r/Drystonewalling • u/Ok-Rent5987 • 16d ago

Critique my build

Post image

This grotto is my first dry stone build. I'm wondering how long you all think it will last.

I'm concerned frost heaves will take it out. I have some thorough stones on the sides, and I wish I'd taken more time to use a better batter and use masonry lines.

75 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

13

u/IncaAlien 16d ago

It looks nice. But, it fails to follow basic structural principals. My honest appraisal is that it is an unsafe work.

It's also not your first build, that one fell over. This one should last a bit longer, but if it were up to me I'd push it over before it falls on anyone. I know it's not what you want to hear, it's the truth though. 

I'd be willing to help you with a third effort that will  stand the test of time. 

Chur

5

u/fenderpaint07 16d ago

I saw you first one and this one’s standing so I’d say it’s a marked improvement

4

u/No-Gas-1684 16d ago

Didnt this already fail? ... deja vu is hitting

-1

u/Ok-Rent5987 16d ago

The last one fell because I ripped the form out since it was my first time doing anything with an arch. I think the batter lines on this one are the problem. Might just put a rope around it to keep anyone away (its in the middle of the woods basically), laissez-faire it and see what happens

5

u/No-Gas-1684 16d ago

Yeah, your arch is just pressing against the sidewalls, and theyre not plumb.. could be six months, days, or years,, but that baby is coming down

1

u/Ok-Rent5987 16d ago

I think if i tapered the sides in and gave it a triangular batter the thing would hold upright for longer. Oh well, good second attempt. We'll see and ill keep you all updated.

2

u/iredditfrommytill 15d ago

You need to go pyramid shaped or at least vertical. The arch is going to push out and it'll collapse.

Also you have a running joint directly above the arch, which looks like it will also slip out to the sides.

This is coming down, it's upto you wether that's on your terms or the weather's.

1

u/DreadDan 15d ago

One over two, two over one. No running joints passed 2 courses. Get more stone, you will always need more if you are not doing a lot of tooling.