Homeowner Forum / Construction / December 2005

Overall, I'd have to say your headed down a crooked road with no way to turn
around.
You don't say what your sidewall height is.

From what you're proposing, I'm more concerned with the structural integrity
then the tube columns rusting out. 14 ga. is only .0747in.(barely more then
1/16") wall thickness. I might buy into this in a "compression only
project", but shear? I think not! I've put up a lot of metal bldgs and I
wouldn't go where you're headed. Frankly, I'd have to believe wind shear
alone on a 30' sidewall by 8' high wouldn't hold up with your gauge tubes.
Using more presumption, are you attaching wood to these tubes in some
manner? Rafters? Girts? You should visit
http://www.garcobuildings.com/design-specs/specifications.html and get a
better idea of what you're considering. And frankly, I'd give the
salesperson a boot up the a.s! But that's just my 2 cents worth.

Dan

4x4 steel post? your post will not rust out...(not in two lifetimes)
even ol' monkey metal wouldn't rust out in a lifetime

In a previous post ranchersam@gmail.com wrote...

Bad idea all around.

First, check with your local building department to see if a permit is
required.  Many jurisdictions will let you put up 120 SF w/o a permit.  
Anything larger often requires one.

Second, I assume you bought some sort of building kit.  It should come
complete with all the columns, base plates and anything else you need for
a complete package from the top of the concrete up.  If it isn't complete
then demand your money back.

You're off to a strange and questionable start.  If this is
inspected work, you will need a footing down to frost depth. This
footing can be monolithic with your 4" floor, but that is not what
your post sounded like.

Metal building supply houses should be able to supply columns with
base plates and provide the engineering stamp that the building
department will demand.  It is possible to build as you are
started, many pole barns are built more or less this way..The
poles would be set to line in "fence post holes" and the structure
added to the poles.  If you do not weld, I would see no advantage
to heading this way.  This method will probably not be acceptable
to an AHJ if this is in a code jurisdiction.

It is plenty hard enough to build a metal building well if you've
not done it before even with a total building package that has all
the parts and pieces sized and punched.  It can even be a stunt to
locate all the anchor bolts appropriately - "wet stabbing" ain't
gonna cut it.  Are you planning to cast a sheet ledge in the edge
form?  Are you planning to cast a recessed pocket for the overhead
door?  Will your building require a reinforced grade
beam/thickened slab to tie the side wall column bases together?
What provisions are you making for wind bracing?  Are you planning
to insulate, and how?

I'm sure not saying you cannot do the project.  I just think you
are in need of more input.  There are many people here who can
give good advice.  There are even a few who give very questionable
advice.  Beware, be asking, but it sounds like you need to talk to
at least one more metal building supplier and/or erector.

(top posted for your convenience)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG  (remove the sevens)
dgriff237@7cox.net