Building the Otzar – form and structure
Once the floor was prepped for the otzar, the next step was to build the structure and form. The structural reinforcing steel on the walls was made a double layer to support the weight of the internal water pressure. The otzar will have the capacity to hold 2,100 gallons of water when it’s done; that’s a lot of water pressure! The walls will be a foot thick and contain a reinforcing fibermesh additive, as well, to add strength.
The order of construction is this: First they build the floor rebar grid. Then they build the two side outer form walls, so that the two side rebar wall grids will have something to lean against. Then they build the far wall and two side walls of rebar grid. Then they build the inner form. Then they roll the inner form into place and secure it to the outer form. Then they build the last wall of rebar grid, and then they build the last outer form wall.
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The floor grid of rebar laid, tied, and suspended on cinderblocks.
Two of the three outer form walls. The far side of the otzar will be built directly against the outer wall of the building, and the closer form wall will be built after the inner form wall gets rolled into place!
The three walls of rebar grid.
Close up of the double grids of rebar, held apart temporarily by green "chairs".