pole barn modification ?

[Joe_Lee]

New guy here, considering building a pole barn. I've read for hours on this site and others about the debate over wood rotting underground - in concrete or not. I see valid arguments on both sides.

Here's my question.

If I built a pole barn with or without concrete around the posts, later poured a monolithic slab around the posts, and then nailed a 2x4 or 2x6 to the concrete as a bottom plate between all posts and connected it to the posts, then build stud wall between the posts, would it not be as strong as a stick built on a mono slab even if the post rotted beneath the slab?

I ask because it would have the bottom plate like a stud wall.

I'm in south Alabama, near the bay. No worries about cold temps, just require 130 mph wind load.

Like most people, the reason I'm considering is that I can get the roof structure up now and later pour concrete and wall in as I have the cash.

Thanks for any input
Joe

 

[stafford]

You probably should talk to your building inspector and get his thoughts on it. He won't steer you wrong. Good luck with your project.
Stafford

 

[rsanter]

How about you drill the post holes a little deeper and pour 6" of concrete in the bottom then set the poles and pour concrete around them.
This will eliminate the dirt contact but you may still get moisture in there a little
But it would be better

Bob

 

[larry_g]

My old building is built as you suggest, without the interior stud wall. I talked with my builder about just doing as you suggest and he said not to do it as the edge of the concrete slab was not reinforced, and there was nothing like a footing to hold up the building. So with that information I did not build an interior stud wall. If you planned the concrete pour and made a footing under where the stud wall will be and then pour you might get away with it.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Daniel Dudley]

You would have to have compacted gravel under the concrete, and what you would be making is a modified monolithic slab. Usually you would want to be about a foot thick out toward the perimeter, and with a fair amount of rebar. Some people call these Alaskan slabs.

 

[6768rogues]

Encasing the pole in concrete will result in the wood shrinking, the void being filled with water, and a rotten pole. Much better to place a concrete footing below the pole, let it cure, then put in the poles with dirt backfill. Then grade to make water shed away from the building.

 

[kbs2244]

You can do what you are talking about.
You don’t need to worry about the slab under your wall not being built to carry a load.
The only weight will be that of the wall.
The posts are carrying the weight of the building.

Whatever you do, do not put concrete in the hole before putting in the post.
The bottom of the post needs to be able to drain.
If you set it in concrete you have just set it into a vase.
Any water that gets into the post will drain down the inside of the post and just sit there, rotting the wood away.

If you want to put a concrete collar at the surface it would be OK but not necessary for properly installed posts.

Look at the millions of power poles out there.
None use any concrete.
Just well tamped dirt between the hole edge and the pole as the hole is filled.

Go here for all you will need to know.

http://www.easybuildings.com/

 

[Joe_Lee]

Thanks for the replies!