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Keith-in-Texas
member
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 21
Loc: Stephenville, TX
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I currently plan to pour a large footing and a short concrete column which will be level to the top of the deck onto which the observatory will be built. To the column I will attach either a Pier-Tech 2 pier or a steel pier.
I'm trying to decide if I will just fill a large hole and short sonotube with rebar and concrete or if I will use one of the column footing forms and sonotube and then backfill with soil the area not occupied by concrete and rebar.
I would be really interested to hear from any of you who have used the plastic footing forms in conjunction with a sonotube for your pier support. I'm looking for both positive and negative experiences.
FYI, the pier will be located in Central Texas where the frost line is not very deep.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Best regards,
Keith
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Keith Parker
Starmaster 20" w/ GoTo & Tracking
Celestron C9.25
TEC 140
SV90TBV
Losmandy GM-8 mount
Pentax XW and Televue eyepieces
Mallincam Hyper Color camera
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Spoonsize
Vendor/Clothing
Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 3279
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I prefer the "fill the hole and short sonotube" method. This leads to less settling of dirt and the undisturbed soil negates the possibility of the whole thing tipping sideways over time.
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Steve Durham
www.margesmonograms.com
(Marge made me do it)
"Nobody get's in to see the WIZARD, Not Nobody, Not Nohow"
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Pedestal
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/11/06
Posts: 3844
Loc: Smoggy Bottom, Baytown,Texas
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The only time you need the forms is when the ground is not suitable for drilled bell holes.
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Hubert
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www.smoggybottom.org
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andyschlei
sage
Reged: 03/05/06
Posts: 374
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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We poured the concrete directly into the ground, but also surrounded the footing with cinderblocks. This made it easier to build up the pier base to the point where the sonotube started. Here is the base being set:
And here is the full pier footing with the sonotubes still on. They were removed later.
Clicking on either picture will bring you to the construction picture gallery.
--Andy
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Observatorio de la Ballona
Mar Vista
Lake Riverside Estates
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SometimesKen
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 503
Loc: Bad Moon Observatory
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I followed Pier-Techs suggestion and made the pier form 18" X 18" Works great !!
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As the setting sun / melts below the horizon / the stars applaud her bow. ~W. Terrance~
Bad Moon Observatory - February 1, 2007
39° 54' N - 74° 09' W
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Keith-in-Texas
member
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 21
Loc: Stephenville, TX
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Many thanks to all who have answered, your knowledge and direct experiences are very helpful.
Best regards,
Keith
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Keith Parker
Starmaster 20" w/ GoTo & Tracking
Celestron C9.25
TEC 140
SV90TBV
Losmandy GM-8 mount
Pentax XW and Televue eyepieces
Mallincam Hyper Color camera
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SometimesKen
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 503
Loc: Bad Moon Observatory
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Hi Keith,
Just a little additional info. - I considered using a sono-tube but was concerned that the J-bolts would be close to the wall of a sono-tube and not have much "meat" to bite into. So I followed Pier-Techs instructions and went with a 18 X 18 form instead.
BTW - the Pier Tech 2 is great especially for using different types of scopes.
Good Luck
Ken
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As the setting sun / melts below the horizon / the stars applaud her bow. ~W. Terrance~
Bad Moon Observatory - February 1, 2007
39° 54' N - 74° 09' W
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