Splicing Wood Columns / Posts 4

[smitty9898]

I'm designing a two story deck for a client. The column height is about 20' high, and I know that a wood post of this height will not be able to be purchased.

I'm not sure about the best way to splice this connection. I'm going to place the splice at the highest point possible to reduce compressive load at the connection. I'm not exactly sure of a good detail to use for this connection.

Any help or reference to applicable literature would be great.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[SperlingPE]

Is a steel tube out of the question?

 

[whyun]

What about engineered wood products such as Parallam by TrusJoist

 

[boo1]

Call the lumber yard about custom orders. PT parallam (from whyun) or bolted steel splice plates on each side are other options.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

smitty9898 - Here is a free .pdf download that addresses your question - take a look at "Built-Up Columns with Mechanical Fastenings".

http://www.awc.org/pdf/WSDD/C3.pdf

You may want to download this entire document for future reference.

 

[KarlT]

Keep in mind also that you shouldn't use Parallam material when there is a possiblity of exposure to moisture, it should only be used in interior applications.

 

[neffers]

I believe that trus joist makes a parallam that is able to be used in exterior applications. Check out this link...

http://www.trusjoist.com/PDFFiles/5020.pdf

Hope this maybe helps.

neffers

 

[PSlem]

I was called out to alarge lake house with a double deck porch with roof because the columns had settled. The posts consisted of two 16' 6x6's, one toe nailed! on top of the other. I had a local sheet metal shop brake me U shaped pieces of galvanized 1/8" metal and bolted them together with two bolts above and below the joint. The deck was also held to the house with three nails at the end of each 8' ledger. A 1x4 covering the T111 joint below the porch appears to be what prevented disaster. I would look for an exterior parallam. I have had them pressure treated before delivery for boardwalk projects.

 

[RARWOOD]

You might want to check the availability of solid timber in your area. 20' doesn't seem to be to long of length for a 6x6 or 8x8. However, depending your locatio, 20' timbers may not be available.

You could also use a treated glulam. It is my uderstanding that the manufacture of paralam is no longer permitting the product to be pressure treated. However, I would check with a local supplier as there is a chance that they still have some in inventory.

 

[smitty9898]

Thanks for the responses.... I found numerous details on the topic. I ended up making the column discontinous at the first floor level.