Daniel
Potter
Eagle Project
Present Condition:
Presently, there is a very clear trail in place of about six feet in
width. It runs alongside a medium size pond and through the woods
behind East Chapel Hill High School The trail is located at one of the
lowest areas in the surrounding region, and because of its proximity to
the pond it stays wet all year round. After even the slightest amount
of rain, a small creak forms on the hill above the trail and runs
across the trail into the pond. At the point where this small stream
crosses the trail, it has been repeatedly washed out and eroded so that
currently a large and deep puddle w*t an uneven bottom forms after
every rain. I~his swampy area is approximately 15 feet long and spans
the width of the trail.
Method:
My plan calls for the repair of the problematic area and the
installation of a boardwalk type of bridge to insure the safety of all
trail users. In order to repair the problem area of the trail, a
drainage ditch would first be dug in order to allow the creek that
forms above the trail to have a channeled path so that it will no
longer spread all over the trail and stagnate as it currently does.
Gravel and drainage pipe m11 be laid in this ditch in order to further
facilitate drainage, and the ditch will run all the way to the edge of
the pond so that the water has someplace to go. The leftover dirt from
the digging of this ditch will then be used to fill in the worst of the
ruts and eroded areas on the surrounding parts of the trail. After the
ditch has been dug and gravel and pipe laid, holes for the bridge posts
will then be dug. The posts will1 be leveled and set in concrete in
these holes, with a minimum of six inches of ground clearance from the
ground to the tops of the posts to allow adequate drainage. The
supports for the bridge itself will then be attached with metal deck
joints and nails, and 2x8 boards will be nailed across the supports,
with a quarter of an inch gap between each board to allow for runoff.
Once the bridge has been completed, old shingles will be cut into
strips and nailed to the top surface of the bridge, making it less
likely for people to slip and fall. As a final step, grass will be
planted in the area around the bridge to help control future erosion
and prevent the trail from becoming as badly damaged as it currently is.
Materials and Tools List and Cost
-Gravel- One Ton $20.00
-Lumber
8' 4x4 (pressure treated) $4.97 each x6 = $29.82
12' 2x8 (pressure treated) $10.59 each x12 = $127.08
-Quikrete- 801b Bag $3.64 each x2 = $7.28
-Non-Slip Exterior Paint (one gallon) $22.00
-Corner Reinforcements - $1.27 each x12 = $15.24
-L Post Strap - $1.59 each x12 = $19.08
-Mixing Bucket - $3.00
-String- $2.00
-Nails- $10.00
-Delivery Fee - $55.00
-Waive Tax because it is for non-profit group
Total - $329.13 (w/tax)
Hammers- personal
Tape Measure - personal
Levels - personal
T-Square- personal
Pencils -personal
Wheelbarrows - personal
Shovels - personal
Picks- personal
Circular saw- personal
Rakes - personal
Handsaws- personal
Post-hole digger- personal
Session Plans - The project will be completed in a series of work
sessions, each one lasting approximately two hours and usually taking
place on a weekend afternoon or in the evening from 6pm to 8pm.
Session 1. Stake out area where bridge and ditch will be located
Jobs- l staking l supervisor
Session 2: Start Digging drainage ditch and Filling in Eroded Areas
Jobs- 4 digging 2 hauling dirt away to other eroded area l Safety
manager and Supervisor
Materials - Shovels, picks, wheelbarrows
Session 3: Finish Digging Ditch and Filling in Eroded areas
Jobs- same as previous session
Materials - Same as previous session
Session 4: ~ Gravel and Piping
Jobs- 2 Spreading Gravel 2 or more hauling gravel to the site l Safety
manager and supervisor
Materials- Wheelbarrows, shovels, gravel plastic drainage pipe
Session 5: Digging Holes for Bridge Posts
Jobs- 3 Digging l Supervising
Materials - Shovel Post-Hole Diggers
Session 6: Installing and Leveling Bridge Posts
Jobs - 2 placing and holding posts vertical and level 2 leveling tops
of posts 2 filling in with gravel, dirt, Quikrete l supervising
Materials- cut 4x4, gravel/dirt/cement; shovels, string, levels
Session 7: Cutting Lumber and Prepping Bridge Materials
Jabs - 2 Measuring and clearly marking lumber 2 using handsaws to cut
2x8 2 using circular saw to cut 4x4 l Safety Supervisor I Work
supervisor
Materials - Lumber, saws, circular saw, tape measures, pencils
Session 8: Installing Support Beams
Jobs- 2 leveling beams 2 holding and nailing 1 supervising
Materials- cut 4x4, nails, hammer, string, levels
Session 9 Measure for and Cutting Planks to length
Jobs- 2 measuring and marking 2 operating circular saw 1 safety
supervisor 1 general supervisor
Materials - Circular saw, handsaws, measuring tape, T-Square, pencils
Session 10: Nailing Planks
Jobs - 2 measuring and marking where planks should go 2 or more holding
and nailing planks 1 Supervisor
Materials- Cut Planks, nails, measuring tape, pencils, hammers
Session 11: Finishing Touches - planting, nailing non-slip surface
Jobs - 2 tilling soil and spreading grass seed 2 nailing non-slip
surface 1 supervising
Materials - Rakes and picks, nails, hammers, non-slip surfacing
The use of picks and shovels in a confined area can be dangerous to
both those who are digging as well as others who are nearby.
This issue is addressed by having a supervisor as well as someone who
is a safety supervisor during each work session to ensure that
accidents do not occur.
-The use handsaws as well as a circular saw for cutting the lumber.
All scouts using such equipment will be required to know how to safely
use it, wear safety glasses, and wear sturdy work gloves while working.
In addition, two adults will be present at all times during the days
when the lumber is being measured and cut. Those who am working on the
project will be given plenty of space and a safety supervisor and
general supervisor will also be present on such days. A first-aid kit
will be kept at the work area at at least and at least two other scouts
or adults will be trained in emergency response CPR and first-aid.
Project Helpers:
There are two main groups that I will call upon to serve as workers for
the trail and to help in the construction of the bridge itself. The
first of these helpers are the other scouts in my Troop who would be
willing to come out and work for two hours per session on the project.
It is not necessary that any one person come to every single work
session, and it will be easier on the other scouts if they rotate who
comes during which weeks. I plan to implement a sign-up sheet where
they can sign up for as many sessions as they choose.
The other group that will be able to help is the East Chapel Hill High
School Cross Country team. They would be an ideal group to recruit
because not only does the project directly benefit the team, but
students at the High School are required to earn at least 50 hours of
community service in order to graduate. My project will provide them
with an excellent opportunity to earn a portion of the needed hours I
have already spoken to the coach and with a few of the team members who
have said that they would be willing to help and they have been
encouraging as to the help that the team as a group could
provide. This gave me the idea to divide the work sessions into Scout
days and Cross Country team days, which would lessen the overall burden
of each group, while still providing plenty of people to help on the
project every week
Bridge Plan
Materials: 4x4 - 48 feet (pressure treated) 2x4 2x8 - 144 feet Non-Slip
Paint Quikrete for setting posts- 3.64 for an 80 pound bag at Lowes
String Level Nails (galvanized) Hammers Circular Saw/ Handsaws
Measuring Tape Pencils T- Square Post Hole Diggers
Plan:
Measure and Dig all holes
Level and Secure Posts in holes using gravel and Quikrete, string and
level to make sure they are even
Measure on centers and record for cutting the lumber
Cut the lumber at my house during one work session
Install support 4x4s
Measure and mark-off where the edges of the boards will go, leaving a
1/4 inch gap between each one
Nail facing boards on either end
Nail the planks in place
Paint non-slip paint onto the boards
Build up dirt ramp for a maximum step up of 6"
Date Planning Time
4/23/2002 Talking to Justus 1 hour
4/24/2002 Writing up ,basic p,an 45 min
4/28/2002 Photographing and revising plan 1 hour
4/28t2002 Discussing Idea with Scoutmaster 30 min
4/30/2002 working on weekly plans and materials 2
hours
5/1/2002 working on weekly plans and materials 30 min
5/18/2002 working on weekly plans and materials 1 hour
5/18t2002 diagramming ,bridge plan 1 hour
5/19/2002 pricing materials, writing up price lists 1
hour
5/27/2002 getting approval, making changes with Mr
Painter 30 min
5J30/2002 approval from Bryan Tilden 1
hour Total 10.25 hours
Construction
6/5/2002 Staking out and marking off bridge and
drainage 1 hour
6/9/2002 Digging drainage ditch and filling eroded
areas 2 hours
6/9/2002 Purchasing Drainage Pipe 30 min
6/10/2002 Laying gravel, digging post holes 3 hours
6/10/2002 Purchasing Lumber 1 hour
6/10!2002 Purchasing Gravel 1 hour
6/10J2002 Digging Post Holes 90 min
6/11/2002 Post Holes, Measuring for Posts, Cutting
Posts 2.5 hours
6/11/2002 Purchasing Lumber, Cement, Trowel, String 1
hour
6/11/2002 Setting Post Holes in Cement 2.5 hours
6/12/2002 Buying Lumber 1.5 hours
6/12/2002 Buying Nails and Extra Supports, cinder
blocks 30 min
6/12/2002 Building Frame 1 hour
6/12/2002 Laying planks 1.5 hours
6/13/2002 Finishing touches, painting 2.5 hours
6/13/2002 Purchasing lumber for stairs 1 hour
6/13/2002 Building stairs, repainting boardwalk 3 hours Total 27 hours
Date Worker Time Worked Description
6/5/2002 Austin Painter 2 hours
Clearing and marking area
6/9/2002 Ben Abram 2 hours Digging
Drainage
Mike Potter 2.5 hours Digging
Drainage, Purchasing Drainage Pipe
Austin Painter 2 hours Digging
Drainage
Paul Thissen 2 hours Digging
Drainage
6/10/2002 Ben Abram 3.5 hours
Laying gravel, digging post holes
James Morrow 4 hours Purchasing and laying gravel,
digging post holes
Austin Painter 2 hours Digging Post
Holes,Purchasing Lumber
Mike Potter 2 hours Digging Post
Holes
Austin Painter 2 hours Digging Post
Holes
6/11/2002
Paul Thissen 2.5 hours Digging Post
Holes, Measuring For Posts, Cutting Posts
Jesse Cathell 2.5 hours Digging
Post Holes, Measuring For Posts
Austin Painter 2.5 hours Digging
Post Holes' Measuring for Posts
Joe Johnston 2.5 hours Setting
Posts in Cement
David Henke 2.5 hours Setting Posts
in Cement
Jesse Cathell 1 hour Setting Posts
in Cement
Mike Potter 2.5 hours Setting Posts
in Cement
6/12/2002
Paul Thissen 2.5 hours Attaching
Frame
Andrew Hoover 2.5 hours Attaching Frame, Laying Planks
Michael Potter 2 hours Laying Planks
Mike Potter 2.5 hours Attaching
Frame, Laying Planks
Joe Johnston 1 hour Attaching Frame
6/13/2002
Ben Abram 2.5 hours Finishing
Touches, Respreading gravel, painting
Joe Johnston 2.5 hour Finishing
Touches, Respreading gravel, painting
Mike Potter 2.5 hours Building and
attaching stairs
Ben Abram 3 hours Building and
attaching stairs, adding another coat of paint
Andrew Hoover 2.5 hours Respreading gravel, painting
Total: 64 hours
Date Purchase Amount Store
6/9/2002 Drainage Pipe $7.03 Lowes
6/10/2002 Gravel $12.00 Mellot
6/10/2002 48' of 4x4, Metal Joints, Nails, Cement,
etc. $67.09 Lowes
6/11/2002 Concrete, Nails $25.45
Lowes
6112/202 144' of 2x8 $114.64 Lowes
6/12/2002 Paint and Bushes $24.32
Lowes
6/12/2002 Lumber, Cinder Blocks
$28.12 Lowes
6/12/2002 Nails $8.38, Lowes
6/132002 Two 2x12's, one 2x8 $40.20 Lowes
6/13/2002 Return of extra brackets and and nails Lowes
Total $304.39
Changes
At many of the sessions, I had to use fewer workers than my plan called
for because many scouts and others were either out of town or
unavailable to work since I did the work during the first part of
summer vacation.
The boardwalk was changed to a much straighter line for ease of
construction and measurement. This change did not affect the materials
needed or the cost or time of the project.
A central support beam was added by burying cinder blocks under the
center of the bridge and setting two 2x8 beams across the blocks. The
beams were then nailed to the center of every plank on the walkway in
order to prevent sagging and add to the overall stability of the
structure.
Separate work sessions for cutting the lumber were not necessary
because an employee of the store cut all the lumber when it was
purchased at Lowes in order to save time.
Stairs were built as a change in the plan, which originally called for
a dirt ramp leading up to both sides of the boardwalk. The plan was
changed out of safety and logistical concerns, because in talking with
several cross-country runners, it was decided that a single 2-foot wide
stair at either end would work better and be safer when running than a
dirt hill. Also, not enough dirt was left to build large enough ramps.
Two twelve-foot 2x12's and one eight-foot 2x8 were purchased to build
the stairs at a cost of $40.20. The project did remain under the
projected cost however because the delivery fee was waived as was tax
on the purchases since they were for a non-profit service project.
"Before" Photographs
"After" Photographs
