Underground workspace - how to shore up and waterproof?

[saveasteading]

Living in a manhole.

37 minutes ago, Iceverge said:

I like this idea.

You try it first.

[Iceverge]

11 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

Living in a manhole.

You try it first.

 You could take out 10 buckets a day, after work. For the next 10 years. 

 

Hose pipe a pick and a shovel. No reason it wouldn't work that I can see. 

 

 

[Carrerahill]

On 24/04/2023 at 19:04, BodgeBodge said:

Hi,

This is probably more of a thought experiment in truth but...

If I wanted to dig a big hole (area of a single garage and 3m deep) and fit a modified car lift (so that I can get one car underground and one car above ground), what would be a typical means of:

 

1) Safely shoring up the sides whilst  excavating.

2) Fitting a structure which will be watertight.

 

My initial thought would be to build a steel box frame and slowly dig / lower it in to place (I.e. it serves as the shoring and the final structure). The inner faces of the frame would then be welded with a skin of sheet steel and then back filled with concrete. I'm sure someone here would have a better idea?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Si

I would dig a big hole, pour a concrete box in it, waterproof it/tank it, then backfill with clean stone. This is how they do most basements in North America then build a timber house on top.

 

I would consider things like a sump pump etc.

 

I wish I had done something a bit like this when I built my garage. Too late now really. 

[saveasteading]

7 minutes ago, Carrerahill said:

then backfill with clean stone

I'm missing something.

Backfill up to ground level again?

[saveasteading]

On 24/04/2023 at 19:04, BodgeBodge said:

build a steel box frame and slowly dig / lower it in to place (I.e. it serves as the shoring and the final

That is how wells were built, but with brick or timber.

Basically how most tunnels are constructed too, tho horiz, obv.

[Carrerahill]

28 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

I'm missing something.

Backfill up to ground level again?

Yes. So basically you clear a bigger area for a safe build, pour a box, backfill. 

 

I follow a lot of North American You Tubers who self build, or trades who film their work and spent 2 weeks in Vancouver where I watched developers at a local site over the 2 week period and this is, 80% of the time how they do it, you would need to have the space to do it like this though. 

 

If I had space I would do this as I feel it is a safer option and easier all round, only issue would be muck-away but depends on your situation that might not be an issue at all. 

Edited April 28, 2023 by Carrerahill