Sure could use some advice from some experts here. I took a job building a fancy gazebo, and as I tend to stick to cabinets and furniture, I’m out of my element.
My question is, what it the best way to connect the 4×4 posts to the concrete slab? I bought some brackets from Lowes that nail onto the posts, then a bolt goes through the bottom. Should work fine, but, this thing has 10 posts that need fastened down, and there is not a lot of fudge factor in the brackets I bought. Is there a better, more flexible way to do this? The slab has not been poured yet. Perhaps I could measure and get it right, but…
Thanks for your advice,
Steve
Replies
Hopefully, you will get a good answer to your actual questions "what brackets?" but let me give you a bit of advice based on the fact that I just went through your exact scenario: 1) not sure if you plan to install the brackets before or after your create sets up, but I'd say forget about trying to set that many anchors accurately in wet concrete; I didn't even try. Rather drill in red head anchors several days after the pour. http://www.ramset-redhead.com/rh_as_intro.asp 2) thicken the slab in the areas where the posts will sit. Though not great, there will be some point loads. 3) think carefully about how you plan to provide lateral stabilization to the structure. Generally, gazebos are pretty open, and since your posts will not be imbedded in your slab (not recommended) you will need some kind of diagonal bracing at the top of the walls.
Matt,
Thanks for your advice. That many posts scares my measuring skills too. The gazebo is actually nearly completed, and I'm going to haul it to the site in one piece, hopefully Monday. It's in a city park, very obvious, and potentially great advertising, so I probably overbuilt it a bit. Don't want something like that to colapse!
How thick would you pour the concrete under the posts? It's similar structurally to these gazebos, do you think they have enough lateral stability?
http://www.vixenhill.com/Products/Gazebos/First_Floor/
I read on another gazebo website, that the concrete should be 12"x12" around the perimeter, and 4 to 6 inches elsewere. We did the forms this morning at those specs. Probably overkill, but that insurance is cheap.
Steve
I think those footings will be plenty big enough, but then I don't know your soil type, frost line depth, structure size, etc. Re the lateral stability, those brackets shown at that web site (top of posts) might well be more than just for looks... Collar ties and/or ceiling joists wouldn't hurt either.
Are you gonna pour the slab and *then* place the structure on it?
Matt
Edited 9/11/2003 4:28:10 PM ET by DIRISHINME
Matt,
Yep, that's the plan. Involves a lowboy semi trailer, a crane, bunch of OSB, caster wheels, and a bunch of manpower, but that's the plan. Oh yea, gotta avoid the high dollar plants they thoughtfully planted last week. Monday could be a mess.
I'm tying the rafters to the posts, as we get some pretty substantial winds here, and I don't want it to act like a wing. I bought an old engineering book, and figured the wind loads, and snow loads, then overbuilt to something like a factor of 8. I think I bid this thing too low.
Steve
We will assume the foundation will be poured level. Fasten the anchors to the bottom of the posts (columns) 1st, then anchor with red heads. If you try to measure this out and set the anchors 1st, this will become the Steve Memorial Gazebo. You may have to have some brackets made of 1/4" steel so you have an outside flange to anchor through. Most stock brackets anchor inside the post foot print.
Russ,
Now why the didn't I think of that!!! Sometimes its the simplest things that are the most elusive isn't it. Thanks loads for helping, I think I'll do the anchors that way. I've probably even got some stainless bracket material around that wouldn't rust.
It may be a little early in the game to assume a level pad, but a few shim washers would take care of that if needed.
Steve
I've probably even got some stainless bracket material around that wouldn't rust.
Stainless will be great if you have it available. I used short sections of I beams, sideways, with an added flange for bolting under my 2 1/2 story p&b. These posts were 6x6, but I guess I beams come small. Just do something that'll give you some ventilation down there.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!