Pole Barn Posts

[Tf18]

Starting to build a new pole barn this weekend. Have heard several ways of securing the poles in the ground. Some say put 1 bag of concrete in bottom tamp and then fill in pole hole with dirt up to ground level and tamp. Theory is this way pole will not rot at ground level. Other way is concrete all the way up to the ground level. Risks rotting pole. Put in tube and then fill with concrete. Don't know pitfalls of this method.
Just wondering what is the best way to go about this??????? Live in upstate NY.

 

[EricP]

A lot of debate/conjecture when comparing pole setting methods and a lot of variables not fully understood. Just use UC4B CCA-C .60 posts and don't worry about it. You want poles treated for heavy duty ground contact which the above ratings give.

 

[188slo50]

Just built one a few weeks ago and the only way they would do it is concrete in the bottom dirt around pole to top.

 

[cj7jeep81]

Also check with your building inspectors (if you need to use them). In my county, they need to sit on a concrete pad, then have at least 1 bag of concrete added to meet code.

 

[Ajustable]

A 6" concrete pad at the bottom of the hole, then a 5/8' hole drilled thru the post near the bottom with rebar driven through extending out each side of the post, to stop uplift frost heave, seems to be a standard up here. Concrete around the post creates a water/moisture pocket that the post sits in. That is just inviting rot.

I've heard several arguments pro and con on what to back fill the posts with, on fence posts I have noticed that back filling with stone dust or travel bond, seems to preserve the posts at ground level better than soil. ( less rot) just my observation. I would use some type of crushed stone. it tamps better and allows better drainage. if your soil is sand then that is another discussion.

 

[rieferman]

As has been stated on this forum many times, you certainly can build a post-frame (pole barn) structure with posts directly in the ground. People do it all the time. And many will tell you their building lasted a long time. (But, I have seen many that didn't last as long)

Then again, for such minimal cost increase, I have no earthly idea why anyone would do so when perfectly good alternatives exist. Eliminating rot issues entirely from the conversation saves you from future expense, and protects the investment for resale purposes.

Here are two options (neither of which do I have any affiliation with other than believing in the common sense of their solutions):

http://www.plastisleeve.com/

edit: I just noticed these guys also offer a plastic cover for the skirt board. Really smart.


https://permacolumn.com/

 

[ACDNate]

I'm completely ignorant regarding this type of construction.

That being said, if I were doing somethiing like this myself, my first thought would be rebar drilled through at a couple spots below grade and using a tube form to concrete in all wood below grade.

Is that not a viable method?