[ast3r3x]

Call it making up for a missed childhood or nothing better to do. But I have come up with the wonderful idea to build a fort-thing.

I'd like to build it into the side of a hill, but uh I'm not really sure of the best way. How do you dig into the side of a hill without the top collapsing as you go? I don't get how you keep the dirt at the top supported.

I could just dig into flat ground and make a solid roof so that it would be easier, but it wouldn't be as cool.

As a note, this will probably be used for when we play paintball or a place to chill out in the summer if I'd be able to safely get a fire going.

So, who wants to give some advice (besides not to do it) on how to make the thing? I've always been able to rig something up and do things the most shady way possible, but I'd rather do this somewhat legitamately, maybe so it doesn't fall on me

[HOM]

If you keep the material above the fort at the angle of repose it will not collapse.



From here.

Yay Rocks for Jocks!!

[ast3r3x]

Now I am slow, but I don't really get how that helps too much.

Are you just saying when I'm digging in to the side, to keep it at the same angle so that the back doesn't collapse? That actually would be good to know, as I can see that getting frustrating.

But how do I keep where I dug from falling in?

Problem:


Solution? I was thinking maybe if I used plywood to support as I just keep moving in...

[HOM]

Sorry, the post was a little short on details.

What I'm saying is if you keep the angle of the side of the hill at the angle of repose, most likely 40º in your case, it will keep the side of the hill from sliding down on top of your fort.

If the hill is not at or around 40º it is very likely that cutting a big chunk into the side will cause a landslide.

I hope that clears things up a bit.

[DMBand0026]

Dude, ast3r3x, you're gonna end up dead before this is over, aren't you?

[ast3r3x]

That or arrested for doing this on state land.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by ast3r3x That or arrested for doing this on state land.

Why the state land bit?

[Wrao]

can't you just make it out of pillows like a regular kid?

[ast3r3x]

Been there, done that, now I gotta built a sweet secret fort

[Maciej]

Well... the diagram suggested sand or pebbles or the like, which I'm not sure if you are planning on using ast3r3x, but I think anyone can realize thats a bad idea.

The angle of repose thing is all correct, but it shouldn't be a problem since you really won't be changing the angle above where your digging.

I took some geology, if you stumble upon any cool rocks, be sure to let me know!!!

[Dave]

Hey, can you post some pics to document the construction of this thing? Be sure to install a video camera that auto-uploads stills every so often. That way we can watch you get arrested.

[psmith2.0]

...or killed, with your feet sticking out of the collapsed ceiling.

But seriously, good luck with that!

[ast3r3x]

Originally Posted by Dave Hey, can you post some pics to document the construction of this thing? Be sure to install a video camera that auto-uploads stills every so often. That way we can watch you get arrested.

I can imagine that perfectly in my head.