Mantel

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Here is a picture of a stone mantle over lava, taken during excavation for our house here in Tenerife

Wow - so how do they build foundations on top of stuff like that?

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

Wow - so how do they build foundations on top of stuff like that?

That's a very good and painful question. In our case, we had no idea there was a cave full of volcanic cinders with a rock mantel until we excavated. I calculated that the rock was of sufficient strength to support the bit of the house on top, but the architect insisted on altering the structure of the house so that the bit on top was not exerting any downward force. If the cave collapsed, the house would stay where it was. A clever solution, but very expensive for me. Usually in Tenerife, you don't know what's underneath - you build and hope. (sorry - all very off-topic)

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Perikles

That's a very good and painful question. In our case, we had no idea there was a cave full of volcanic cinders with a rock mantel until we excavated. I calculated that the rock was of sufficient strength to support the bit of the house on top, but the architect insisted on altering the structure of the house so that the bit on top was not exerting any downward force. If the cave collapsed, the house would stay where it was. A clever solution, but very expensive for me. Usually in Tenerife, you don't know what's underneath - you build and hope. (sorry - all very off-topic)

Not extremely off topic, as we are discussing mantels. Yes, owning property and a home certainly can present one with some, um, er, interesting financial challenges........