timber posts in concrete

[david c w]

We have timber posts (100x100mm hardwood) supporting our rear deck; possibly, originally set in stirrups above concrete level as per normal; the stirrups are now below the concrete level; as concrete was poured beneath the decking; is there any way to ensure the integrity of the posts without major alterations (they're 100x100mm hardwood)
(i.e. the bottom of the timber posts are now encased in the new concrete - but there is still 1.5 m of post above concrete level)

[boo]

"Possibly" originally set in stirrups? So you don't know what's under the concrete or how the far post extends beneath it?

The fact that they are hardwood is good, but "ensuring" the integrity is tricky without knowing the foundation - they won't fall down or rot quickly, but you don't know that they independently have strong lateral resistance (i.e. strength against horizontal forces).

So, just don't remove any existing lateral support (like the house ;) ) or bracing.

[david c w]

the stirrups are just below the surface of the concrete (maybe 100 mm) yes the posts are hardwood;
I was thinking of fixing a galvo steel post against the timber - maybe dyna-bolting (?) via a base-plate to the existing concrete surface; acting as a sort of splint to help take the weight

anyway, the posts seem very sound at the moment; I hit them with a hammer every few weeks to monitor any rot (close to the base)

[boo]

to help take the weight

unnecessary, unless the original stirrup/pad was poorly designed and/or faulty/broken (even so, probably still unnecessary)


every few weeks

every year, but if the post base is practically encased in concrete it'll be good for a very long time.

*EDIT* UNLESS, there's a gap around post base that can collect and hold water. This is a much less than ideal arrangement... maybe take a picture?

[david c w]

probably not as big a problem as first thought; the posts hardly get wet; they're encased in the concrete; hardly any water gets into the area (except when hosing under the house etc) they're the middle posts; so there's still plenty of support from the posts at the extremities (hard to explain this type of stuff sometimes; but sounds like most have got the idea of the situation) - thanks for the tips so far; you've put our minds at ease for a while)