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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.
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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.