How many through bolts in 4X4 deck post?

[Christopher Currins]

Would anyone recommend additional post/beam support?

[Juan C. Jimenez]

That would be an improper post to beam attachment in my report. The beam isn't bearing on anything

[KEVIN WOOD]

Very improper.
This picture is an improper way.

[Dave Range]

Chris,

Are those bolts just holding the beam together?

From the pics it looks like the beam is sitting on top of the 4X4's and not bolted to the 4X4's.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

That connection is prohibited in the 2009 IRC deck code. And the posts should be 6x6's.

[KEVIN WOOD]

Yes I agree! notched to hold the beam.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by drange

Chris,

Are those bolts just holding the beam together?

From the pics it looks like the beam is sitting on top of the 4X4's and not bolted to the 4X4's.

Beams bolted to post.

Also to other comments I'm well aware of the notched 6x6 requirement, unfortunately that's not how this deck was built.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

So Chris, out of curiosity, what did you put in your report?

[Chris Walsh]

Agreed, that beam to post connection is prohibited. Notching is allowed as Kevin Wood says, but notching is a pain. I prefer a Simpson "Strong Tie" Cap/Base (BCZ) to attach the post to the beam. Looks like the posts are buried in the ground. That's not allowed in my jurisdiction. The posts have to be on 9" piers, 4 ft deep, and 6" above grade.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by sstanczyk

So Chris, out of curiosity, what did you put in your report?

Recommend to strengthen support at post/beam at All post, including center post. Where two beams intersecting above one (center) post you may want to install a cleat down the side of the post. To install a cleat you will lay a short section of 2x4 flat against one side (inside) of the 4x4 support post flush with the top of the post and even with the bottom of the beam. Use a series of lag bolts to secure the cleat down the side of the post. This technique is used to expand the contact bearing of beams at the top of the post. Make sure the cleat is long enough and has enough bolts to pick up its share of the load, 3 feet is usually long enough. Note: Modern recognized building standards require All support post to be at minimum a 6" x 6" notched post; with beam resting on post.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by cwalsh

Agreed, that beam to post connection is prohibited. Notching is allowed as Kevin Wood says, but notching is a pain. I prefer a Simpson "Strong Tie" Cap/Base (BCZ) to attach the post to the beam. Looks like the posts are buried in the ground. That's not allowed in my jurisdiction. The posts have to be on 9" piers, 4 ft deep, and 6" above grade.

Post are on concrete footing, attached with approved post base brackets.

[Chris Walsh]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

Post are on concrete footing, attached with approved post base brackets.

Thanks for the info. Looked like the posts were just set in the ground.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by cwalsh

Thanks for the info. Looked like the posts were just set in the ground.

I agree, surrounded by decorative rocks, post base was just a few inches under rocks. I moved some away and probed with screwdriver.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Hold the cleat with Lag bolts? Lag bolts? Didn't you mean finish nails?

[KEVIN WOOD]

Originally Posted by cwalsh

Agreed, that beam to post connection is prohibited. Notching is allowed as Kevin Wood says, but notching is a pain. I prefer a Simpson "Strong Tie" Cap/Base (BCZ) to attach the post to the beam. Looks like the posts are buried in the ground. That's not allowed in my jurisdiction. The posts have to be on 9" piers, 4 ft deep, and 6" above grade.

We have rule on the MB Chris provide a link!
http://www.strongtie.com/ftp/fliers/S-DECKCONTP12.pdf