Helena Observatory (re)build

[KathyNS]

Today's work was pouring the concrete for the pier footing. I managed to get it all done before the day got too hot. When I knocked off at 11:00, it was "only" 27 degrees C! Hydration was a major concern, and my back is a little worse for wear. No pics today, since there is nothing to see until the forms come off.

I ended up being short about half a bag of concrete mix. @#$%!! I had no choice: I had to set my pier bolts while the concrete was still workable. The bolts are long enough that they were into the concrete that was there, hopefully enough to hold them. I will leave it to cure for several days. Once I remove the plywood that is aligning the bolts, I will see how it looks. I should be able to add more concrete to bring it up to the planned level.

[Graeme1858]

You are probably aware Kathy that you will need to scabble the surface of the cured first pour of concrete, to expose the stone, prior to pouring the wet second pour, in order to ensure you get a good adhesion.

[KathyNS]

You are probably aware Kathy that you will need to scabble the surface of the cured first pour of concrete, to expose the stone, prior to pouring the wet second pour, in order to ensure you get a good adhesion.

I didn't know that. Thanks for the heads-up.

[KathyNS]

I finished the pier foundation. When I opened up the top of the form, the pier bolts held firm. I painted the concrete with concrete bonding adhesive and then poured more concrete on top, with a couple of pieces of rebar in it. After troweling it smooth, I am pretty pleased with the result. Once this batch cures, I will be able to strip the forms.

[KathyNS]

Hurricane Lee is a distant memory. Just a bit of wind and rain, and 6 hours without power. No big deal.

What is a big deal is that I finally got my electrical trench dug. Conduit is installed. Now I have to back fill by hand. Ugh! Oh, well, progress is progress.

[Graeme1858]

Are you going to run an LV/SCADA/Ethernet conduit too whilst the trench is open?

Graeme

[KathyNS]

Are you going to run an LV/SCADA/Ethernet conduit too whilst the trench is open?

Graeme

That would be my first choice, but there is no point. There is no possibility of getting Ethernet out to the observatory. I really, REALLY don't want to dig up the driveway. I was able to take power from the toolshed/workshop, but it doesn't have Ethernet. I will have to make do with Wifi.