Starting my 40'x60' Pole Barn

[ace10]

Even with the pictures and all the descriptions, I'm still lost on what the retaining wall is doing.

Is it the outside of what will become a form?

 

[captjohn]

These are pictures from the builder's website. It's not my building but maybe it will explain the foundation. One picture has a carport so the top 2x6 doesn't go all the way around like mine will. The inside of the plywood, the smooth side will have the dirt dug out 18" wide and down to the natural ground then have all the concrete poured against it up to the top of the 2x6 on top of the form. The bottom of the metal will be screwed to that 2x6. When the concrete is poured and set, the forms come off and that's it.

 

[wmonroe]

Interesting build, they do it different around where I'm at but I enjoy learning new ways. Keep the pics coming.

 

[EddieWalker]

Looking at the pictures from the builders website brings up a really big concern. On that building, it looks like he is using a single 2x6 attached to the side of the posts to support the load of the roof trusses. Maybe it's a single 2x8. Either way, this is wrong and something to make sure he doesn't do on your building.

Cost of lumber is pretty cheap and the savings by cutting this one critical area is both foolish and incompetent. The top purlin is also a header and it carries the weight of the roof. The center of that span is the weakest point on the wall and it will lead to sagging, cracking, movement and eventually failure. How long depends on the weather, soil movement and luck.

How are they being held in place?

That top board should be at least a doubled up 2x10 and if it was mine, I would use two 2x12s glued together with liquid nails. I would notch the tops of the posts to carry both boards and then add a 2x6 to the outside to be the purlin. Then I would bolt it all together.

Eddie

 

[BitChin1]

That top board should be at least a doubled up 2x10 and if it was mine, I would use two 2x12s glued together with liquid nails. I would notch the tops of the posts to carry both boards and then add a 2x6 to the outside to be the purlin. Then I would bolt it all together.

Eddie[/QUOTE]

Eddie in his 2nd post he did state "Top double band will be bolted", but did not state the lumber size.

I like your approach - no reason not to strongly build this detail given the minimal cost of lumber vs overall project cost!

 

[wmonroe]

Double post.

 

[wmonroe]

Eddie that's a good catch, when I looked at the pictures I was focused on the concrete and didn't even notice the undersized board supporting the trusses. When I had my 40x60 built they used two 2x10 lvl beams to support the trusses, they are an actual 2"x10".

 

[captjohn]

Top band is double 2x10's notched and bolted to posts. Trusses are screwed and hurricane strapped to the bands. Even the hurricane straps are screwed. I added another picture of one of his recent jobs framing.

 

[captjohn]

Here's some pictures of the footing's being dug for the ones with questions. They're going to knock out the dirt behind the posts, clean up the footings and clean off the forms just before the pour. Hoping to pour Friday.

 

[captjohn]

Here's an update on my barn. Framing is almost complete. Still need some wind bracing and loose ends done today. I'll add pictures of the top beam and shelter details next. The pic of the back of the barn shows the forms pulled down revealing the concrete footing. Still needs to be cleaned up.