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Aftertherevolut ion
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2012 02:43pm
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Hi all.. First post here, although have been reading for a while.
Was hoping I could put out some ideas and get some feedback.
I'm not a professional builder but have some decks, covered porches and other small projects under my belt and I'm finally getting around to building my cabin.
I've had a few different ideas running along at the same time, but they generally involve a small building with some height to it like a tower.
Some key questions come up though.
Stability
Im considering a pole building construction of about 30+ feet tall.
While the base would be roughly 12x8 with some cantilevered parts on second floor. Is this a ridiculous idea? What calculations might I want to do to figure out how to withstand a (lateral?) side load like wind?
Would a deck/bridge to the second floor and tied into footings be enough extra support?
The building is also on a slight slope.
Foundation
It seems like pole buildings generally want to bury the poles a fair distance down. 1. I'm not sure if I will have enough room to bury the poles more than 4 feet given the rock in the area.
2. The group of people who own this land don't want pressure treated being used in the ground at least, and I would prefer to have the wood above ground. I am thinking of using hemlock poles as they are readily available and rot resistant
Do any of you have examples of tall narrow towers and how their foundations and supports we're built?
Thanks so much
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2012 02:59pm
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A three level building with foundations only 4ft deep. You will kill yourself somewhere on the third floor. Death is almost assured as you're on a slope.
The absolutely best you could hope for is the leaning tower of Piza.
You need to find a way to tie into that bedrock - assuming it is bedrock - as a minimum. Maybe pore a concrete slab; either that or start thinking single level but even then you will need to tie into the bedrock somewhere.
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Aftertherevolut ion
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2012 03:04pm
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Yes that's the kinda reality check I want :)
I'be always wanted to build a treehouse, and without adequate trees of size in my location I thought I might be able to tie it in to a rock ledge. Back to the other designs then :)
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Just
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2012 04:20pm
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somewere on this forum there is a thread about a 3 story 10 x 10 , i think his last post was about a foundation failure . maybe some of the others can remember????anyone???
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Aftertherevolut ion
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2012 04:44pm
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Would love to see it .. Had done some searching, but maybe just had the wrong keywords.
Found this on the Internet... But obviously a much different scale. Still neat. http://www.alaskaantlerworks.com/Photos.AlaskaTimberFrameTower.htm
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Aftertherevolut ion
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2012 04:52pm
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Oh and of course this persons 14x14
http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/6_760_0.html#msg6846
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Just
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2012 05:38pm
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no thats not the one, it was a cupple years back.maybe in ny.or somewere in the east.there were finished pics of the place. i will look again..
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2012 06:03pm - Edited by: Just
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try , dvgchef 12 by 12 cabin
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trollbridge
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2012 11:08pm - Edited by: trollbridge
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yes that is it Just...he got it fixed but it was a funny story I remember!
BTW...welcome Aftertherevolution!!! Good luck with your cabin!
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dvgchef
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# Posted: 11 Feb 2012 07:51pm
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Glad I could entertain!
Yep, the cabin is still standing - solidly finally - but I will never build a tall structure again! The contractor who dug the better holes with his tonka toy quoted me $200 in August - just this week presented the bill for $1000!
Aftertherevolution - welcome to the site, but don't go high! Build multiple single dwellings and attach them with walkways.
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trollbridge
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# Posted: 11 Feb 2012 11:39pm
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Quoting: dvgchef The contractor who dug the better holes with his tonka toy quoted me $200 in August - just this week presented the bill for $1000!
You just got the bill????????? He must not need his $$$$ all that badly!!! Is the extra the interest he charged for not billing right away????
and yes your story was entertaining...but I was pulling for you the whole time!!!!!
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Aftertherevolut ion
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 03:25pm
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Thanks all for the welcome ... Good advice, and so valuable to have all yr experiences on here.
Am finalizing my plans over the next few months and hope to break ground in may. I've already cleared the small area where I'm to build, and built a bridge crossing the creek (will upload a pic when I figure where to upload it to:)
Part of my challenge is that it is a large piece of shared piece of land off in the bush. Legend has it that the building code is ok with 10x10 's. but the reality is they just don't like a lot of people building a lot of cabins on any given property, so am trying to maximize my space without looking too obvious.
The idea for the three story was that, unlike my original plan to build a 1.5 story cabin on top of a high point I had cleared, I could build something with the base 12' below the rocky outcropping, and have a deck/bridge go right into the second floor... So that it wouldn't appear big at all :)
But sounds like the concensus is that one shouldn't build things like this. But that if yr stubborn and determined enough, put a whole lot of effort and resources into building a real stable proper foundation . :) .. And that some sort of bracing wouldn't hurt.
Well I'll post as things come together :)
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Aftertherevolut ion
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 03:32pm
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[img=null]null[/img]
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Aftertherevolut ion
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 04:18pm
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Aftertherevolut ion
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 04:21pm
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Aftertherevolut ion
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 04:22pm
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soundandfurycabin
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 06:53pm
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ATR, this is a link to someone else's 10x10 2 story + loft....
https://plus.google.com/photos/114027646122804684053/albums?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#ph otos/114027646122804684053/albums/5088795643160214673
I think the general concept of what you described would work, having the long (12') side parallel to the slope and using the outcrop to add resistance to the short dimension. The deck should run the full 12' length, though, and be securely attached to both the cabin and the outcrop. At the outcrop you would have a beam sitting in saddles that are pinned into the rock. Consider making the cabin second floor and exterior deck into a continuous diaphragm, meaning the joists are continuous from the outcrop right to the far side of the cabin and the whole thing is sheathed with plywood/OSB (pressure treated on the deck portion), using either T&G sheathing or solid wood blocking behind all joints. That will add additional bracing strength in both directions. A roof over the deck will keep most rainwater off, but you will still need some detailing to prevent water that does land on the deck from running into the cabin. That would give you a good platform for building up another 1.5 stories.
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Just
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 06:55pm
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THERE ARE SOME PICS OF A 8 X 12 I BUILT, IN CANADIAN GIRLS THREAD , CAN HAVE TWO BEDROOM LOFT,SLEEPS 6
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Aftertherevolut ion
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 09:56pm
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Sound&fury... I was looking at some pics of yours earlier... Definitely gives me sme food for thought. Thnx
Just... Don't seem to be able to locat this Canadian girls thread. :)
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Just
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 11:15pm - Edited by: Just
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Aftertherevolut ion
here you go
7982_3.jpg
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7982_2.jpg
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7982_1.jpg
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stairway
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Icebear
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# Posted: 14 Feb 2012 02:01am
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You can certainly go up, no issue. BUT get the foundations right that's all. Attaching to rock is a good and stable option as long as it is actually stable rock :)
It is like everything, get the foundation square and solid and everything else is easier.
Don't give up, but good to be prepared!
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Aftertherevolution
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2012 10:41pm
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Thnx all ... Gonna let it all percolate for a month or so .. But will pop back with updates later on 
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