Sat, 02 May 2026 05:13:50 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9290#Comment_9290 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9290#Comment_9290 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:26:41 +0000 davidnettleton My company builds swimming ponds and our structural walls are often made of the usual reinforced hollow blockwork. Where the pools become very big and the shape is very freeform and 'pond-like' it seems a little overboard working like this, especially if the soil is quite hard and cohesive. Gabion walls must be a good option if their is a lot of hardcore onsite, or crushed rock available locally if there are aesthetic concerns. I have considered many of the modular precast systems. One of the best ideas seems to be precast concrete L- blocks, which are very quick to assemble and good for walls with curvature, but use a lot of heavy machinery and are still made of concrete.There must be some clever systems using the soil itself, such as filling recycled tyres, however the surface of such a wall is very irregular. Can anyone help build a clear picture of the current tried and tested options?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9295#Comment_9295 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9295#Comment_9295 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:21:13 +0000 jon
The simplest low embodied method would probably be to create pools using the natural slope of the ground (ie less than 30 degrees for non cohesive soils), and to create effective vertical surfaces using timber boarding on stilts (or floating perimeters) with vertical sides perhaps of a long life mesh.

Where are you located?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9306#Comment_9306 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9306#Comment_9306 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:01:10 +0000 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9339#Comment_9339 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9339#Comment_9339 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:29:16 +0000 Bluemoon
Springs coming up from underneath were always a problem, some sections are now reinforced concrete trough shaped.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9633#Comment_9633 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9633#Comment_9633 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:47:36 +0000 davidnettleton Natural swimming pools can be used as a reservoir, and never have to be refilled. They also offer the benefits of habitat creation. We are looking into ways of filling them using other sources other than via the mains. On what grounds is the CfSH anti-swimming pools? use of mains water? Do you not think natural swimming pools are very different?
Thanks for the ideas, what exactly did you mean by stilts/floating perimeters?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9638#Comment_9638 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9638#Comment_9638 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:25:20 +0000 jon
Yes, purely conservation of water: Section 2. If other sources then easier but then you have a problem with contaminants.

Stilts and/or floating perimeters are walkable surfaces created over water to allow the pond (more precisely the earth around the pond) to have a natural shape: The walkable surfaces at the perimeter would create the illusion of a formed pool.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9725#Comment_9725 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=859&Focus=9725#Comment_9725 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 15:57:10 +0000 davidnettleton
Water again - boreholes are an option as is filtered grey water. However, a simple design alteratioon makes a natural swimming pool a huge reservoir of water for year round hose pipe use and can be refilled by winter rain.....just leaving the initial fill to cope with

thanks Jon]]>