Farmers Build Barn Approaches of Concrete
For purposes of drainage, concrete barns are often built on the side of a hill, the lower story being used for the livestock, while the second floor is used as a wagon house and for feed and storage. This arrangement necessitates a “barn approach.” Originally these approaches were simply of earth, piled up in front of the door; and quite often the earth extended beyond the ends of the barn.
By not allowing the approach fill to come right up to the barn, the lower story of the barn receives the full benefit of light and ventilation on all four sides.
The concrete bridge gives a shelter for wagons and tools; while a root cellar may be conveniently built under the barn approach.
Such an approach adds greatly to the appearance of the barn and its surroundings.
Economy of space made it desirable to provide a retaining wall to hold the earth in position—and concrete naturally came into use for the purpose.
The earth fill already in place in front of the barn door should be cut out to the desired width and a trench dug along both sides below the ground level to a depth of 2½ or 3 feet, and 1 foot wide.
Only outside forms are needed, as the earth fill in the barn approach acts as an inside form. These outside forms may be made up in sections as large as desired, of 1-inch planks, with the necessary upright studding.
Mix concrete 1: 2: 4.
Place the concrete in the foundation, erect the forms, holding these in position by nailing to stakes driven back of the forms in the ground. The concrete can be placed with greatest convenience from the top of the earth fill that forms the approach. In shoveling into the form, be careful that the concrete strikes the wood form instead of the earthen side, as concrete mixed with earth does not give the fullest possible strength.