Building Underground: The Design and Construction Handbook for Earth-sheltered Houses

aboveground house allow atrium backfilling basement bentonite block building ceiling cement climate comfort Concrete and Wood conduit constant temperature cooling cost cover cracks dehumidifier depth direct-gain system drain drainage drywall duct Earth Sheltered earth-sheltered engineer exterior insulation feet ferrocement foam foot glazing grade gravel greenhouse heat load heat loss horizontal humidity inches increased installed insulation interior keep layer light masonry material membrane needed particles passive solar pipe placement plastic plumbing posttensioning poured precast prestressed concrete prestressed panels primary storage problem R-value rebar reinforcing require Rodale Press Rodale Press Photo roof secondary storage Shepard house skylight slab slope soil solar chimneys solar energy solar gain solar heat south-facing steel storage mass strength structural summer sunspace surface tension thermal thermal mass thermosiphon thick underground construction Underground Figure underground house Underground Photo usually vent ventilation vertical wall waterproofing window winter wiring woodstove