Construction of Laminated posts for Pole Barn

[BlueKnife]

I plan to build next year. My plan is a variation of the Perma Column footer using a section of W 4x13 beam (H beam).

I will weld a few pieces of 1/2” steel rod across the beam near the bottom so the concrete has something to wrap around and hold. At the top will be a bolt plate with two holes to secure the bracket for attaching the wood post like a standard Perma Column.

This assembly be sandblasted and coated with three layers of epoxy prime.

With this design there is no need to completely fill the footer hole. Having concrete 4” above and 4” below the horizontal steel rods will be enough. A small capacity mixer is all that is needed.

That'd probably work too. It'd take far longer and be a lot more expensive than concrete piers though. Wouldn't last as long either, since you'd have steel in the ground against dirt or gravel. There's a reason that the steel frames of commercial buildings are bolted to, not embedded in concrete in the ground.

 

[threepiece]

That might work. Seems like more effort than using adhesive though. Adhesive works great.

The motivation for the steel banding idea was to reduce effort and possibly cost. It seems less effort to apply six or eight steel bands to an assembly already secured with nails than depositing two or more beads of adhesive along both sides of a board, then having to align and clamp them.

Another concern for me is the chemistry surrounding adhesives. There is certainly a science behind chemical bonding that I am not privy to. The type of adhesive, the method it is used and moisture content of the wood are some considerations. I am much more comfortable with mechanical connections.

 

[BlueKnife]

The motivation for the steel banding idea was to reduce effort and possibly cost. It seems less effort to apply six or eight steel bands to an assembly already secured with nails than depositing two or more beads of adhesive along both sides of a board, then having to align and clamp them.

Another concern for me is the chemistry surrounding adhesives. There is certainly a science behind chemical bonding that I am not privy to. The type of adhesive, the method it is used and moisture content of the wood are some considerations. I am much more comfortable with mechanical connections.

Using adhesive is easy, secure and quick. Far quicker than fastening multiple steel bands. You'd also have significantly better shear strength and stiffness with glue than with bands. I use standard construction adhesive for these posts. I've torn out plywood sub-floors that were glued down to the joists with the same stuff and it's every bit as strong as the wood that it's fastening together. In many cases, the joist would split in half before the plywood would come unglued from the joist. Adhesive would probably be a bit more expensive than bands, assuming you already have the banding tool. If you have to buy that then the bands would more than likely be more expensive.

 

[threepiece]

That'd probably work too. It'd take far longer and be a lot more expensive than concrete piers though. Wouldn't last as long either, since you'd have steel in the ground against dirt or gravel. There's a reason that the steel frames of commercial buildings are bolted to, not embedded in concrete in the ground.

Well, it won’t be expensive for me as I already have the materials purchased at .20 cents per pound at the scrap yard. In fact I have 8 of the 12 footers done from a previous job.

The epoxy coating will protect the metal from corrosion. When properly applied there will be no chance of contact with earth for who knows how long. When the epoxy lets go it will take several more years/decades for the steel to go.

 

[BlueKnife]

Well, it won’t be expensive for me as I already have the materials purchased at .20 cents per pound at the scrap yard. In fact I have 8 of the 12 footers done from a previous job.

The epoxy coating will protect the metal from corrosion. When properly applied there will be no chance of contact with earth for who knows how long. When the epoxy lets go it will take several more years/decades for the steel to go.

It'll be unique at least, that's for sure.