groundbed design

Ahh ... at last, a subject I know a bit about! Proper groundbed design has three major factors that are important. First off, make sure there are no rocks, sticks or other debris directly beneath the groundbed. These will wreck havoc with your back. Even the slightest bits of foreign matter will be amplified. Consider the experiments that were done some years ago involving a single pea.

Another issue to consider is to have the head of your groundbed pointing uphill. Just a minor elevation in the opposite direction will likely cause a headache in the morning as blood is urged toward your head.

Lastly... drainage. It was once suggested that a trench be dug completely encircling your groundbed. But a more eco-friendly method has been in use lately, and that is simply not setting up in any areas that may collect water, i.e. depressions or lowland. A slight slope is always best in this case. For this you will want to refer back to suggestion #2.

I hope this helps!

PS: If the need for a groundbed is the result of the wife kicking you out of the bedroom, then there is a whole different set of rules for groundbed design; as these types will likely involve hardwood or carpeted floors ... or in extreme cases, the sharing of sleeping quarters with the family canine.

You're asking a question, the difficulty of which you cannot begin to comprehend...!

Follow this link, and either take the first 3 classes to become a Cathodic Protection Technologist ... or purchase all of the associated / periferal materials and read, read, read ~ http://www.nace.org/nace/content/education/Certification/cp/CPIndex.asp

Then you will at least REALLY know where to start... (Take #4 and you'll be a "Pro"!)

[I passed the first 2 courses, but miserably failed the third level as I had been, and was ill throughout the course. "Wish-me-luck" on the next attempt!]

If you don't have time to take the courses, hire a certified professional to survey the job site, perform the soil resistivity measurements throughout the depths, determine the structure's current demand, calculate the number and size of anodes needed and their respective carbonaceous backfills, etc. etc. etc. etc...

If you ask for help on "just the things you know about", you will CERTAINLY overlook something of DRASTIC importance!

Best Regards ~