How Do I Calculate the Load Capacity of My Inverted L-Shaped Car Port Post?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the load capacity of an inverted L-shaped carport post constructed with 1/4" thick steel and supported by a concrete base with a 12" sonotube and 24" footing. The user, Ben, has reinforced the structure with a 5/8" base mounting and welded joints using 7018 arc-welding with a 1/8" rod. Concerns regarding the effectiveness of sonotubes in cold climates are addressed, emphasizing the importance of proper depth to prevent frost heave.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of structural engineering principles
  • Familiarity with load calculations for steel structures
  • Knowledge of concrete footing specifications
  • Experience with welding techniques, specifically arc-welding
NEXT STEPS
  • Research load calculation methods for steel structures
  • Learn about frost heave prevention techniques in concrete foundations
  • Explore the use of rebar in concrete reinforcement
  • Investigate local building codes regarding footing depth and sonotube usage
USEFUL FOR

Structural engineers, DIY builders, and anyone involved in constructing outdoor structures in cold climates will benefit from this discussion.

Bencrx91
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Good day everyone.

I have built a car port post in an inverted L shape and want to calculate the load that it can support.

I think I have “over-killed” the posts enough.
I am curious to see how much weight this structure could hold.

Any way of calculating the load at the area which support the wood beam ?

All metal is 1/4" thick.
Base mounting bolts/rod is 5/8"
All joints are welded with arc-welding @ 7018 @ 1/8" rod.

Concrete base 12" sonotube with 24" footing @ 8" thick.
Embedded re-bar 2 part setup .

See attached pictures.

Thanks,
Ben
 

Attachments

  • Poteaux_001_Assemblé_001a.jpg
    Poteaux_001_Assemblé_001a.jpg
    17.6 KB · Views: 844
  • Poteaux_001_Assemblé_002a.jpg
    Poteaux_001_Assemblé_002a.jpg
    15.5 KB · Views: 734
  • Poteaux_001.jpg
    Poteaux_001.jpg
    10.7 KB · Views: 827
Engineering news on Phys.org
Other pics.
 

Attachments

  • PoteauTerminé.jpg
    PoteauTerminé.jpg
    57.8 KB · Views: 696
  • Poteaux_001_Assemblé_003.jpg
    Poteaux_001_Assemblé_003.jpg
    9.5 KB · Views: 654
  • BoltRack.jpg
    BoltRack.jpg
    56 KB · Views: 1,187
Bencrx91 said:
Concrete base 12" sonotube with 24" footing @ 8" thick.
Where do you live?

Where I live - in Canada, Sonotubes are not a good thing. Water seeps down, freezes in the winter and then pushes the concrete straight up the smooth inside of the Sonotube.

And we got to go down 36" - 48".

(Just finished building my own carport.)

http://davesbrain.livejournal.com/2011/11/05/
 
Thanks for the reply Dave, I live near Ottawa, Canada.

I have poured a 24" diameter footing @ 5ft deep then poured the sonotube on top of it with rebar joining the concrete footing and sonotube. Code require 4ft deep, I have 5ft, it should be good.

Sonotube without "base/footings" if not deep enough will be moved out of the soil from freeze and thaw. (i.e. most people do the sonotubes for fences and dig only 24", 2 years after the fence is out of alignment).

Cheers!
Ben
 
Bencrx91 said:
Thanks for the reply Dave, I live near Ottawa, Canada.

I have poured a 24" diameter footing @ 5ft deep then poured the sonotube on top of it with rebar joining the concrete footing and sonotube. Code require 4ft deep, I have 5ft, it should be good.

Sonotube without "base/footings" if not deep enough will be moved out of the soil from freeze and thaw. (i.e. most people do the sonotubes for fences and dig only 24", 2 years after the fence is out of alignment).

Cheers!
Ben

Ah! (Chance were highly unlikely you were anywhere near as far North as I - let alone farther. High five!)
 
Jesoosi Chistoosi - are those four inch square steel tubes? You could park a second car up there!
 
Almost ... 3.5" tubing @ 1/4" in thick.
I know, it's overkill haha, but I would really like to see how much it can support.
A car... or a dump truck ? haha.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
6K
Replies
7
Views
16K
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
7K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
9K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K