Inadequate garage support post?

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

One 4x4 post for the side of the garage. Post is a turned porch-post type.

Considering its size, I think it's inadequate by itself. Any thoughts?

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Taking into account for the lathe work, in effect, it's a 3x3 at best !!!

No matter how I look at it, and consider all the possible construction techniques, there is only one answer.... RUN !!!

[Christopher Currins]

Don't overlook the support from the downspout.

[Michael Roberson]

Joe,

You forgot to take into consideration the additional strength added by the downspout.






So yea, I would say its a little weak. Put that on the "TO DO" list for the homeowner.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Sure hope they don't miss the entrance to the carport on their way in.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Sure hope they don't miss the entrance to the carport on their way in.

My thoughts exactly!

P.S. I walked the roof and it didn't collapse.

[Richard A. Hetzel]

The post may well be structurally adequate. Some manufacturers of turned columns will specify the maximum axial load they are capable of carrying. One could easily calculate the load on the column if one knew certain key dimensions. The comments posted tend to support my opinion that people other than licensed and qualified design professionals ought not give opinions about structural adequacy of construction elements. There is no reason to believe that the post is inadequate for this application.

My guess, absent enough dimensions and information to perform calculations, is that the post carries very little load, and is perfectly adequate.

If it were a cement-filled six-inch diameter steel pipe column, or even a sixteen inch square block pier, I would STILL be concerned about someone missing the entrance to the garage.

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Originally Posted by Richard A. Hetzel

The post may well be structurally adequate. Some manufacturers of turned columns will specify the maximum axial load they are capable of carrying. One could easily calculate the load on the column if one knew certain key dimensions. The comments posted tend to support my opinion that people other than licensed and qualified design professionals ought not give opinions about structural adequacy of construction elements. There is no reason to believe that the post is inadequate for this application.

My guess, absent enough dimensions and information to perform calculations, is that the post carries very little load, and is perfectly adequate.

If it were a cement-filled six-inch diameter steel pipe column, or even a sixteen inch square block pier, I would STILL be concerned about someone missing the entrance to the garage.

I hope your kidding

[rdimmerling]

Originally Posted by Richard A. Hetzel

The post may well be structurally adequate. Some manufacturers of turned columns will specify the maximum axial load they are capable of carrying. One could easily calculate the load on the column if one knew certain key dimensions. The comments posted tend to support my opinion that people other than licensed and qualified design professionals ought not give opinions about structural adequacy of construction elements. There is no reason to believe that the post is inadequate for this application.

My guess, absent enough dimensions and information to perform calculations, is that the post carries very little load, and is perfectly adequate.

If it were a cement-filled six-inch diameter steel pipe column, or even a sixteen inch square block pier, I would STILL be concerned about someone missing the entrance to the garage.

Agreed....

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by Richard A. Hetzel

The post may well be structurally adequate. Some manufacturers of turned columns will specify the maximum axial load they are capable of carrying. One could easily calculate the load on the column if one knew certain key dimensions. The comments posted tend to support my opinion that people other than licensed and qualified design professionals ought not give opinions about structural adequacy of construction elements. There is no reason to believe that the post is inadequate for this application.

My guess, absent enough dimensions and information to perform calculations, is that the post carries very little load, and is perfectly adequate.

If it were a cement-filled six-inch diameter steel pipe column, or even a sixteen inch square block pier, I would STILL be concerned about someone missing the entrance to the garage.

Ehhhh!

That is called a carport and nobody needs a structural engineer to say the multiladder will support more weight than that little thing.
(hate the multi ladder) top heavy and back breaking.

It looks more decorative that supportive.

Here is a good instructional...
http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/artic...ticle_id=60455

[Terry Clayton]

Could it possibly be a vinyl post with an aluminum core if so they are rated for carrying 1800lb load (The one I purchased) but I don't see any method of fastening to the brick

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by tclayton

Could it possibly be a vinyl post with an aluminum core if so they are rated for carrying 1800lb load (The one I purchased) but I don't see any method of fastening to the brick

Definitely wood.

[Richard A. Hetzel]

Meanwhile, that poor little column doesn't know that it cannot support the weight of a garage roof in a southern climate, so it just goes ahead and does it anyway.

Yes, it's a carport, but it is, unlike the one in the linked article, attached to two walls of the house, not one. I wish I knew the dimensions and the exact roof framing conditions, but say the garage is 18x18. That means that the column is carring perhaps 9x9 x 30 PSF total load...that's 2430 pounds. In structural terms, that's a tiny load. There is no need for knee bracing, because the two house walls brace the roof structure in both directions.

No, I was not kidding.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

You guys who say its fine, here's a question: if it were supporting a deck, instead of a house roof, would you be OK with it? A deck of the same dimensions attached to structure at 2 sides with one of those at the corner is perfectly fine? Right?

[Billy Boerner]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

You guys who say its fine, here's a question: if it were supporting a deck, instead of a house roof, would you be OK with it? A deck of the same dimensions attached to structure at 2 sides with one of those at the corner is perfectly fine? Right?

Bet you sody pop joe thats a steel or aluminum beam hidden under what you see. I also bet it's embedded deep in the ground hopefully sitting on a footer.

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/building/patio04.pdf