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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around calculating the load capacity of an inverted L-shaped car port post. Participants explore the structural integrity and design considerations of the post, including materials used and local building codes. The conversation includes both theoretical calculations and practical experiences related to construction.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Ben inquires about methods to calculate the load capacity of his car port post, which is constructed with specific materials and dimensions.
  • Ben describes the construction details, including the thickness of metal, base mounting specifications, and the concrete foundation setup.
  • Dave raises concerns about the use of sonotubes in Canada due to potential issues with water freezing and affecting the concrete structure.
  • Ben responds to Dave, explaining his deeper footing and the measures taken to ensure stability against freeze-thaw cycles.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that the steel tubing used is robust enough to support significant weight, questioning if it could hold a dump truck.
  • Ben acknowledges the over-engineering of the structure and expresses curiosity about its actual load capacity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of sonotubes in cold climates, with some agreeing on the need for deeper foundations while others share personal experiences that may contradict this. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact load capacity calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference local building codes and personal experiences that may not universally apply, indicating potential limitations in the discussion's applicability to different regions or conditions.

Bencrx91
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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
 

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Engineering news on Phys.org
Other pics.
 

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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.
 

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