Fun Deer Hunting Project, Wood - Concrete Connection & Diagonal Bracing of Columns 2

[AKSherpa]

A client brought in a sketch of his planned "deer hunting shoot house".

See attached

The concrete footings are in and he plans to use telephone poles for the legs. I recommended shimming the legs up off the concrete to prevent rot due to moisture. I am curious if anyone has any creative ideas for how to shim the legs up off the concrete. I am also curious as to opinions concerning the diagonal wire bracing of the columns. He plans to provide a cable or wire connection running from the top of each leg to the bottom of the leg at the opposite corner.

Thanks,

AKSherpa

 

[molibden]

I agree, you need to put the columns higher above concrete. Use a steel element, that you can anchor and connect with wood properly. I would provide four diagonal bracings - in all outer planes. Connecting just the opposite corners seems not adequate. Usually I would just use timber diagonals, connected on the columns on both sides.

 

[dik]

Simpson makes a base support that keeps the wood up off the concrete. Conc wicks water and can cause brown rot (aka dry-rot). I'd still use pressure treated, not creosote.

Dik

 

[AKSherpa]

Thanks for the tips.

Dik, why treated and not creosote?

Thanks

 

[dik]

Creosote will off-gas for years and may spook game. Far more noticeable than PT stock. You can spray creosoted material with 'eau de apple' and it will still smell like creosote. Game may get used to the smell and it may be that creosote is OK... just wouldn't take a chance.

I quit hunting about 10 years back... too much trouble in Canada, but hunted for nearly 50 years...

Dik

 

[AKSherpa]

Dik,

Very interesting thoughts, much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[dik]

Did you get it built?

Dik