What is this column holding up a deck? 3

[jerseyshore]

Went to a house near me to check out a foundation, but snapped some pictures of this random column in the back holding up the 2nd floor deck. What is it?

All the other posts were typical 4x4's, but this was a random, (likely re-used) piece of metal that someone went thru the effort of utilizing on this crappy deck.

Figure someone here would know what this oval shaped tube was.

 

[SWComposites]

A spare sailboat mast?

 

[human909]

Agreed. Looks like a sail mast or boom. Probably aluminium.

 

[jerseyshore]

Makes sense since this is only 3 blocks from the beach. Good stuff, thanks. Knew someone here would know the answer quick. Wonder if they have the ICC report

 

[SWComposites]

The report states: "the aluminum pole is by inspection better than a rotted out 4x4 post"

 

[jerseyshore]

The report states the foundation needs to be replaced. The deck and sailboat mast photos are just for everyone's amusement here.

 

[StrEng007]

How do these decks get their lateral stability? You know the front side of the deck has absolutely no lateral parallel to the house/building.

Cantilevered floor deck diaphragm with no back span?

I don't know where the photo was taken... but a majority of my jobs are located in V=175MPH wind velocity regions. So these things always catch my attention.

 

[rb1957]

does Al like concrete ? Won't the foot of the "column" be corroded all to heck ? Maybe this is what is causing the damage to the foundation (as the corrosion expands within the concrete) ?

it'd also be interesting to see how the deck is attached (to the "column").

"Hoffen wir mal, dass alles gut geht !"
General Paulus, Nov 1942, outside Stalingrad after the launch of Operation Uranus.

 

[Eng16080]

does Al like concrete ?

Based on some recent research, I concluded that, in general, aluminum should not be in direct contact with concrete or pressure treated lumber.

 

[XR250]

How do these decks get their lateral stability

Usually shitty little 45° knee braces that are too high and not connected well enough to be effective

 

[jerseyshore]

I don't know where the photo was taken

Jersey shore cuz. Just a few blocks from the beach.

How do these decks get their lateral stability?

This deck, like most in NJ, get their lateral stability by a hope and a prayer. Very few have knee braces. New decks will have post caps so that helps a bit.

Maybe this is what is causing the damage to the foundation

The letter I wrote was just about the house foundation which is totally undermined because it basically sits on a lake every time it rains. The deck was not in my scope, just wanted to share this "column".

it'd also be interesting to see how the deck is attached (to the "column")

In the first picture you can see the little angle that the rim joist is resting on. It looked like they had 2 screws and that little angle, that's it.

 

[rb1957]

"In the first picture you can see the little angle that the rim joist is resting on." ... saw that, just wondering how do they pick up the column ?

in fixing the foundation (and I'm sure the column is corroded too) can you replace with a "sensible" 4x4 column (like the other columns) ... maybe right in the corner of the deck, under the joists ?



"Hoffen wir mal, dass alles gut geht !"
General Paulus, Nov 1942, outside Stalingrad after the launch of Operation Uranus.

 

[jerseyshore]

Based on some recent research, I concluded that, in general, aluminum should not be in direct contact with concrete or pressure treated lumber.

But what about....both

 

[Eng16080]

But what about....both

Then it's ok (but only in New Jersey)