saveasteading

But perhaps that is necessary to some extent, to encourage efficiency and lower consumption? But oil and gas prices will no doubt rise and it will balance out. I assume that when production is high and use is low, water is pumped up at Loch Cruachan and the others and batteries are filled.

I agree, but the occasional hand sketch would be fine. The most important thing is that the bco or checking Engineer ( and later any worker) can readily understand it.

I still draw by hand. Pencil on squared paper. Inked over later. Photocopier and tippex come in handy. I'm not being facetious, I just don't do enough sketches to justify learning or buying a cad package. But for the big stuff, experts do that. My drawings are for thinking, for passing over to others to use or integrate, but even to include in a proposal. I've never had a negative comment.

If that was a mistype then you have time to edit it out.

A large part of the populace don't want honesty. Do many of those that supported brexit, now support reform... what does the Venn diagram say about this overlap I wonder. All they want to hear is that it is the fault of foreigners, and life will be easy and prosperous if they are got rid of. "which we will make happen". Should the honesty include?.. Britain terrorised the world and some people became very rich. it is our fault. Things will get worse from now on. we must return to the old days of rich masters and poor workers who die in their 60s. Off down the mines with you or whatever job we require. Climate change is a huge problem. You will have to pay more for power and water, and using roads. Education is falling behind. Certain standards must be restored or your children won't get unemployment support. All of this requires that you will pay more tax. Now vote for our honest party. Or just say, it's these foreigners' fault, vote for us and it will be sorted and you will be prosperous... details to follow. It worked for Trump.

Because they get their living where? Not at sea as the fish are gone. Other than your pies that is. Landfill sites? You could try the aforementioned cement additive.

That is gross cynicism. To which I add that you have your opinion and would appear to not want things to change. Thus you and the oil and gas industry do not want any consultation. Change follows expert review and advice, and then perhaps it needs publicity and public opinion to make politicians look at it and take it seriously. Meanwhile a large element of the press will resist change, aided by freely supplied (ready written articles effectively) counter-argument by the carbon industry. Few politicians or journalists have scientific knowledge or logic so they need the expert report, and they need to be pointed to it. By us. There are plenty of consultations which have resulted in big change.

Agreed except that: I'm thinking of an individual who would shout out loud that "global warming" was a hoax, because "look out the window there is snow". That was 20 years ago. Now will equally spout about climate change being a great concern. There is no depth of knowledge but his views have reversed. Based on a dribble of information or perhaps from s person he listens to. Likewise we don't hear many moans about having to recycle these days. And apparently the hosepipe and how to save water advice are making a difference. Multiply that by millions of people and things can improve. We must do what little we can. On politics: there are good people who we seldom hear from, but they have a vote and can plug away at the career politicians who we do hear from.

Have to admit that is impressive and might well hurt.

@G and Jyou are the foreman and knew what to watch for. Some clients wouldn't know what they were looking for. Plus reading a drawing is not a common skill.

The Steading power went off along with thousands of other houses due to storms. Thus the heat pump didn't work either. There is currently no backup. I will be asking for advice on here soon I think.

There are, or used to be some very large water tanks I designed for a hospital and a coal mine...probably both now built over. Plus some holding back the North Sea which I know are still there or we would all have read about it. Plus a couple of bridges and basements. So any questions on concrete retaining walls design or construction are welcome now or at any time, but in a new thread. How would I find this thread?

I recall my dad made his own and made triangular timber brackets that folded out as hefty supports. These can be as long and sturdy as you like. Old door hinges used i think (no purchases would have been necessary!). Plus you could have a leg to support at any position, probably nearer the loose adge., and this could fold down or be inserted.

Larry and Mo think it's easy, and moan about not getting 1/3 share, until on their own, when it grinds to a halt at best.

Turn the speed down, don't press too hard and let the blade work. If I can do it, so can anyone. I did 4 of 150mm with one layer of mesh in an hour and no pain. The drill was nothing special in weight or Watts, just smooth.

OK. I can't remember where we hired it, but our groundworker used it for the first time and successfully. OR there is the grave digging type excavator, which is like a chainsaw for ground.

Really? In my experience of a 3 person gang. The lead bricky (or other trade) sometimes can read a drawing and manage. The second bricky seems good until left in charge. The labourer no chance. The potential need for a foreman will depend on the gang, the complexity and the client.

Better still is a special plough that slits the ground and the pipe rolls out behind it and the ground closes again. Used one once for a water pipe of about 100m , and it took hours not days.

It can suit client , contractor and supplier, all 3, for the client to pay for goods direct. That is easy for some things like a TP, or a load of bricks. Not so straight forward where there is a skill in measuring and risk of errors, eg window sizes, or roof panel lengths. It has to be discussed really early in the process.

Can it run over the top?

I said I'm out so should maintain that. Briely then, in the retaining wall picture the base is fixed so doesn't rotate. The top deflects outward, so the inner face is in tension.. However the pc retaining wall does not apply acc to the orangy sketch All that load goes onto the skinny columns which fall over.

Easiest with threaded rod and epoxy. Presumably there is a datum for each wall that is simply measured off. Alternatively use strings or fancier laser type stuff. The bolts are measured as a cluster relative to that.* For height use steel shims set to the height required. I preferred to set sacrificial nuts on the bolts, lowered to the level, thus typically four bolts support the column until it is grouted underneath. Happy to expand if you explain which bits in particular. Perhaps on a new thread. * although skilled in theodolites etc, I prefer lines and tape measures. It also means that the building usually has an edge beam by that stage, so it's easy access and to mark out. If the perimeter is built then it's even simpler.

Sounds best to me. Safer as no long trailing cables. Plus I recall once having power provided at a box 40m from the project, 110v transformers there then yellow cables to the building, and drills were barely turning.

Your logistics is back to front. The reinforcement works best in tension, so centrally or inside. The reason I suggested block is for construction and avoiding shuttering. Try cavity 2 x 100. Infill slowly with concrete if you want. Sorry. I see you're playing. I will duck out now. Just be sure never to let children play in there, and knock it down before passing on the property.

No that's wrong. 16mm I might believe. You need to get expert help and I can't condone your friend trying to guess stuff that is complex. Actual numbers are rather important.