[TheForge] Gate Sag Problem

Tue Feb 4 08:28:00 2003

First of all, GREAT GATE!!!
Regarding the dreaded column lean problem.
All my Civil Engineering buddies tell me to use half the total height for depth of a column under ground, especially with a heavy cantilevered load. 

Estimating the height of the column as between 10 - 12 FT they might point to that as the problem. 

Your described solution, however sounds like it should provide significant enough lateral support to avert further sag issues.

> 
> From: mike wolfe <[email protected]>
> Date: 2003/02/04 Tue AM 08:02:42 EST
> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
> Subject: [TheForge] Gate Sag Problem
> 
> While theforge was shut down this weekend I asked this question to the
> artmetal people and got some good information.
> Now that theforge is back on I would love to have your input!!
> 
> 
> I have a stone, cement, and steel support column that is 24 in. x 24 in.
> square and 12 ft. tall. It is supporting one side of a heavy gate, my
> guess between 450 to 550 lbs.
> 
> This is a free standing column and the base underground is 36 in. square
> and 48 in. deep.
> In the center of the stone column is a 6 in square tube x 1/4 in. thick
> wall. There are three 6 x6 x 1/4 by
> 9 inch long horizontal arms, welded to the vertical, there is a 8 in. x
> 8 in. x 3/4 inch. plate welded to these three arms. The three barrel
> hinges that support the gate are welded to the plates.
> 
> The whole thing was then filled with cement including the steel tube
> inside the column.
> 
> I was out at the site last week and noticed that the spacing  was
> getting closer at the top. This would indicate the dreaded gate sag
> problem.
> 
> Using a smart digital level  and a smart digital  protractor and  I have
> determined that I an not getting the dreaded gate sage problem, "but"  I
> am getting the dreaded column lean problem.
> 
> The column is leaning towards the gate about 1/2 degree.
> I wonder what will happen after all the frost heave this spring?
> 
> I think I have figured out how to fix the problem by drilling through
> the left column and adding plates and bolts and then drilling through
> the very far left column. I would then put a turn buckle system in
> between the the two columns, hidden behind the horizontal  bar with the
> gold spikes on the "man" gate section. I then would connect a turn
> buckle system to a steel post sunk into the ground behind the brick
> retaining wall at very far left in the picture.
> 
> Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> I am placing a photo in photo access for theforge in the "work category"
> named "Wolfe gate"
> 
> Thank you
> Mike Wolfe
> 
> 
> 
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