THE SOLARTRON PREFABRICATED EARTH-SHELTERED HOME

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Of course, the individual "Solartron" panels are not made up of fiberglass alone. Instead, a section A 5/8" construction-grade plywood that measures 8' X 9'4"?is "framed out" with 2 X 6's ... which are glued and nailed on 16" centers and also fastened around the board's perimeter. Then the entire assembly is laminated with Hetron 92 FS (a fire-retardant resin) and covered with layers of fiberglass and resin-alternately till a panel thickness of 7-1/8" is eventually achieved. Finally, a fine-mesh 'glass veil is laminated to the exterior of the wall ... to guarantee a virtually waterproof outside surface.

"BUILDING BLOCK" CONSTRUCTION

Because the wall components only weigh 300 pounds apiece (and the larger roof sections 500 pounds), each Individual segment is a real featherweight when compared to its concrete counterpart. And—due to the fact that the panels are designed to interlock (through the use of tongue-and-groove or shiplap joints)—the standard 1,231-square-foot (exterior dimensions) home shown here can be constructed in about eight hours by an experienced work crew ... once the excavation is finished and the foundation footings are laid.

To assure full water-resistance, the roof sections are "glued" to the upper edges of the walls with a bead of pliable silicone sealant, and the completed "cube" is covered with a solid piece of heavy-duty, 6-mil plastic sheeting. Next, round river rocks?3/4" to 1-1/2" in diameter—are poured over the entire structure—to a depth of two feet on the sides and four inches on the roof creating a "drainage layer". In addition, the roof is convex (to shed seepage and prevent the accumulation of standing water), and a network of drains is installed around the building's foundation.

Finally, a layer of earth—between two and three feet thick—is placed on top of the fiberglass "box", and-if the dwelling is only partially underground—additional soil is bermed up against any protruding portion of its walls (with the exception of the front of the house, which is fully exposed). Once this is done, grass and shrubbery can be planted over the entire earthen cover to stabilize the soil and add aesthetic appeal to the residence.

THE TEST OF STRENGTH

Naturally, one of the most important concerns in any subterranean house is structural strength. After all, statistics show that three feet of soil when covered with a foot of snow will exert 360 pounds per square foot of pressure on the surface below.

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