least get them on
some
>>>lists of things to talk about.  As Rob Conroy points out, some of
the
>>>excuses for domes being "difficult" are dissappearing, as the
>> computer
>>>makes these more complex geometries easier for people to tackle
>>>themselves and get it right.  The tools are cheaper than they ever
>>>were (compount miters sell for peanuts now), and the materials are
>>>improving, with more biodegradeable structural choices appearing
>>>daily.  I'm still impressed with honeycomb panels for low weight,
>> high
>>>strength and superior insulation.  Now you can even get concrete
that
>>>is light permeable so it glows during the day.
>>>
>>>- Dan G.
>>>
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: Chris <bewise at hypertech.net>
>>>To: A forum for the discussion of aspects of
independent,off-the-grid
>>>living <domesteading at sculptors.com>
>>>Date: Monday, April 02, 2007 8:43 PM
>>>Subject: [Domesteading 00136] Re: Information
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hey... I'll chime in her to say that I've received nada from this
>>>list for
>>>>quite some time... then suddenly y'all struck up this
>> conversation...
>>>Me
>>>>thinks that, perhaps, this list may not return a copy to the
sender
>>>of their
>>>>own post??? Anyway, I'll soon find out <smile>. In the interim,
>>>perhaps all
>>>>y'all (which is gramatically correct Ozark Redneck Southernese ---
>>>just in
>>>>case you didn't know <laffin>) will enjoy the news release (below)
>>>about an
>>>>energy.climate event we're coordinating April 14th. Wish I'd of
>>>thought to
>>>>tell ya about it sooner... It would be great to have somebody
there
>>>stumping
>>>>for the energy efficiency of domes... ~Christine
>>>>
>>>>DATELINE: March 31, 2007
>>>>Citing EPA statistics, "The U.S. emits over 7.6 thousand-million
>>>metric tons
>>>>of greenhouse gases annually,"  Ruth Reynolds, coordinator of the
>>>Step It Up
>>>>Hardy Town Meeting, worries.  Inspired by the National Day of
>> Climate
>>>Action
>>>>scheduled for April 14th "Step It Up 2007",  Reynolds and several
>>>friends
>>>>are organizing the energy/climate awareness event being held that
>>>Saturday
>>>>in The Olde Hardy Gym, 203 School Street, Hardy, Arkansas.
>>>>
>>>>"The world is already committed to an eventual half-degree Celsius
>>>(about
>>>>one degree Fahrenheit) temperature increase," Reynolds continued.
>>>>"Day-by-day greenhouse gases relentlessly build up in the
>> atmosphere,
>>>>committing us to ever greater temperature increases. On and on
goes
>>>the list
>>>>of compelling reasons to quickly enact a plethora of strong energy
>>>>legislation, including a federal mandate to reduce greenhouse
gases
>>>>emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050."
>>>>
>>>>Open discussion of this 'list of compelling reasons' is the focal
>>>point of
>>>>the all-day gathering in Hardy, which opens at 10am with Vendor &
>>>>Educational displays and demonstrations that explore ways to save
>>>energy,
>>>>reduce heat-trapping gases emissions, and ensure energy and food
>>>security.
>>>>Featured technologies offer ways to increase fuel and household
>>>energy
>>>>efficiency, eliminate waste, and make every drop of energy work
for
>>>the
>>>>common good.
>>>>
>>>>The Town Meeting Agenda, which convenes promptly at 12:00 noon,
will
>>>be
>>>>officiated by Hardy Mayor Nina Thornton. Featured Speakers and
>> Topics
>>>>include:
>>>>
>>>>"Significant Quotes," Ruth Reynolds, Coordinator of Step It Up
Hardy
>>>2007,
>>>>President of Save Our Spring River, and Member of the Sharp County
>>>Recycling
>>>>Center Executive Board, will address the range of attitudes about
>>>Global
>>>>Warming in opening remarks.
>>>>
>>>>"God's Dream," Reverend Gary Goldman, native Arkansan from
>> Texarkana,
>>>>graduate of Henderson College and Saint Paul School of Theology,
>>>alumnus of
>>>>Hendrix College and Harvard School of Business, retired United
>> Method
>>>ist
>>>>minister now appointed part-time with the Horseshoe Bend United
>>>Methodist
>>>>Church, will speak to the responsibility of environmental
>>>stewardship.
>>>>
>>>>"The Greenhouse Effect," Dr. Lawrence Coleman, a tenacious
scientist
>>>>affiliated since 1969 with University of Arkansas at Little Rock
>>>(UALR)
>>>>Department of Physics and Astronomy, has given talks statewide on
>> the
>>>>science of global warming and the physics of the greenhouse
effect.
>>>His talk
>>>>is augmented by a Power Point presentation. "Melting glaciers,
>>>earlier
>>>>springs, vanishing polar ice. these things have all happened in
the
>>>past. So
>>>>the real question is Why are they happening now?  Why do
scientists
>>>believe
>>>>that humans are now causing global warming and, more importantly,
>>>what can
>>>>be done to avoid the worst effects by acting responsibly,
rationally
>>>and
>>>>soon?"
>>>>
>>>>"A World of Possibilities," Sandie Cloud, member of the Board of
>>>Directors
>>>>serving as head of the Retail Committee of the Hemp Industries
>>>Association
>>>>(HIA), and proprietor of For Mother Earth Norfork and For Mother
>>>Earth
>>>>Hardy, will address the carbon-neutral possibilities of hemp as an
>>>>environmentally and economically friendly resource for fuel, food,
>>>fabric
>>>>and building materials.
>>>>
>>>>"BioEnergy," Ron Bell, Vice President of the Arkansas Association
of
>>>>Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), Chairman of
>> the
>>>>Arkansas Energy Office, Bioenergy Services Contractor and Farmer
>> will
>>>>address ongoing developments of the North Central Arkansas
Bioenergy
>>>>Program, the Central Arkansas Biodiesel Infrastructure Project and
>>>The
>>>>Arkansas Bioenergy Policy Council in the endeavor to replace
>>>fossil-fuels
>>>>with renewable/sustainable agricultural products.
>>>>
>>>>The Town Meeting will conclude with a "Q & A Forum," moderated by
>>>Mayor
>>>>Thornton taking comments and questions from the floor addressed to
>>>these and
>>>>other topical experts, including Robert Reed of American Spirit
>>>Energy Homes
>>>>and Christine Beems of Gozarks, followed by the hallmark signature
>>>action of
>>>>every nationally affiliated Step It Up 2007 event: a public 'photo
>>>op' to
>>>>stand in support of the nationwide rally of over a thousand unique
>>>events
>>>>and activities being held this same day, stumping for Congress to
>> cut
>>>CO2
>>>>emissions 80% by 2050.
>>>>
>>>>Subsequent to the photo-op, exhibit and vendor booths will reopen
>>>until 4pm
>>>>when the program concludes with a Drum Ceremony and the Award of
>> Door
>>>>Prizes, including such environmentally friendly things as
>> fluorescent
>>>light
>>>>bulbs, organically grown garlic, potted plants, and gift
>> certificates
>>>for
>>>>ecologically healthy merchandise.
>>>>
>>>>"I wish to extend special thanks to all the volunteers who are
>> making
>>>this
>>>>event happen," Reynolds acknowledged. "Reasons why people become
>>>>environmentalists are various. I'm just thankful that a few of
them
>>>had the
>>>>time and inclination to help stage our local rally. It is exciting
>> to
>>>be one
>>>>of thousands of Step it Up participants who believe we must find
and
>>>>implement the ways and means to control and diminish our seemingly
>>>>insatiable addiction to fossil-fuels. Saturday, April 14th, is a
>> good
>>>day to
>>>>send this message to Congress."
>>>>
>>>>All Step It Up Hardy activities are open, free of charge, to the
>>>general
>>>>public. Picnic lunches are welcome and lawn chairs are encouraged.
>>>Bleacher
>>>>seating is available, first come, first serve. For more
information,
>>>visit
>>>>www.StepItUp2007.org or  www.LocalEnergyMatters.info or contact
Ruth
>>>>Reynolds, 870-257-4596. ~~~~
>>>>
>>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>>From: "ROBERT VANCE" <naptimeatv at msn.com>
>>>>To: <domesteading at sculptors.com>
>>>>Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 3:28 PM
>>>>Subject: [Domesteading 00135] Re: Information
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sal,
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for the response! No, I haven't abandoned the domelist
but
>>>it seems
>>>>> that I am no longer connected to it! In that case, if you have
any
>>>idea on
>>>>> how I can re-connect to it - please let me know! I've sent some
>>>messages
>>>>> to the address that I have but haven't received anything in
>>>return -
>>>>> including the list itself!
>>>>>
>>>>> Bob Vance
>>>>> mailto:naptimeatv at msn.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>From: Sal Cerda <sal.cerda at rocketmail.com>
>>>>>>Reply-To: "A forum for the discussion of aspects of
>>>>>>independent,off-the-grid living" <domesteading at sculptors.com>
>>>>>>To: "A forum for the discussion of aspects of
>>>independent,off-the-grid
>>>>>>living" <domesteading at sculptors.com>
>>>>>>Subject: [Domesteading 00133] Re: Information
>>>>>>Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 19:09:34 -0700 (PDT)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Hey there Robert.
>>>>>>I don't know the answer to your questions, but I do know that we
>>>miss you
>>>>>>over at the domelist.  Hope you haven't abandoned us.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Sal
>>>>>>Than
>>>>>>Robert Vance <naptimeatv at msn.com> wrote: The instructions are
>> clear
>>>to
>>>>>>post information and access the archives but how do I get daily
>>>>>>submissions?
>>>>>>Bob Vance
>>>>>>mailto:naptimeatv at msn.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>---------------------------------
>>>>>>Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels
>>>>>>in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
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>>>>> 8:49 PM
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
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>>>1:15 PM
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