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This sun tunnel (or solar tube) has a night light feature that is powered by a small solar panel on the roof.

This sun tunnel (or solar tube) has a night light feature that is powered by a small solar panel on the roof.
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This Texas homes uses a slab foundation including a 4-in.-thick post-tensioned monolithic slab with turned-down edges poured over a 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier and capillary break; slab edge insulation is not used due to termite risk.

This Texas homes uses a slab foundation including a 4-in.-thick post-tensioned monolithic slab with turned-down edges poured over a 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier and capillary break; slab edge insulation is not used due to termite risk.
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This wood-framed wall is connected with framing anchors, metal strapping and ties, and anchor bolts to secure the roof to the walls and walls to the foundation

This wood-framed wall is connected with framing anchors, metal strapping and ties, and anchor bolts to secure the roof to the walls and walls to the foundation
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Three different anchoring methods are shown for making the home more resistant to getting moved off its foundation in an earthquake.

Three different anchoring methods are shown for making the home more resistant to getting moved off its foundation in an earthquake.
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Three types of foundation walls: Stem-plus-wood stud cripple wall, reinforced concrete wall, and reinforced concrete block/masonry wall

Three types of foundation walls: Stem-plus-wood stud cripple wall, reinforced concrete wall, and reinforced concrete block/masonry wall
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To control surface water, the land should slope away from the building on all sides

To control surface water, the land should slope away from the building on all sides
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To handle the high water table on this lot, the builder installed underground drain pipe to french drains for slow dispersal of storm runoff, then set the floor joists on steel framing set 4 ft above grade on 35-foot-deep piers.

To handle the high water table on this lot, the builder installed underground drain pipe to french drains for slow dispersal of storm runoff, then set the floor joists on steel framing set 4 ft above grade on 35-foot-deep piers.
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To help keep the monolithic slab-on-grade foundation dry, the site’s surfaces is graded away from the structure, the slab is poured on a bed of gravel, and using a vapor barrier will separate the foundation from the sill plates.

To help keep the monolithic slab-on-grade foundation dry, the site’s surfaces is graded away from the structure, the slab is poured on a bed of gravel, and using a vapor barrier will separate the foundation from the sill plates.
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To increase a masonry-walled home’s resistance to seismic forces, solid wood blocking is added between the roof rafters, anchors are added to connect the brick wall to the rafters and floor joists, building diaphragms are added, foundation braced

To increase a masonry-walled home’s resistance to seismic forces, solid wood blocking is added between the roof rafters, anchors are added to connect the brick wall to the rafters and floor joists, building diaphragms are added, foundation braced
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To remove an old can light from its housing, squeeze the two metal spring clips located on each side of the can to disconnect it from the permanent housing

To remove an old can light from its housing, squeeze the two metal spring clips located on each side of the can to disconnect it from the permanent housing
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Traditional methods of site drainage, such as site grading, can be difficult to achieve on urban sites.

Traditional methods of site drainage, such as site grading, can be difficult to achieve on urban sites.
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Trapezoid swale design

Trapezoid swale design
CAD File:

Turned down concrete slab - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation

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Turned down concrete slab - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation
CAD File:

Turned down concrete slab - 1 inch rigid insulation

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Turned down concrete slab - 1 inch rigid insulation
CAD File:

Turned down concrete slab - 3/4 inch rigid insulation

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Turned down concrete slab - 3/4 inch rigid insulation
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Two inches (R-10) of rigid foam line the interior of the perimeter footing walls before the post-tensioned slab is poured.

Two inches (R-10) of rigid foam line the interior of the perimeter footing walls before the post-tensioned slab is poured.
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Typical basement foundation and safe room.

Typical basement foundation and safe room.
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Typical lateral load transfer for one- and two- story buildings.

Typical lateral load transfer for one- and two- story buildings.
Video:

UAF Cooperative Extension Service: Radon Mitigation in Super-Insulated Slab

Video:

UMN NorthernSTAR: DOE Building America: Exterior Foundation Insulation

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Untreated lumber has been used on a below-grade wall against masonry

Untreated lumber has been used on a below-grade wall against masonry
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Unvented concrete masonry unit crawl space with exterior insulation - designed for termite resistance in moderately infested areas

Unvented concrete masonry unit crawl space with exterior insulation - designed for termite resistance in moderately infested areas
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Unvented crawl space with interior insulation - designed for termite resistance in heavily infested areas

Unvented crawl space with interior insulation - designed for termite resistance in heavily infested areas
Presentation:

Upgrading Below Grade Spaces

Upgrading Below Grade Spaces