Hi!
I'm planning to build an outdoor gym in the garden where I plan to do chin-ups and muscle-ups. I'll be constructing it with pressure-treated beams, but I'm not sure how to secure them in the ground. The pressure-treated beams (95x95) will be 2.5m tall.
Option 1 is to set the beam in concrete.
Option 2 is to cast post shoes in concrete and screw the beams in place.
I believe that using post shoes might make it too unstable, but I'm not really sure how to calculate it. Do you know how I should calculate it, and which option do you think would work best?
I'm planning to build an outdoor gym in the garden where I plan to do chin-ups and muscle-ups. I'll be constructing it with pressure-treated beams, but I'm not sure how to secure them in the ground. The pressure-treated beams (95x95) will be 2.5m tall.
Option 1 is to set the beam in concrete.
Option 2 is to cast post shoes in concrete and screw the beams in place.
I believe that using post shoes might make it too unstable, but I'm not really sure how to calculate it. Do you know how I should calculate it, and which option do you think would work best?
We have a swing/climbing frame that I built myself.J joelclaesson said:
The first 4 posts are anchored with ground screws and it is stable.
But last summer I extended the frame a bit, and then I dug a hole and cast the post in concrete, it becomes significantly more stable.
No. Not if you use pressure-treated, that's the whole idea.rock_fc said:
Screw in double coarse terminal irons. Never embed wood. It rots. It just takes a little longer if it's pressure-treated. Then you end up with a concrete lump studded with toxic waste.
It is then the nature of the ground that determines how stable it will be. If you have, like us, substantial clay soil, large concrete foundations and lots of sand/gravel around them are needed. The soil can indeed become concrete-hard on the surface in the summer, but in the winter (+ spring & fall) when the ground is wet, it is as stable as quicksand.
It is then the nature of the ground that determines how stable it will be. If you have, like us, substantial clay soil, large concrete foundations and lots of sand/gravel around them are needed. The soil can indeed become concrete-hard on the surface in the summer, but in the winter (+ spring & fall) when the ground is wet, it is as stable as quicksand.
Thousands of buildings are constructed in this way in other parts of the world. It's certainly not something we should aspire to since it eventually rots, but it proves that as long as one chooses the right timber, it lasts a good while. Certainly longer than the normal lifespan of an outdoor gym and climbing frame.
I would probably not pour concrete at all for such a construction. It's more for permanent structures with potentially high load that you want to use a post or slab. The risk is also that in ten years it will not be used or you want to use the space for something else, and then you're left digging up the posts.
Either a ground frame or Metpost, both will be stable enough for a chin-up bar. If you choose a ground frame, you can drive a few 2"3 in the corners and screw into the frame.
I would probably go with Metpost or alternatively drive the posts directly into the ground depending on the soil. Probably the fastest and cheapest option.
Either a ground frame or Metpost, both will be stable enough for a chin-up bar. If you choose a ground frame, you can drive a few 2"3 in the corners and screw into the frame.
I would probably go with Metpost or alternatively drive the posts directly into the ground depending on the soil. Probably the fastest and cheapest option.
Last edited:
95x95.Klaugust said:
I still believe the best way is to cast the post in concrete in the ground, alternatively like Marsman80's option with a deep hole with macadam.
There's quite a high load on such a construction, the height of the posts and swinging forces, it can't be compared to, for example, a deck.
Built an outdoor gym for pull-ups/muscle-ups, used posts. Dug extra large holes for the posts so I could fit the post + 3 bags of coarse concrete. The rig became super stable. As many others say, don't cast wood in concrete even if it's pressure-treated because it will rot sooner or later.
So you bought ready-made 500/700mm bases which you placed in holes and then had concrete over them?H Huset81 said:
I will attach my frame to a facade wall. Does that provide enough stability so that the foundation isn't too important? I'm worried about instability if I just set down bases and screw the beams with post bases above ground but also don't want to do more than necessary for this frame as it won't be there forever.
If you attach to the wall and the pillar, it will be stable. I attached mine to the joists for the patio and with metal brackets to the facade, it doesn't budge. Without attachment to the facade, my posts (95 mm) swayed quite a bit when tilting PU. With securing against the facade, it was solved.O olsjo said: