Setting posts in concrete...

[Antho]

I am building a pergola using a rustic wood called Thyua as posts.... its a type of cedar so has pretty good rot resistance and is very hard for a softwood. The pieces im using as pillars are over 100 years old taken from an old barn here in Morocco. I have been using post anchors on other structures but in order to get a stable and solid structure you need to add a lot of bracing which I cant do in this situation as its going to be a car port at times.

I have set posts in reinforced concrete forms before but have found unless the mass of concrete is pretty generous (and ugly) that the forms have cracked. I cant set the posts blow ground as they are not tall enough. Anybody got any tips or tricks for setting posts above ground with maximum stability and obviously I don't want them to rot if moisture gets trapped in the concrete?

Any thoughts?

 

[Antho]

Heres a picture of the wood.... very pretty

 

[toolsntat]

https://www.canopyproducts.co.uk/stainless-steel-post-supports-preston/
EDIT might need more bracing trough....?

Nice sounding project.
Cheers Andy

 

[Tris]

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/dealing-with-rotting-posts-advice-sought.116375/
This old thread of mine might give you some ideas to suit your project.

 

[toolsntat]

Would boring a hole in the end far enough to facilitate dropping them over a suitable steel tube be feasible?
Cheers Andy

 

[El Barto]

What about it being a car port is stopping you from adding bracing, like below?

 

[Antho]

What about it being a car port is stopping you from adding bracing, like below?

Such lovely square wood... have a quick look at the pictures i posted and you will see why it would be more than a labour of love.... Nice job though very tight

 

[El Barto]

Scribe it in - would look brilliant.

 

[Spectric]

Hi

The idea of a steel tube/rod in the end as suggested by Andy is a good method, sometimes used with a threaded bar to make it adjustable. Another method is a slot in the post that sits over a nicely profiled plate that is set in concrete that can be below ground to hide.

 

[MikeJhn]

These and lots of variations on them are available and may help: https://www.leroymerlin.fr/v3/p/pro...xer-gris-h-15-x-l-6-5-x-p-6-cm-m68283026.html

 

[Terry - Somerset]

Just a thought:

• Large ceramic pots (garden centre?) with a bit of decorative value.
• Place posts in pots
• Loosely wrap in some galvanised steel mesh for reinforcement
• Fill with concrete, try to eliminate bubbles
• Ensure a slope down from post to rim so water does not pool

 

[Antho]

Nice idea on the posts could look quite good in our setting