Replies

1. 
   BossHog | Sep 25, 2003 08:22pm | #1

   No way would I go with bolting to hold up a loft - Unless it were pretty danged small.

   Hay can weight up to 10# per cubic foot. Multiply that out by how high you can stack it and you've got your load per square foot of floor area. Then add about 10 PSF for dead load. Then you can start figuring out how much load you have on each post and/or beam.

   I think you need to put in special posts and footings for this, along with a serious floor system. This isn't like a typical residental floor.

   Someone said that Bill Clinton deserves a lot of credit for creating 10 million new jobs. Who knew they'd all be special counsels? [Rep. Henry J. Hyde]

2. 
   fredsmart48 | Sep 26, 2003 12:00am | #2

   How do most pole barn builders deal with this?  

   They hire and structural engineer to run the numbers.  

   For you look on your plans that you have for your pole barn.  If you don't have any plans you do what the builders of pole barns do and  hire a structural engineer.

3. 
   stonebm | Sep 26, 2003 12:38am | #3

   I agree with the other responses.  There's a number of things to consider, one of which obviously is the load from the bales.  I'm assuming you're trying to avoid having supports beneath the loft, which is probably how most lofts are constructed.  It may be possible to do that but there's not enough detail in your post to determine how you intend to frame things.  For instance, you mention a ledger along the barn wall.  I assume this will support one end of the loft.  How is the other end of the loft (the end that is farthest away from the wall of the barn) going to be supported?  I would think you'd need supports under it.

   Regarding the use of bolts, that's really more of a detail that no one here can intelligently reply to because we don't have the framing plans in front of us.  I wouldn't categorically say that bolts won't work.  Steel is mighty strong and there's a wide range of bolt diameters to pick from out there.  The adequacy of your framing design can only be assessed by someone looking at the whole framing plan and who knows what they're doing.

4. 
   kaorisdad | Sep 26, 2003 12:39am | #4

   As an engineer, I suggest you hire one.  The engineer will assess the existing structure which depends on the size and spacing of the posts (and the foundation).  My guess is that unless the original structure was designed with the intention of having a loft added, it will not be sufficient to carry the additional loads.  I suspect a separate, independent structural system will have to be designed for your loft.

   Your local building department will require you to hire one anyways.

5. 
   SamT | Sep 26, 2003 12:56am | #5

   Sure man, just be sure and use 3"dia, grade 8 aircraft rated bolts with fender washers 16" OC.

   SamT

   "You will do me the justice to remember that I have always strenuously supported the right of every man to his opinion, however different that opinion may be to mine. He who denies to another this right, makes a slave of himself to his present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing it."   Thomas Paine

6. 
   Expresso | Sep 26, 2003 10:35pm | #6

   thanks for all your feedback

   chris