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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Sona Tube Depths
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rut2nutranch
Member
# Posted: 11 Apr 2010 11:00am
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Planning to build a 12 x 32 cabin on top of 6 sona tubes in the ground 2' and 2' above ground. I keep on hearing people say it has to be below freeze line in the ground so do I have to out the entire 4' of sona tube in the ground then 2' of wood above ground or would 2' in ground and 2' above ground be sufficient? In addition I will also be using pier blocks underneath the foundation for support.

larry
Member
# Posted: 12 Apr 2010 07:50am
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rut, where are you building in the north or the south? i am in northern mi. and i only went down 3 ft. so far no problems.
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rut2nut
# Posted: 12 Apr 2010 07:00pm
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Thanks Larry, we're building in southern Utah but we're right at 7000 feet. so it does drop below 0 quite often.

larry
Member
# Posted: 12 Apr 2010 09:12pm - Edited by: larry
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wow, i don't even know if i could breath at that altitude. I'm a low lander, 1000'. what is the water table like. i would assume that if you had a good snow pack as insulation the frost would not go very deep. that may be to your advantage.were you planning on a kit or stick building?

rut2nut
# Posted: 14 Apr 2010 06:45pm
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Our water table is approx 400'.....using stick building. We are planning to use brackets in the sona tubes or do you recommend putting the 4 x 4 right in the cement? I would attach pics but have not figured out how yet. Any help would be great full and I will attach.

larry
Member
# Posted: 15 Apr 2010 08:25am
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it would be your choice on how to mount the 4x4s. using brackets would allow room for error by being able to locate the bracket where you like. as for attachments, see the "upload files" in light blue just below. click that and attach you file. it helps if you know the file name before you click on it.

rut2nutranch
Member
# Posted: 16 Apr 2010 08:03pm
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1st pic is of the site where we are going to build the cabin. The rest of the pics are of the ranch.
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Moontreeranch
Member
# Posted: 24 Apr 2010 06:12pm
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I'd go with some simpson post brackets

http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/AB-ABA-ABE-ABU.asp

set your tubes at 3 feet, 1 foot above grade. Galv J bolt set in concrete...post bracket then is set with j bolt...this gives you some wiggle room.

you may need more than 6 for 12 x 32...that leaves 12 and 16 foot spans...

add another pier between those...

I set mine about 6 feet apart x 10 feet....and used built up beams to set I-joists

http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/6_169_1.html

Moontreeranch
Member
# Posted: 24 Apr 2010 06:13pm
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PS...we are at 8000 feet in Northern NM

whIteThunder
# Posted: 23 Aug 2010 04:00pm
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Always go 3 feet down in frost country with solid piers. Use Big Foot bottoms for great stability (& to meet building codes). There are other solutions, like rubble foundations if the digging is easy & rubble/rocks are available. Or dig over-sized shallow holes, insert hardware screen cylinder & fill cylinder with small rocks or large gravel to a foot above grade. The rock distributes the weight & drains away rain (a source of frost).

rut2nutranch
Member
# Posted: 28 May 2014 08:43pm - Edited by: rut2nutranch
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Sorry we have not posted any updates recently. We can say been busy! We are close to being complete
flooring
flooring
Walls and trusses
Walls and trusses
Roofing
Roofing
Porch
Porch


rut2nutranch
Member
# Posted: 28 May 2014 09:32pm - Edited by: rut2nutranch
Reply 


here are some inside pics.
Ceiling
Ceiling
Kitchen
Kitchen
Living room
Living room
Bathroom
Bathroom


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