We are experiencing a theme for our workdays – everything revolves around concrete and concrete without a big truck with a chute on it equals a lot of hard work! Our entire project for today was to prepare the floor of the house for concrete. This entailed many steps starting with returning to our project from yesterday of moving and breaking up old broken concrete blocks. this project cleared up our jobsite because we cleared two huge piles of broken blocks, but was also a huge amount of work! After all the concrete blocks were in the "house" they were spread evening over teh entire floor. The next step was to bucket hundreds of buckets of sand on top of the concrete blocks. This was done to allow the sand to sift down between the broken blocks and fill the gaps. After the "floor" was completely filled with sand, it was then watered down to help the sand sift down further, then more sand was added until it was a solid layer of sand.
Next step was to bucket and spread gravel over the enture floor, followed by a checkerboard pattern of split bamboo - to act as the rebar. After the "rebar" was in place, every intersection had to be nailed together. It was a tedious task, for sure!
Then FINALLY it was time to mix more concrete and start pouring the slab for the floor of the house. Again more gravel and sand was hauled and concrete was mixed. It was nearing the end of our workday so we only got through pouring the kitchen, which is a slightly lower than the rest of the house. It was so exciting to finally see the floor looking like a floor!
Tomorrow we will work a half day only and will finish the rest of the concrete slab so we will be ready to start laying block for the walls on Friday morning. Exciting stuff - means more concrete to come :)
Next step was to bucket and spread gravel over the enture floor, followed by a checkerboard pattern of split bamboo - to act as the rebar. After the "rebar" was in place, every intersection had to be nailed together. It was a tedious task, for sure!
Then FINALLY it was time to mix more concrete and start pouring the slab for the floor of the house. Again more gravel and sand was hauled and concrete was mixed. It was nearing the end of our workday so we only got through pouring the kitchen, which is a slightly lower than the rest of the house. It was so exciting to finally see the floor looking like a floor!
Tomorrow we will work a half day only and will finish the rest of the concrete slab so we will be ready to start laying block for the walls on Friday morning. Exciting stuff - means more concrete to come :)
Wow! You guys are truly amazing!
ReplyDeleteI am exhausted, just reading each new blog update, and I am sitting in a chair, in front of my computer..........in the AC! :(
Thanks so much for creating and posting on the blog. I look forward to hearing about the progress of Team Thailand.
Take care, All, and keep up the great work! I will continue to think good - COOL - thoughts for you!
Sherry Droste
Great information on what your team is doing and accomplishing. The families at home are so proud of your genereous contribution of time and the effort it takes. Your description gives us very clear picture of the heat and humidity and the exhaustion that comes with hard work. Embrace the concrete!
ReplyDeleteHeath's Dad (Kevin)
The concept of bamboo rebar is fascinating! just another reminder of how much the world in general takes for granted! Sounds like the team is making amazing progress, with less than ideal conditions.
ReplyDeleteSarah, you know what your dad's comment is about all of this hard work! We are both so proud of you!
I really appreciate these updates and pix's. You all are doing a wonderful job!
ReplyDelete