Best way to set post for a pole barn/shelterhouse?

[willy1947]

How does everyone recommend setting the 4x6 post for a pole barn/shelterhouse?

I think I will do what the Amish said, but I wanted to hear what everyone else does too. They said dig a hole 40" deep, pour in one bag of quickcrete, set the pole on it, and pour a second bag around the pole. Then fill in with dirt and the ground moisture will do the rest.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[cowboydoc]

I would go at least 48" deep and put a concrete pad in the bottom of the hole for the post to sit and prevent any movement of the pole. Tamp, tamp, tamp, and a bag of concrete isn't a bad idea. It will setup on it's own but I like the idea of a solid concrete pad to start with instead of the throwing a bag in the bottom of the hole.

 

[Fireman_dcb]

We had a 40'x60' pole barn built 3 years ago - the builder made his own concrete discs (4" thick and 12" in diameter) by using a cardboard mold that he cut into pieces - he would make about 12 at a clip. He dropped one at the bottom of into each hole. Each hole was 4' deep.

 

[SPIKER]

I've heard of the bag in the bottom pretty common on fence posts and such... BUT I've also heard the this is a poor thing to do as the concrete bag mix does not set evenly and it will be no better than setting the post on gravel. they make concrete pads made specifically for this mine were 12" thick by about 18" across. set post on them and bang the post about 3 times to SET the pad flat. then level post and back fill with dirt/clay and sand mixture. tamp them only AFTER the poles are locked in place with framing and I left mine set for aobut 6 months then tampped them and got aobut 6" depth oater tamping. left it low like that and will crete around the posts after installing some 1/2" styro around the posts so crete does not contact the post at all. I won't be washing water into posts but was told by amish builder this is best way, (he built mine) and studies prove crete on the post will cause rott so that is way I'm going. hopping to crete the floor this august.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rmorgan]

Willy--

The guys who built my pole barn used exactly the method you describe. So far, it's standing. When you do things the way the Amish do, you sure don't want to have to do it twice!!

 

[cowboydoc]

<font color="red">I've also heard the this is a poor thing to do as the concrete bag mix does not set evenly and it will be no better than setting the post on grave </font>

I used to think the same thing. This spring we built a 100' onto our barn and had to take out one end wall. When we pulled the posts out, with an excavator, sure enough the concrete had set up around the posts just like you'd mixed it up.

 

[willy1947]

I'll probably try to add some water and let it set up before I set the pole. I've always heard mother earth will take care of it, but I want to make sure to get a good mix.

thanks for the input.
Dave /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif