Foundation types?

[MarkV]

Unless I am reading this wrong we are talking about two different types of foundations here. I think Egon is talking about concrete piers that would tie into a concrete grade beam that is all tied together with rebar and poured at one time. That is a fine foundation system if the OP plans to stick build the barn. I think he is talking about a pole barn that does not require a continues foundation to build off of.

If this is a pole barn construction I do not like the post being set on top of sonotubes. Much of the strength of a pole structure comes from the resistance of the earth around those poles 4' in the ground. It prevents up lift from wind forces and helps with lateral support. Metal sided builds, without sheathing, do not have much lateral support. By setting the post on top of concrete piers,even with the proper brackets, you create a hinge point. It can be done but you will need much more bracing for lateral support and I personally would not do it without sheathing the building.

As far a poles in the ground rotting. There are thousands of these types of building around and with proper drainage will be around long after most of us. It is also common to pour a slab in a pole building after the building is up.

MarkV

 

[jinmared]

I had a 40 by 60 foot foundation poured for my steel building. The foundation is called a monolithic slab where the foundation walls and the floor are poured at the same time.
I had to go 24 inches deep to get below the frost line and poured a 5 inch floor. I used lots of rebar in the foundation walls and the floor.