Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Here’s the lowdown on the latest from the West Cliff Kubo project, straight from the trenches (aka our worksite):
West Cliff Kubo: The Saga Continues!
So, you guys know we’re building this awesome little Kubo, right? Well, the good news is, we’re still at it! And things are starting to look seriously tropical.
Preservation Power-Up!
First things first: keeping this bad boy standing for the long haul. We’re getting crafty with our preservation methods. Think old-school meets DIY genius. We’re talking:
Motor Oil: Yep, you read that right! Seems like a crazy idea, but it helps protect the wood from the elements.
Varnish: For that extra layer of protection and a beautiful finish. It’s all about the aesthetics, people!
Borax: This stuff is a natural wood preservative and insect repellent. Keeps those pesky bugs away!
Chopping and Shaping
Next up, the fun part: actually building the thing! We’ve been busy cutting the floor and walls. Let me tell you, getting everything just right takes some serious patience and a steady hand. But hey, that’s the fun of it, right?
Almost There!
We’re getting so close, guys! I can practically taste the tropical vibes already. Imagine: sunshine, good company, and a perfect little Kubo to chill in. It’s going to be epic.
Making San Francisco a Little Bit Better
This project isn’t just about building a cool hangout spot. It’s about making our little corner of San Francisco a better place.
One step at a time.
It’s about community, creativity, and having a blast while we’re at it.
Stay tuned for more updates! We’re almost there, and I can’t wait to share the finished product with you all.
Ah, bamboo! The plant that’s basically nature’s Swiss Army knife—flexible, strong, and just waiting to be turned into something fabulous. But before you can transform those tall, green giants into chic furniture or trendy decor, you’ve got to get them from point A (the bamboo grove) to point B (your workshop, backyard, or wherever your creative dreams take you). Enter the trusty truck, your new best friend in this leafy adventure!
The Art of Bamboo Hauling
Hauling bamboo isn’t just a task; it’s an art form! Here’s how to master it with style:
Choose Your Truck Wisely: Not all trucks are created equal. You’ll want something that can handle the height and weight of your bamboo. Think of it as picking the right dance partner—no one wants to be stepping on toes (or snapping bamboo)!
Wrap It Up: Once you’ve loaded your bamboo, it’s time to wrap it up like a present. Use tarps or netting to keep those stalks from waving goodbye mid-journey. Trust me, you don’t want to be the person who loses half their load on the highway!
Drive Like a Pro: Remember, you’re not in a race! Take it slow and steady. Those bamboo poles are not just for show; they can be quite the handful if you hit a bump too fast.
Unloading Shenanigans: When you arrive, it’s time for the grand reveal! Unload with care, and maybe even throw in a little dance to celebrate your successful haul. After all, you’ve just transported nature’s wonder!
What’s your next bamboo project? Let’s brainstorm some ideas!
So, the next time you find yourself hauling bamboo with your truck, remember: it’s not just a chore; it’s an adventure filled with laughter, creativity, and a touch of irony. Now, go forth and conquer those bamboo groves! 🌱
So, last time we left off, we were probably contemplating about the meaning of water shortages in the rainy season, or maybe just the best way to avoid headaches. This time? We’re getting serious.
Walls, Supports, and Layout!
The Kubo build continues, marking significant advancements in the construction process. Following the successful laying of the oil soaked main joists, their pinning, the project has moved into the crucial phase of wall elevation and structural reinforcement.
Wall Elevation:
The team is currently focused on constructing the 50 cm wall elevation. And of course bamboo has no standard thickness, hence the wall became 60 cm IN AVERAGE!! This stage involves meticulous attention to detail to ensure the walls are straight, mostly; levelled, they are not due to natural bamboo growth; and structurally sound, yes it is. The measurements and alignment are critical for the overall integrity and aesthetics of the Kubo structure.
Floor Joists:
Additional floor joists are being added where the flooring will terminate. We needed an endpiece so that the flooring will not hang loose where its terminates against a wall. This step is essential for providing a sturdy and even surface for the plywood sheets. The placement and spacing of these joists are made to ensure optimal support and prevent any future sagging or unevenness of the floor.
Corner Support:
To enhance the stability and durability of the corners, the construction team is diligently attaching welded triangles. These triangular supports provide crucial horizontal reinforcement, distributing horizontal sheer forces and preventing potential weaknesses in the structure. These triangles are also attached and welded to vertical 10 mm pieces in order to guarantee a super stable corner. This method ensures the Kubo’s longevity and its ability to withstand heavy wind and rain.
So, there you have it.
Another thrilling installment in our Kubo adventure. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode, where we’ll probably argue about the best type of roof structures. It’s going to be epic. 😉
Kubo Chronicles: The Bamboo Ballet and the Stubby Wall Saga
Welcome back, dear readers, to the whimsical world of Kubo construction, where bamboo dreams come true and gravity is merely a suggestion! Today, we’re diving into the latest escapades of our Kubo build, where we’ve been busy crafting a tension grid that’s more reliable than your friend who promises to bring snacks to movie night but shows up empty-handed.
The Tension Grid: Keeping It Together
First things first, let’s talk about our tension grid. You see, we’ve built this marvelous contraption to ensure our Kubo doesn’t decide to take a spontaneous vacation down the cliff. Because, let’s be honest, no one wants their dream home to turn into a scenic slide into the abyss! With our tension grid in place, we can rest easy knowing that our structure is firmly anchored, like a cat on a sunny windowsill—content and unmovable.
Pinning It Down: The 10 mm Solution
Next up, we’ve drilled holes for 10 mm pins to hold our bamboo logs in place. Now, you might be wondering, “Why 10 mm?” Well, it’s the Goldilocks of pin sizes—not too big, not too small, but just right for keeping our bamboo logs from playing a game of hide and seek. These pins are like the bouncers of our bamboo party, ensuring that only the most well-behaved logs get to stay in the Kubo.
The Stubby Wall: A Head Above the Rest
Now, let’s get to the pièce de résistance: the 50 cm stubby wall! This little beauty is not just a wall; it’s a statement. Think of it as the stylish hat that gives our A-Frame a bit of flair. With this extra height, we’re not just adding headroom; we’re elevating our living experience! Imagine being able to stand up straight without doing the limbo every time you enter your cozy abode. It’s like upgrading from a cramped elevator to a spacious penthouse suite!
Welding and Hauling: The Bamboo Ballet
Today’s agenda includes the thrilling duo of welding and hauling bamboo. Yes, you heard that right! We’re not just building; we’re putting on a show! Picture this: our team, clad in welding gear, performing a synchronized dance as we haul bamboo logs like they’re the latest dance craze.
And speaking of welding, did you know that there’s a new trend in the bamboo world? TWI has partnered with Zero Glue Bamboo to explore welding bamboo without adhesives or fasteners. It’s like the bamboo version of a no-strings-attached relationship—just pure, unadulterated bonding!
The First Part, Welding the Grid
The Second Part, Building the Stub Wall
The Grand Finale
As we continue our Kubo build, we’re reminded that every weld, every pin, and every stubby wall is a step closer to our bamboo paradise. So, whether you’re a seasoned builder or just someone who enjoys watching DIY shows while snacking on popcorn, remember that building a Kubo is not just about the structure; it’s about the journey, the laughter, and the occasional mishap that makes for great stories later.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Kubo construction site, where the bamboo is always fresh, the walls are getting taller, and the adventures are just beginning! What do you think will happen next? Will we encounter a rogue bamboo log? Or perhaps a surprise visit from a curious cobra? Only time will tell! 🏡✨
Addressing Water Scarcity in San Francisco: A Proactive Solution
The persistent issue of inconsistent water supply in Purok 4, Barangay San Francisco, Philippines, necessitates a thorough examination of the underlying causes and the implementation of sustainable solutions. The current situation, marked by monthly supply interruptions, points to potential challenges such as power constraints at the river pump, inadequate infrastructure, or operational inefficiencies. While the exact cause remains unclear, the reliance on an operating schedule rather than addressing the root of the problem highlights a critical need for proactive measures.
The core of the issue appears to be a combination of factors, including potential operational deficiencies and a possible lack of investment in modern, reliable water management systems. This situation underscores the importance of moving beyond dependency on existing systems and embracing self-reliant solutions.
A Sustainable Approach: Rainwater Harvesting
In response to this challenge, a practical and sustainable solution is proposed: the implementation of a rainwater harvesting system. This project, following the successful A-Frame Kobos initiative, focuses on leveraging the abundant rainfall experienced in the region.
Help those people who are willing to be helped
The Rain Water Collector
The project involves covering half of the chicken area with roofing, serving two primary purposes:
Shading: Providing a cooler environment for the poultry.
Rainwater Collection: Capturing rainwater for Jessie’s Sunshine Farm agriculture and household uses.
Legends:
WAR = West Access Road
LHS = Lower Hybrid Section
CAR = Central Area Roads
PS = Pig Section
NHSN = Northern Hybrid Section, North
An overview of the area. It is a top of our hill and can feed the filtration system by gravity!! The filtration System is existing and is currently being fed by barangay water. There is a differential Pressure Pump at the holding tank to provide solid water pressure.
Given the frequent rainfall in the area, with an average of 5-6 days per week, the potential for water collection is significant. Even light rain events, resulting in 1-2 cm of water accumulation, can contribute to the overall water supply. Heavy rainfall, occurring at least once a week, can yield up to 17 cm of water, offering a substantial volume for collection.
Water Volume Calculation
The proposed rainwater harvesting system is designed to maximize water collection. The calculation below demonstrates the potential water yield:
Collector Area: The collector area is 7 meters wide by 21 meters long, totaling approximately 147 square meters.
Water Volume: Based on a 17 cm rainfall event, the potential water collection is calculated as: 7 m×21 m×0.17 m×1000 liters/ cubic meter = 24,990 liters
Water Usage Estimate
The collected rainwater can be utilized for various purposes, including:
Showers: 100 liters
Cooking and Dishes: 20 liters
Laundry: 100 liters
Construction: 50 liters (variable)
Livestock and Gardening: 230 liters
Losses: Accounting for line losses and leaks
A daily usage rate of 500 liters is deemed realistic for the initial phase of the project. This approach ensures a sustainable and self-sufficient water supply, reducing dependency on unreliable external sources.
This Takeout might increase to 1,000 liters a day when the piggery is coming on and some of the tourist soak baths. Later we can simply build a second cistern and interconnect them, or we divide the takeout days by 2 to get the existing reservoirs capacity.
Cistern Capacity:
Our cistern will be 1 meter underground sandstone permitting. And above ground for another 1 meters. The area will be 4 meters by 2.5 meter, square. It will contain rebar in every hallow block, and a horizontal in each of the 10 layers. 10 mm deemed good enough and is standard here. Finishing will be done with Sahara cement. This volume gives us 20 cubic meters, or 20,000 liters. We can already see that one heavy rain will fill it completely or at least within one week of little rain!!
Also, to bring another thought into the math here, we can, as said before, always build another cistern beside it and couple both together. That effort would result in 40,000 liters to feed our filtration system. At a rate of 500 liters a day, this would cover 80 days, or more than two months of no rain. Or when doubled to two cisterns, plus with a doubled rate of consumptions it would also last for 40 days only. Even in the last El Nino we had some rain in two months.
Just imaging that 20,000 liters of rain in the pabo area have a weight of 1 kg per liter, which results in a total weight of 20 tons of water.
Cost Calculations:
Hallow Blocks, HB.
In a 2 meters high cistern we need 2.0 m / 0.2 meters = 10 layer or piles. One layer is 4.0 m time two, plus 2.5 m times two = 13 meters. All hallow blocks needed are 10 layers times 13 meters divided by 0.4 meters (the length of one HB) = 325 HB. Since we will use TWO walls due to the enormous water pressure we will time two the HBs. These are 650 HB, add 5% for breakage = 680 HB at 12 pesos a piece (Bukidnon delivered 2025) = 8,160 PHP.
Rebar, or 10 mm
Since we put a vertical 10 mm every 40 cm in the wall, we have 13 m / 0.4 +1 = 33.5 x 2 meters vertical height = 67 meters vertical rebars = 11 pieces at 145 pesos = 1,600 PHP.
Each layer will get a horizontal rebar with an overlapping of 6 times 20 cm each. These are 2 full length at 6 m each plus 1.2 m overlap = 13.2 m times 10 layers =132 meters. These are 132 / 6 m = 22 pieces of rebar 10 mm = 3,200 PHP.
We time this by four due to the fact that we have two instead of one wall, doubled up wall, and the chambers will be filled with mortar. Plus finishing. 16 sacks of cement at 217 PhP each = 3,500 PhP
2 tons of coarse sand screened sand. We still have more than enough. But a load of 17 cubic meters is about 20,000 PhP
Labor is calculated as
Digging 2 MD
Piling 3 MD
Rebar and filling 1 MD
Finishing 3 MD
Pipe Install 1 MD
Total of 10 Man Days, add two, one week total = 6,000 PhP for two guys
Roofing Material
Bamboo
The collector roof will have 21 meters length divided by 3 meter distance per posts plus one = 8 posts. This makes 16 posts in total plus 8 rafters with 1 meters overlapping on each end. The rows are 5 meters apart. Rafters are about 7 meters long. Needed cement are 3 sacks at 3 x 217 PhP = 650 PHP
Roofing sheets
21 meters divided by 75 cm of useable coverage width = 28 sheets per length. We need three rows of them. 28 x 3 = 84 sheets at 180 PhP (Bukidnon 2025) = 15,120 PhP
Labour
One week, two guys = 6,000 PhP
Conclusion:
Total Material costs are 32,500 PhP
Total Labor costs are 12,000 PhP
Total Costs are about 40,000 PhP
Recovering of invested capital
At the today’s rate of usage, 40,000 PhP / 400 PhP = 100 months, but when goats and pigs and swimming pools join the entertainment we cut it down to 40 or 50 months. Plus the advantage is independence from systems that are not working as they should.
