We are on target to start shooting again in 2022. Its going to be a nice pit.

Phil

Nice!

Shouldn't the blocks be in a bond though, rather than having the joints all lined up vertically?

Like this:

88 88888 88888 88888 888
88888 88888 88888 88888
88 88888 88888 88888 888

Or are they going to be held together some other way?

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!

Just layered out for a test look right now, no mortar applied yet. But actually as it not structural and the enormous weight of the clay is really on the reinforced 5" concrete slab, the sides have in comparison very little stress on them.

Fair enough, and that makes sense. Do people in a mudpit add much side pressure, or is it all still mainly vertical load?

Looks like it will be a fantastic setup, will admit to being just a bit jealous!

Don't be, its a shit load of work. This time is above ground, last one, in ground, filled with water when it rained. It was also in Texas, hot summers but cold winters, now is S. Florida, all year round warm....

if there's sideways pressure, you may need to add reinforcement down the center of the cinderblocks. Or strapping around the top. Or both.

That looks awesome Phil! I too am at least just a little bit jealous. Can't tell you how many times I've made plans for a mud pit, but I've neve managed to live somewhere where it would be feasible.