Load Transfer from Porch Columns

14276 Views 78 Replies 20 Participants Last post by EricBrancard, May 6, 2014

TBFGhost

Discussion Starter · May 3, 2014 (Edited)

2

One of my long time clients asked me to come take a look at a porch they want installed. They had a set of plans drawn up...my question is where is the load going from the columns? They appear to just be sitting on the deck surface? Doesn't this present a problem? I also noticed no uplift protection speced out.

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hdavis

· #61 · May 4, 2014

griz said:
Give him a nudge....:whistling:laughing:

Buy some bananas

rrk

· #62 · May 4, 2014

TBFGhost said:
I hope not. My client is not someone you want mad at you....this architect is on a slippery slope.

I hope not also, but I have seen it twice before. Once where he mis-measured a room and the bathroom was 18" too small, mistake was blamed on the painters who were painting at the time of his measuring.

The problem was discovered when the plumber tried to do the rough in.
HO was charged $5000 for new drawings on top of his management fee, and he wasn't the one who found the problem.

Luckily it wasn't one of my customers.

Willin

· #63 · May 4, 2014

2

On the front side, find a way to change the joist layout a little, and add sistered joists only out from the center, so that a pair are under each post.

On the sides, just triple the end joist.

Be sure to use the good Vycor tape atop all framing members before going on with the decking.

And for sure, deck it before going on with the posts.

I would use the Simpson CPTZ post base that knifes up the middle and has the three steel dowel spikes, then clad the 4x4s with 1x cedar. Simpson base here. http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/CPTZ.asp?source=capsbscat

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TBFGhost

Discussion Starter · #64 · May 4, 2014

ScipioAfricanus said:
I think the BCO series is completely the wrong choice for this application.
The lateral loads are around 830 lbs which might be correct but that is only in one direction, the direction parallel to the upward flanges. They are not rated for the other direction as far as I can see.
I think the posts are used as newels for railing also? Maybe not.
Anyway, I would suggest (if it where my deck) penetrating the deck with the posts and land them on the beam. Then blocking in both directions and 1/2" lags top and bottom to really lock them in place both directions.
that will be O.K. for the one set of posts but the others not in line with the beam should have their own footings that they bear on.

Andy.

That is how every porch I have constructed was done. Although I am being told this is fine by other people who who have viewed the plan.

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ScipioAfricanus

· #65 · May 4, 2014

TBFGhost said:
That is how every porch I have constructed was done. Although I am being told this is fine by other people who who have viewed the plan.

It probably is then, I just have not seen it around here and I THINK it might not pass around here but have not done it that way so I don't really know.

Interesting.

Andy.

Reactions: 1

hdavis

· #66 · May 4, 2014

ScipioAfricanus said:
It probably is then, I just have not seen it around here and I THINK it might not pass around here but have not done it that way so I don't really know.

Interesting.

Andy.

Seems unlikely to be OK with seismic rules, but it's allowed around here.

Tom Struble

· #67 · May 4, 2014

3

Techno post:thumbsup:

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Chris G

· #68 · May 5, 2014

I don't know why you are getting so bent out of shape about the drawings. You are just using up your energy. I take it you want to take his drawings, and then add some of your own ideas to make them a bit more structurally sound when it comes time to build. No court outside of Mogadishu would convict you of being in the wrong for that. Just build the f'in porch.

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Calidecks

· #69 · May 5, 2014

Chris G said:
I don't know why you are getting so bent out of shape about the drawings. You are just using up your energy. I take it you want to take his drawings, and then add some of your own ideas to make them a bit more structurally sound when it comes time to build. No court outside of Mogadishu would convict you of being in the wrong for that. Just build the f'in porch.

I actually like it and request that they make the plans as minimal as possible, that way I have a little wiggle room.

Dan_Watson

· #70 · May 5, 2014

Chris G said:
I don't know why you are getting so bent out of shape about the drawings. You are just using up your energy. I take it you want to take his drawings, and then add some of your own ideas to make them a bit more structurally sound when it comes time to build. No court outside of Mogadishu would convict you of being in the wrong for that. Just build the f'in porch.

Except I'm not getting a permit with those plans, and I doubt the op is either.

Minimal with code minimums is fine. But those plans will not pass plan review.

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EricBrancard

· #71 · May 5, 2014

Dan_Watson said:
Except I'm not getting a permit with those plans, and I doubt the op is either.

Minimal with code minimums is fine. But those plans will not pass plan review.

I've received permits for much more complex projects with much less detailed plans. I guess it all depends on locale.

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Dan_Watson

· #72 · May 5, 2014

EricBrancard said:
I've received permits for much more complex projects with much less detailed plans. I guess it all depends on locale.

Exactly.

TBFGhost

Discussion Starter · #73 · May 5, 2014

Chris G said:
I don't know why you are getting so bent out of shape about the drawings. You are just using up your energy. I take it you want to take his drawings, and then add some of your own ideas to make them a bit more structurally sound when it comes time to build. No court outside of Mogadishu would convict you of being in the wrong for that. Just build the f'in porch.

It's two things. It was made clear to the architect that the client wasn't sure what they wanted and were coming to him to help with design work. Then the plans he turned out were pretty bland and void of both structural details and aesthetic. I could have drawn what he drew.

It's all moot now, something must have happened, as I just got an email from my client saying saying they are having it redrawn with more structural and a esthetic details.

greg24k

· #74 · May 5, 2014

If the column is over the girder, solid blocking should be done between the joist under the post.

When location of columns along the joist span, both side of the joist should be doubled and blocking should be installed with beam hangers especially if this column supporting a roof load...also the joist span will play a role here so the load needs to be calculated in order to properly size the joist size and thickness and in some cases you will need a footing with a post under it.

Something like this, this is how I been always doing

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Chris G

· #75 · May 5, 2014

TBFGhost said:
It's two things. It was made clear to the architect that the client wasn't sure what they wanted and were coming to him to help with design work. Then the plans he turned out were pretty bland and void of both structural details and aesthetic. I could have drawn what he drew.

Gotcha. I gather you helped them find the architect and helped handle the process. No good deed goes unpunished

I've learned not to "help out" with things unless I really have to.

TBFGhost

Discussion Starter · #76 · May 5, 2014 (Edited)

7

This is kinda how I would have done it if it was all up to me...Which is what Andy has said.

(This is just silly blocking for a newel, just because I could)

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TBFGhost

Discussion Starter · #77 · May 5, 2014

5

Some finished photos...or nearly finished photos, just because everyone likes looking at pictures.

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Chris G

· #78 · May 5, 2014

Nice work. Great stuff.

EricBrancard

· #79 · May 6, 2014 (Edited)

I'm not as worried about the columns on the sides sitting on their own piers. I'd probably just triple the rim on the porch where they are sitting and use microlams up top to bring more weight to the corners. Then again, if it's no big deal to add the extra piers, then, sure, why not?

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