Shade Sail Post Installation - Concrete Footings - Help
Shade Sail Post Installation - Concrete Footings and Materials Help (Chicagoland) Hey r/DIY! I'm planning to install a shade sail system in the Chicagoland area and need some advice on the foundation work and materials. My Setup: - 4 posts total, each 4x4 pressure treated lumber, 10 feet high - Posts will be spaced 20ft and 15ft apart (rectangular layout) - These will only support a shade sail (no other loads) My Questions: Concrete footings - Planning 12" diameter x 4.5 feet deep (below frost line for Chicago). Is 3000 PSI concrete the right choice, or should I go higher/lower? Concrete quantity - My math says I need about 24 bags of 80lb concrete mix for all four footings. Does this sound right? Any recommendations on types that work well in Chicago weather? Post brackets - Should I go with Simpson Strong-Tie CB44 or ABU44? What's the difference and which is better for shade sail applications? Anchoring method - Is it better to set anchor bolts in wet concrete during the pour, or drill and install wedge anchors after the concrete cures? If anchor bolts, what size and how many per post? Chicago-specific considerations - Any special concerns for our freeze/thaw cycles or wind loads? Should I be worried about frost heave with these footings? Any advice from folks who've done similar projects in the Midwest? What would you do differently if you were starting over? Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/prometheuspk [link] [comments]
Shade Sail Post Installation - Concrete Footings and Materials Help (Chicagoland)
Hey r/DIY! I'm planning to install a shade sail system in the Chicagoland area and need some advice on the foundation work and materials.
My Setup: - 4 posts total, each 4x4 pressure treated lumber, 10 feet high - Posts will be spaced 20ft and 15ft apart (rectangular layout) - These will only support a shade sail (no other loads)
My Questions:
Concrete footings - Planning 12" diameter x 4.5 feet deep (below frost line for Chicago). Is 3000 PSI concrete the right choice, or should I go higher/lower?
Concrete quantity - My math says I need about 24 bags of 80lb concrete mix for all four footings. Does this sound right? Any recommendations on types that work well in Chicago weather?
Post brackets - Should I go with Simpson Strong-Tie CB44 or ABU44? What's the difference and which is better for shade sail applications?
Anchoring method - Is it better to set anchor bolts in wet concrete during the pour, or drill and install wedge anchors after the concrete cures? If anchor bolts, what size and how many per post?
Chicago-specific considerations - Any special concerns for our freeze/thaw cycles or wind loads? Should I be worried about frost heave with these footings?
Any advice from folks who've done similar projects in the Midwest? What would you do differently if you were starting over?
Thanks in advance!
[link] [comments]
