Thread: Added structural support

I ran across this today. 75 year old two story home. Original wood beam and posts. I stated in my report that the support appeared to be an engineered design, but not properly installed. Drywall screws are anchoring the assembly to the wood posts.

Along with the added assembly there were several adjustable posts added which were not secured top or bottom, one had a footing added, the others were on the concrete slab.

There was also an open permit on the home for structural repairs.

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I rarely ever see the mounting holes utilized on the top or bottom plates of the adjustable posts.

Well here goes- The last two photo's are easy all columns are to be mechanically attached to floor and beam for up-lift and horizontal movement control.
The first few photo's are of a design only the designer is sure of purpose. I would say that the horzontal strut are possible for motion control or for a type of shear wall system. Either way the drywall screw has no shear strenght and I would have recommended a fastener typical of strucural use and then recommend that a engineer or origanal drawings be obtained for further evaluation.

Good luck

If those adjustable post are the kind sold at the big box stores they are not approved for permanent use. They are thin-wall tubing and should be 3" schedule 40 or greater.....unless approved by an engineer.

Ken

Although it looks like someone took allot of time and effort to build that support I don't think it was engineered. What type of loading was on the main floor to warrant this extra support?

Originally Posted by Randy Mayo

Ken

Although it looks like someone took allot of time and effort to build that support I don't think it was engineered. What type of loading was on the main floor to warrant this extra support?

No extra load. Typical 4 square house, but the post on the right of the first photo had settle a bit.