The drainage and settling issues have been largely addressed. We removed over 350 tons of material from around the dome to achieve proper drainage as shown in figure 1 below (1). As of today, water from a rain storm no longer stands around the dome for days. Today, rain water that falls on the north side drains to the north while rain water falling on the south side drains into a sump and is pumped to the nearest pond. The dome projects will continue for some time as funding allows. French drains have been installed, and they and have been draining water from under the dome for almost two years. The dome and the interior structure are still settling and shifting. Where they will finally stabilize has yet to be seen. However, the repairs that have been accomplished are in anticipation of further shifting.
Figures 2a & 2b below (1) show the sewer lift station, rear HVAC compressors, and the high voltage transformer repair. The equipment can be accessed and repaired without compromising quality.
The side walks around the dome were removed and the dome footing was exposed. Please see figures 3a, 3b, & 3c below (1). The footings were then backfilled with a produced called "Flowable Fill". James Cooks of Lone Star Construction was contracted to do the foundation and concrete work. The section of exposed foundation where James is exploring with a pick ran hundreds of gallons of water flowing for over an hour before slowing to a trickle. The French drain installed here trickle water from under the dome for nearly 2 years. To better understand the issues facing the foundation stabilization and sealing process, please refer to figures 3d & 3e below (1).
To provide a finished look and to provide a sealing function between the foundation and the Flowable Fill, a cap sidewalk poured around the dome. The sidewalk also included pads for the HVAC condensing units. All of the concrete used in this operation contained fiberglass reinforcing along with the rebar. Please see the pictures in figures 4a & 4b below (2).
The picture in figure 4b below (2) shows a fence in the background which secures a sump. The sump was installed because the material removal required to accomplish drainage to the north would have left the camp with a canyon. The sump was custom built by adding a septic tank without a bottom to a standard septic tank. The resulting depth allows the drainage of the French drain installed on the south side of the dome. The French drain is terminated in the tank with a check valve that shuts when the sump is filled with rain water. The French drain on the north side of the dome just runs out on the ground downhill from the dome. Please see the pictures in figures 5a, 5b, & 5c below (2).
The entrances to the dome have been reworked to promote drainage and to un-jam the doors that have been crushed by the settling action between the dome and the inner structure. Three of the four entrances have been reworked as of this writing. The fourth entrance will not be of the storefront variety, but will be a roll-up door that will allow the use of equipment in the dome. The store front doors were removed by breaking the upper light panels and sawing the wedged aluminum frame from the crushed rough opening. The threshold level of the old doors was then raised 2.5" and the resulting slab poured to create drainage. The openings were fitted with awnings which will keep water from coming back into the dome. The awnings also will allow the dome to be kept cleaner as they will allow patrons to cleanup prior to entry without the threat of weather. Please see the pictures in figures 6a & 6b below (2) for the before and after shots of the northeast dome entrance, the pictures in figures 7a (2) & 7b (3) below are for the main entrance, and figures 8a, 8b,& 8c below (3) have pictures for the northwest entrance.
All of the new installation is designed with the idea that the dome and interior structure are not done moving relative to each other. The awnings are supported by the dome and in no way hooked to the interior structure. The new door installation can rise and fall relative to the awning structure please see the slip fit in figure 9 below (3).
