INITIAL DESIGN CONCEPTS

CONSTRUCTION TEAM

The construction team have got stuck in today with lots of debate over the different methods of construction we can look at. After discussions over bolting the entire frame or tapping and gluing it together we visited the workshop guru, Lyle, in the workshop for advice. For some reason the suggestion that we "UHU the crap out of it" wasn't met with too many smiles....

Lyle picked out the spike foundation as the easiest solution to our foundation problems. We could build these for the prototype and then used concrete point foundation for the real thing. We worked out a list of all the things that had still to be figured out, it was a very long list.....

Lyle suggested that we consider the frame without intricate joints, assuring us that it would still be structurally sound. With Eimear breathing down our necks about the aesthetic of the shelter it was a welcome solution. Simple butt joints attached with coach screws seemed to be a cheap solution which achieves good stability whilst maintaining the flush finish.

A cordless drill to take to the site was enthusiastically requested by the boys of the group, this meant dipping into the kitty, Erin put up a fight. We decided that the best option would be to prefabricate elements of the frame, making it easier to construct on site. 

Back to Lyle and approved! So from here we researched the type of rods and found that M24 was the best to use. We would drill them into the timber posts and concrete slabs and fill with resin to secure tightly. The rods are also threaded with nylon sheeted bolts for extra stabilty. The rods will cost approximately £80 in total.

Tomorrow's tasks include ordering our timber and buying concrete. The concrete will need to be measured out and placed on site accurately to ensure that when the frame is fitted at a later stage it will fit snugly. The concrete will take a few days to completely set, however it is build able on after 24 hours. During this time we plan to cut and construct the frame and cladding - take this to site and piece it all together. All that's left to do is get a good night's sleep!

Fund-raising Team

The team had a cake sale today! We made a profit of £60 and intend to have another tomorrow. Amy Sleight who was selling the cakes said she was 'very satisfied with today's profits. However [she doesn't] think we should be selling fudging cakes everyday.'

Hannah and Jemma went around as many bars in the area as possible to look for sponsorship and got a great response from many places. All that remains to be done is send formal letters.