Notched Post strength 1

[ChiefInspectorJ]

How does a notch of 3" affect the strength of a 6x6 wood post or a wood piling holding a structure that may experience large lateral loads from wind, scour and water?
If the post are cross braced at the top that puts a high load on the remaining 2 1/2" of wood. Same for lateral force at the top from the diaphragms and shear wall OM.
Is this good construction practice?

 

[WARose]

How does a notch of 3" affect the strength of a 6x6 wood post or a wood piling holding a structure that may experience large lateral loads from wind, scour and water?

Unquestionably it reduces the post's strength.

Is this good construction practice?

Depends if the structural engineer is aware of it. If he's accounted for said notch in his design/specifications.....then it might be ok. If not, you could have problems.

 

[ChiefInspectorJ]

Here in Florida about 85% of Oceanfront structures have notched in wood beams onto 8" pilings. I suppose this has never been a big problem.

 

[WARose]

What do the drawings show? Saying "85% of Oceanfront structures have notched in wood beams" doesn't mean a whole lot at the end of the day. The first place to check is the drawings.....then contact the structural engineer if there is something being contemplated that is not on the drawings.

 

[dik]

can you provide a sketch of the condition?

Dik

 

[ChiefInspectorJ]

Here is a sketch:

 

[ChiefInspectorJ]

WaRose,"
Here in Florida there are many imposter "structural Engineers" as many civil and mechanical guys are" practicing"
engineering.

 

[WARose]

Here in Florida there are many imposter "structural Engineers" as many civil and mechanical guys are" practicing"
engineering.

Well, one fast way to find out if the person is (at least) registered is looking at the seal on the drawings (to be sure what you posted is not the issued drawings), and looking that person up at Florida's PE board:

https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp?mode=0&SID=

However, I don't think Florida licenses by discipline.....so there is the possibility the person could be licensed, but working outside of his area of competence.

 

[XR250]

It is pretty much accepted practice around here (central NC).
I am not going to bother to check it as I would be a pariah if I decided to change it.

 

[ChiefInspectorJ]

No Florida does not license by discipline and I have done inspections on 2 story houses with no anchor bolts!

 

[dik]

Other than the slight eccentric load on the 8x8, a matter of checking it for bending and embedment into the soil looks like a conventional type of connection... make sure the post falls between joists... the 2x12 will swell and shrink and the 8x8 will not move very much longitudinally.

Dik

 

[ChiefInspectorJ]

And maybe checking the piece of wood left at the post bolt connection for shear and tension.

 

[dik]

Shear and tension? You have a bolt or possibly two running through 4" of lumber in end grain and 2 - 2x12's that are bearing on the 'notch'. Make sure the bolts are placed such that any shrinkage or swelling of the 2x12's is not going to cause them to split. Unless you have uplift or this is part of a lateral framing, your shear and tension should be minimal.

Dik

 

[ChiefInspectorJ]

This is the post carrying the tension or compression load from the shear walls, and the roof uplift loads.

 

[dik]

So it is part of lateral framing... just a matter of checking the capacity of the connection... no rocket science.

Dik