Piecing 6" x 6" together ... - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

casey344 · 01-30-2009, 11:03 AM

Is there a code to follow when piecing 6" x 6" treated posts together for extending their length? I need 26' and can only find 20's. Can this be done and stay within code?

What re-enforcement have you used to ensure a lasting connection?

neolitic · 01-30-2009, 11:19 AM

Depends on what you
are doing with it?

casey344 · 01-30-2009, 11:29 AM

Supporting a 10' x 12' patio. Three pilings on land, three not.

neolitic · 01-30-2009, 11:34 AM

You're outta my league there.
Dutchmen are good in compression,
Lateral movement requires
pretty careful bracing.
This would be a good place to get
an engineer involved.
Of course for his money you could
order in the right length.

casey344 · 01-30-2009, 11:47 AM

Maybe a bit presumptuous on my part but this 10 year old deck must have passed some kind of final inspection.

Gold Tie · 01-30-2009, 11:56 AM

The splice looks good to me but I don't know I would trust that without the bracing neo suggested. I'm not sure what the code would be. The only thing that comes to mind is fabbing a sleeve over it.

curapa · 01-30-2009, 12:10 PM

I would check with your supplier, you can get 6x6 posts in lengths longer than 20', special order.

mickeyco · 01-30-2009, 12:46 PM

You would probably have to go up to 8 x 8 for that length, you can get 6 x 6's that length. The joint you illustrated above are used all the time but with an angle cut in, then bolted, sometimes with plates. I doubt an inspector would accept the joint without an engineers stamp. You might think about going with steel and/or having an engineer drawing a detail.

.

Stone Mountain · 01-30-2009, 01:02 PM

what about building the concrete piers up to 6' above grade and then using the 20 footers?
The pier would likely be 16"-18" in diameter and be at least 6' below grade, with rebar inside, but would give you the length and base stability.
Regardless, I wouldn't even think about that job without an engineer designing the thing.

s. donato · 01-30-2009, 02:15 PM

i remember seeing an article about using PVC pipes & concrete. i don't know if filling a pvc pipe with concrete and rebar. would pass either at that height.

otherwise i like mickey's suggestion.
but like the others said you will need an engineer on that one.

casey344 · 01-30-2009, 02:18 PM

I sent an email off to an engineer friend of mine ... I should have an answer soon. Forgot all about him until someone here mentioned it ... I will post my findings.

neolitic · 01-30-2009, 02:27 PM

That whole water thing,
wave action, boats to bump,
(around here) ice heave....
The engineer would make me
more comfortable for sure.

Like Mickey said, 8X8 would
have been the first choice.

casey344 · 02-06-2009, 04:01 PM

From engineer:

"Splice looks good should be at least 2' long with 4-6 1/2" through bolts."

maceycon · 02-06-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeyco

You would probably have to go up to 8 x 8 for that length, you can get 6 x 6's that length. The joint you illustrated above are used all the time but with an angle cut in, then bolted, sometimes with plates. I doubt an inspector would accept the joint without an engineers stamp. You might think about going with steel and/or having an engineer drawing a detail.

.

I agree with your method. Its usually used to repair post when the bottom rots outs. Its a pretty solid splice. To replace a couple feet of a post. I would never expect it to be used as a 26'.

SLSTech · 02-06-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casey344

From engineer:

"Splice looks good should be at least 2' long with 4-6 1/2" through bolts."

FYI - they are called scarf joints

Did your engineer slap a stamp on a piece of paper with the design? If not its simply a non binding opinion on a small section & you hold all the liability --- Just my .02

casey344 · 02-06-2009, 05:13 PM

Yes, the county where the dock is located is the only county on this lake requiring engineered drawings.

Tom (engineer) did the drawings for this particular job and he is creating an amendment for me to submit which will include his stamp.

SLSTech · 02-06-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casey344

Yes, the county where the dock is located is the only county on this lake requiring engineered drawings.

Tom (engineer) did the drawings for this particular job and he is creating an amendment for me to submit which will include his stamp.

- now don't forget we like pics

mickeyco · 02-06-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLSTech

FYI - they are called scarf joints

Wouldn't it be a half lap, scarfed, splice.

I'm still thinking 8 x 8, I believe you're exceeding the allowable height for a 6 x 6 without bracing, an engineers stamp might get you around it, I wouldn't do it.

.

s. donato · 02-06-2009, 05:40 PM

SS through bolts?

casey344 · 02-06-2009, 05:56 PM

Hadn't considered that yet ... we had been using 5/8" hot dipped galvanized.