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Why Your New Barndominium Should Be Post Frame

Why Your New Barndominium Should Be Post Frame

For those who follow me – you know I am all about people loving their end results. As long as one has a fully engineered building they love, I couldn’t be more pleased, regardless of the structural system.

In My Humble Opinion – fully engineered post frame buildings are your best design solution in nearly every case. My exception would be if one desires a clearspan over 80′ or a very low slope roof – then I would recommend PEMB (red iron).

PEMBs do have some of their own unique challenges – a foundation engineer must be hired, they take lots of concrete and foundation bolts must be precision placed, Requires heavy lifting equipment to erect, when shell is done – have to frame a house inside. Thermal bridging is a concern and how does one hide those big steel frames?

But, what about stick frame?

Perhaps stick built construction’s biggest advantage is builders and tradespeople are very comfortable working in and around stick framing. All registered architects and most building inspectors are very familiar with stick framing. International Residential Code (IRC) provides a prescriptive ‘cook book’ to follow for adequate structural assembly, within certain limitations. These limitations include, but are not limited to, no story height of greater than 11 feet 7 inches (R301.3), no hurricane prone areas with a design wind speed of 130 mph or greater located south of Virginia, or 140 mph elsewhere (R301.2(5)B), and no ground snow loads over 70 psf (R301.2.3).

IRC802.10.2.1 further limits truss spans to a maximum of 36 feet and building lengths to 60 feet (measured perpendicular to truss span). Trussed roof slopes must be at least 3:12 and no greater than 12:12.

Want a 40’ x 72’ x 14’ shop/house barndominium? Sorry, outside of what IRC allows.

And because IRC tables cover up to a worst case scenario (given maximum design parameters), it creates overkill, wastefulness and redundant framing members. Translated to – it takes more pieces than might be necessary in a fully engineered structural system.

Fully engineered post frame buildings include foundation plans, PEMBs require one to hire another engineer to provide foundation design. Plan upon a grand or more just for PEMB foundation engineering and this can quickly escalate should a Geotechnical Engineer need to perform soils testing.

Post frame does not require precision placed anchor bolts, and requires no use of cutting torches or welding.

Post frame requires minimal concrete to resist settling, overturning and uplift. Any slabs on grade do not need to be thickened or have continuous footings/foundations.

Post frame can be erected D-I-Y without a need for heavy equipment (although I do appreciate a skid steer with an auger to dig holes). Any physically able bodied person, who can and will read step-by-step instructions can successfully erect their own beautiful post frame building.

Post frame has no highly conductive steel frames to thermally isolate and attempt to conceal.

Post frame is easily adaptable to more complex rooflines, and can be done in any combination of alphabet letter shapes. Fully engineered post frame can easily be erected over crawl spaces as well as full, partial or walkout basements.

When properly designed (with bookshelf wall girts), exterior walls are ready for wiring, insulation and interior finishes – no need to frame a home inside of a building shell.

Post frame provides deep wall insulation cavities and with raised heel trusses, any depth of attic insulation can be blown in above a finished ceiling.

Post frame can readily be done multi-story, with up to 40′ sidewalls and three stories (or 50′ and four stories with fire suppression sprinklers).

This entry was posted in Pole Barn Design, Post Frame Home, Pole Building Comparisons, Pole Buildings History, Barndominium, Pole Barn Structure, Trusses, Pole Barn Homes and tagged bookshelf wall girts, stick frame building, geotechnical engineer, PEMB building, stick frame design, barndominium, International Residential Code on July 15, 2025 by Rick Ochs.

Post Footing and Site Leveling

Post Footing and Site Leveling

Reader KEVIN in PAOLA writes:

“I’ve been working with Cory on my building design and had a question regarding leveling my site and setting my posts. The plan is a 40′ x 60′ building with a 17′ eave height. On the south side, there will be a 12′ attached shed that is open. Based on the elevations I’ve shot, I’ll have to add approximately 4′ of fill on the east end of the building and it gradually tapers all the way to the west end. Now, rock on the property is rather shallow. I dug a test hole on the east end which will require the most fill and the rock is about 2′ below native ground level. I’ve encountered solid limestone that is approximately 2′ thick when digging corner posts and I’ve found locations where the rock is fractured and can be dug out with an excavator. The county requires poles be installed at a minimum depth of 4′, but will allow 30″-40″ if due to rock and if the holes are backfilled with concrete.

· How would you design the foundation for the poles?
· Does the 4′ of backfill count when measuring post embedment?
· Would you set the posts first and then add the fill?
· Do you change post foundation design as you move from the deeper fill for elevation on the east end to fill on the west end that is replacing the top soil?
· Does the post foundation design change for the open shed on the south side?

I’m attaching the design doc from the county. Foundation information is listed on pages 8 and 9.

I hope all of this makes sense and thank you for the help.”

Thank you for reaching out to me. With your permission, I would like to treat your building as if it was my own (in other words, What Would the Pole Barn Guru Do?).

Project# 05-0211 Starting with your door end (which I will assume is uphill), I would add enough fill so this end could have holes dug to 40″, filling balance of site accordingly. All fill should be compacted in no less than six-inch lifts to a minimum of 90% of Modified Proctor Density (you may need to invest in a Geotechnical Engineer to verify compaction).

Foundation would be embedded columns to 40″ depth and would be same for all areas (our engineers will seal holes at 40″ depth) Properly compacted fill can be relied upon to be equal to undisturbed soil Fill first – it is so much easier than trying to work around columns.

On door end, you will want to grade away from doors, so water coming down hill does not end up running into your building.

This entry was posted in Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure, Footings, Professional Engineer, Columns, Pole Barn holes, Uncategorized, Pole Barn Design, Pole Building How To Guides and tagged post footing, site leveling, post frame foundation, site prep, geotechnical engineer, Modified Proctor Density, site slope on January 18, 2024 by admin.

Residential Pole Barn Foundation With Clay Soil

Best Residential Pole Barn Foundation with Clay Soil and High Water Table

Reader BOB in MOUNT PLEASANT writes:

“What would be the best type of pole barn foundation for ground that is primarily clay, and has a water table that is generally as shallow as 24″? We are looking to build a residential pole barn style structure on the property. Thanks so much for your consideration.”

Mike the Pole Barn Guru writes:
Here are seven clay types as defined by USDA:

Silt: 80 percent or more silt and less than 12 percent clay.

Sandy clay loam: 20 to 35 percent clay, less than 28 percent silt, and 45 percent or more sand.

Clay loam: 27 to 40 percent clay and 20 to 45 percent sand.

Silty clay loam: 27 to 40 percent clay and less than 20 percent sand.

Sandy clay: 35 percent or more clay and 45 percent or more sand.

Silty clay: 40 percent or more clay and 40 percent or more silt.

Clay: 40 percent or more clay, less than 45 percent sand, and less than 40 percent silt.

Only way to be sure of your clay soil composition is to have it tested. However, you can also make a good clay content in your soil by referencing nearby geotechnical reports.

For a quick informal on-site test, try grabbing a handful of soil and rolling it in your hand. If soil can be rolled into thin spaghetti-like shapes, it indicates a high clay content. If soil begins to fall apart as you roll it between your hands, it means there is a lower clay content.

My own particular site was once shallow lake bottom – probably closest to silty clay. In order to build upon it, we removed several feet of native soil, then built the site up using roughly five feet of compactable fill, in lifts of no greater than six inches. Exterior was graded to slope away from the building for 10 or more feet at a 5% or greater grade. As the site has a natural grade from left rear to front right, we should have also added french drains along left sidewall and rear endwall to divert underground water flow (although we have not experienced challenges with this over nearly 20 years of service). We used glu-laminated columns, embedded in ground, with concrete bottom collars and have had no column deterioration or movement problems.

Given your description of your site, a similar solution may prove adequate, however I would recommend you engage a professional Geotechnical Engineer to do a physical site evaluation and design a solution specific to your circumstances. Think of it as being a small investment towards success, rather than being an expense.

This entry was posted in Pole Barn Questions, About The Pole Barn Guru, Building Department, Constructing a Pole Building, Pole Barn Planning, Building Drainage, Professional Engineer, Barndominium and tagged silt, sandy clay loam, clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay, silty clay, geotechnical reports, geotechnical engineer, clay soil, high water table on October 24, 2023 by admin.

Planning a Post Frame Building Upon Sandstone

Reader GEORGE in FARMINGTON writes:

“Mike, in the early stages of planning a pole barn 32’x48’x12′ on a newly acquired piece of property. We’ve cleared the land and found the area we want to erect the building is 100% sandstone. Everywhere we’d have to drill for poles is sandstone as the ground in-between so the sandstone would be the base for the slab as well. Drills real easy but I’m getting conflicting stories from concrete contractors regarding the slab. One says we should “de-couple” the pad from the sandstone by spreading a layer of crushed stone between the sandstone and the slab while another says we should drill into the sandstone and epoxy rebar verticals into it then tie that rebar into the slab rebar. Really don’t know how to proceed as both of these guys appear to be authoritative in their opinions. The de-couple guy claims the sandstone could “heave” the slab up and crack it whereas the other guy says by epoxying vertical rebar to the horizontal rebar, we’ll avoid any issues. Help!”

Mike the Pole Barn Guru responds:

Thank you for reaching out to me. I have never before been faced with building upon sandstone, so I will give you a logical answer and then advice as to what I would do personally.

In regards to our “de-couple” guy’s advice, if the sandstone would heave your slab up on its own, placing a layer of crushed stone between sandstone and slab seemingly would not prevent slab movement in a “heave event”. Rock types such as bedrock, limestone, sandstone, shale and hard chalk have high bearing capacities. These are very strong and good for supporting foundations because of their stability and depth. As long as sandstone is level your slab will be well supported. My question to him would be more of, “What could possibly cause such a heave event?”

From my research, it appears concrete adheres well to sandstone as long as lime is not added to concrete mixture. This seemingly precludes epoxying rebar verticals into it to tie them together.

Now – what I would do. I would search out a Geotechnical Engineer in your area and broach this situation to him or her. This way you get an expert opinion and it should be a reasonably priced solution.

This entry was posted in Pole Barn Planning, Budget, Professional Engineer, Pole Barn Questions, Pole Barn Design, Constructing a Pole Building and tagged bedrock, geotechnical engineer, epoxy, limestone, sandstone, crushed stone, shale, hard chalk on January 11, 2022 by admin.

Why Your New Barndominium Should Be Post Frame

Post frame requires minimal concrete to resist settling, overturning and uplift. Any slabs on grade do not need to be thickened or have continuous footings/foundations.

When properly designed (with bookshelf wall girts), exterior walls are ready for wiring, insulation and interior finishes – no need to frame a home inside of a building shell.

Post frame provides deep wall insulation cavities and with raised heel trusses, any depth of attic insulation can be blown in above a finished ceiling.

Post frame can readily be done multi-story, with up to 40′ sidewalls and three stories (or 50′ and four stories with fire suppression sprinklers).

This entry was posted in Pole Barn Design, Post Frame Home, Pole Building Comparisons, Pole Buildings History, Barndominium, Pole Barn Structure, Trusses, Pole Barn Homes and tagged International Residential Code, bookshelf wall girts, stick frame building, geotechnical engineer, PEMB building, stick frame design, barndominium on January 4, 2022 by admin.

Rebar for Post Frame Concrete Slabs on Grade

Building with concrete involves many steps to achieve best results, including grading, forming, placing and finishing. One crucial step is placing reinforcing bars (rebar) correctly.

An engineer should do technical design work and provide specific information regarding sizes, configuration and placement of rebar. Slabs-on-grade for post frame buildings do not usually carry building loads, these are usually carried from roof and walls, through building columns to ground. This makes for far less complicated applications, unlike PEMBs (Pre-engineered Metal Buildings) or “weld ups” either being far more convoluted and beyond the skill level of all but experienced professionals.

For slab reinforcement, necessary rebar can usually be obtained from a big box store (like The Home Depot®) or your local building supply. Should your specific application be more involved, it may behoove having a fabricator supply rebar. A fabrication supplier can review your building’s engineered drawings and produce a shop drawing with details and identifying tags for each type of rebar to be used in your building. For simpler projects, your building plans should provide spacing requirements and bar sizes. Use these documents to determine where and what rebar is needed in individual locations.

Most often rebar is tied with annealed steel wire, either purchased in four pound bulk rolls, or if using a bag tie spinner, in bundles of pre-cut wire pieces with loops formed on both ends. Bulk rolls are easier for novices to use, however are slightly more expensive.

Prior to placing any rebar, grade and properly compact the ground after all grading and any utility rough-ins are completed. Make sure all compaction testing has been completed and you have your geotechnical engineer’s sealed report in hand before moving forward. Any termite pre-treated should be completed, as well as a moisture barrier installed.

As post frame construction places columns and splash planks prior to pouring your slab, this gives you ready made forms for your slab perimeter.

Determine the size of bars to be used in each direction and mark several of them with layout measurements in each direction (front-to-back and side-to-side). Bars can be marked with a soapstone marker, a paint pen, lumber crayon or even spray paint.

This will be an ordinary slab mat concrete, the force interacting with rebar during placement is minimal. As mat movement is unlikely, a simple single twist of wire around each rebar intersection, twisted together tightly will be adequate. This tie can be done easily with a pair of nine inch lineman’s pliers.

To use your pliers to tie these efficiently, pull feeding end from wire reel with your non-dominant hand (for sake of this article, we will call this your left hand, with pardons to lefties). Grip wire end with pliers in your right hand. Push wire behind (under) rebar at an intersection. Angle end towards where you will be grabbing it, reach from this side, grip it again with pliers, pull towards next location pulling enough slack to complete tie. Hold resistance on wire with left hand, so wire bends snugly against bar being wrapped, at each stage. Release wire so pliers can be used to grip it. Pull end around bar and twist two ends together, pulling wire with pliers so tie is tight.

Once mat is assembled it must be held in place so concrete will cover it completely. Rebar chairs or concrete brick are often used for this. Place these positioners close enough together so rebar will not sag enough to reduce desired coverage of concrete – usually about 1/3rd distance from bottom of slab.

Watch rebar configuration as concrete is placed. If shifting occurs, support rebar with a shovel or alter direction of concrete flow so force is applied in the opposite direction.

Use caution when working around exposed rebar. Construction workers have suffered serious injuries or been killed when falling on projecting rebar.

This entry was posted in Pole Barn Design, Pole Building How To Guides, Concrete, Professional Engineer and tagged annealed steel wire, Pre-engineered metal buildings, PEMBS, rebar hairpins, rebar, geotechnical engineer on November 29, 2019 by admin.

Stilt Post Frame on Permafrost

I have written previously about post frame design involving concrete slabs on grade in areas of permafrost: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2018/04/post-frame-permafrost/. Today we will venture into a land where “stilts” are a design solution.

Permafrost is loosely defined as soil and/or rock remaining frozen for more than two years. Big trees do not guarantee an absence of permafrost; it might just mean permanently frozen ground or ice is down far enough so soils in those spots can support a larger root system. Only way to be certain of what ground contains is to have a soils test drilling done.

With permafrost, a safe bet is to it avoid it altogether and move to another piece of land. This is easier said than done, particularly because of a scarcity of affordable buildable land. If you decide to build on permafrost, be as strategic as possible. Smaller and simpler structures will tend to fare better than larger, more complicated ones.

Minimal site disturbance is an accepted practice. Trees and ground cover are your best friend. They protect and insulate ground from summer’s heat. A great example is green moss you find on many shaded low-level areas. Moss has a high insulating value, and in many cases if you dig down a couple of feet, ground might still be frozen in middle of summer.

Strategies for construction on permafrost include:

As a general rule, organic layer of ground cover provides insulation and should not be removed, as this will increase risks of thawing any frozen ground underneath.
Elevate and properly insulate bottom of your post frame building to prevent floor system heat losses from reaching ground underneath, leading to thawing.
Use a thick gravel pad significantly wider than post frame building itself (also insulated if possible) to stabilize the ground and spread building loads.
Embed columns to a depth able to both support the structure and resist frost jacking from seasonal ground movement.
Cut trees sparingly to maximize site shading (while permitting for a fire break).
Build a wrap-around porch, which will help shade the ground around and underneath your post frame building.
Incorporate large roof overhangs to shed water away from building and provide shade.
Install gutters and manage site drainage well away from building.
Retain a geotechnical engineer familiar with local soil’s conditions to assist in designing a foundation system adequate to safely support your post frame building on soils specific to your site.
Septic systems also must be engineered to function on permafrost, and remember conventional systems might risk thawing the ground.

More information on permafrost is available at these websites:

U.S. Permafrost Association website: www.uspermafrost.org/education/PEEP/ptf-manuals.shtml
CCHRC library and website: www.cchrc.org/permafrost-technology-foundation-library
UAF Cooperative Extension Service online publications at www.uaf.edu/ces.

If you have a question, contact the Cold Climate Housing Research Center at info@cchrc.org or 1(907)457-3454.

This entry was posted in Pole Barn Design, Building Overhangs, Pole Building How To Guides, Pole Barn Planning, Concrete, Footings, Building Drainage, Columns and tagged geotechnical engineer, gravel pad, frost jacking, septic systems, gutters, roof overhangs on May 24, 2019 by admin.

Building Department Checklist 2019 Part II

BUILDING DEPARTMENT CHECKLIST 2019 PART II

Yesterday I covered seven of what I feel are 14 most important questions to ask your local building department. This not only will smooth your way through permitting processes, but also ensures a solid and safe building structure.

Let’s talk about these last seven….

#8 What is accepted Allowable Soil Bearing Capacity?

This will be a value in psf (pounds per square foot). If in doubt, err to side of caution. As a rough rule – easier soil to dig, weaker it will be in supporting a building. A new post frame building will only be as solid as it’s foundation, and it’s foundation will be only as strong as soil it rests upon.

Some jurisdictions (most noticeably in California and Colorado) will require a soils (geotechnical) engineer to provide an engineered soil report, spelling out actual tested soil strength. Other states may have requirements as well, so be sure to ask ahead of time.

#9 Is an engineered soils test required?

If so, get it done ahead of time. Don’t wait. It’s easy to do and there are plenty of soil (geotechnical) engineers for hire.

#10 What is your Seismic Category (such as A, B, C, D-1, D-2)?

While rarely do potential seismic forces dictate design of a post frame building, there are instances where they can. A high seismic potential, with high flat roof snow load and low wind load will be one case. Other case will be when you are considering a multiple story structure.

#11 Are wet-stamped engineer signed and sealed structural plans required to acquire a permit?

Some Building Department Officials will say no to this, yet during plans review process they request structural engineering calculations to prove design, or (worse yet) they make wholesale changes to plans, based upon how they think a post frame should be constructed.

Hansen Pole Riding Arena My recommendation – invest in engineered plans. It becomes an assurance a registered design professional has verified your building will meet Code mandated loading requirements. In some cases, insurance companies offer discounts for buildings designed by an engineer. It’s certainly worth asking your agent for one!

In some cases, Building Permits will be granted with only requiring engineer sealed truss drawings. We do not condone this practice, as it creates a false sense of security.

Are exterior finished (showing roofing and siding) elevations required with building plans? Will more than two sets of drawings be needed for permit submittal?

#12 Verify Building Risk Category.

Most buildings not frequently occupied by public (not a home, business or municipal building) represent a low hazard to human life in event of a failure and are ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) Category I. This information can be found by Building Officials in IBC Table 1604.5 (not to be confused with Use and Occupancy classifications from IBC Chapter 3).

#13 In areas with cold winters, is frost depth greater than 40”?

All building columns or foundations must extend below frost line to prevent heave. We don’t design for any depth less than 40”, and have designed for up to seven feet deep in some areas!

#14 Does the Building Department have any unusual Building Code interpretations, amendments or prescriptive requirements for non-engineered buildings which could affect this building?

If so, get a copy from your building department for us, or anyone else whom might be considered to be a provider for your building project.

Even though “the Code is The Code”, there are a plethora of local folks who think they have better ways or better ideas than world’s smartest structural minds, who have actually written the Code. And once again, I can’t stress enough: build only from plans sealed by a Registered Design Professional (architect or engineer). It will make life easier all around when it comes to getting your permit, even if you have been told seals are “not required”.

No one inside or outside of a permit office wants a construction process to be any more difficult or challenging than necessary. Being armed with correct information (after doing homework of course) will be a solid step in the right direction.

This entry was posted in Pole Barn Design, Building Department, Pole Barn Planning and tagged building department, frost depth, engineered plans, building risk category, soil bearing capacity, geotechnical engineer, seismic category on January 31, 2019 by admin.

Acquire a Building Permit First

You want a new pole barn, so you put together some plans, order up some materials, have them delivered and start building. In all of this excitement something was overlooked – acquiring a Building Permit!

Reader SHELBY in COLORADO writes:

“Hello,

My name is Shelby, my father and I are trying to build a pole barn and they are saying we need a ground inspection and trusses report to say that it can handle so much wind and snow! We have the building plan and started having all the materials delivered but we can’t get a building permit till we get these two inspections! I was wondering if that is something you could possibly help us with or if you know someone who could! So we could get this permit!”

It appears you have placed a proverbial cart before the horse. Before even contemplating any building project there are a pair of conversations you should have with proper authorities. First of these will be to your Planning Department: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2013/01/planning-department-3/, second to your Building Department: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2013/01/building-department-checklist/.

Your Building Department wants an engineered soils report for your site, not an unusual request in much of Colorado, as there are some fairly unstable soils. You will need to contact a Registered Professional Engineer in your area who specializes in geotechnical work (Google – Geotechnical Engineers near me). They will visit your site and do an analysis to determine if it is even capable of being built upon. With this report in hand you can then take this soils report and your proposed building plans to yet another RDP (Registered Design Professional – architect or engineer) who can prepare a set of sealed drawings for your building. “Truss report” being asked for are engineer sealed drawings for prefabricated trusses you will be utilizing to support your building’s roof. You will need to provide your RDP sealed plans to your choice of truss providers, so they can design trusses adequate to support loads detailed within your sealed plans.

Sadly, you may have already invested in some materials you will be unable to use in construction of a properly designed building. All of these reasons are why I always encourage clients to invest in a complete post frame (pole barn) building package from a supplier who can provide engineer sealed plans specifically for your building, along with correct materials delivered to your site – it could have saved you a significant amount of heartache, as well as money.

This entry was posted in Pole Barn Questions, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure, Professional Engineer and tagged soils report, building department, planning department, Registered Professional Engineer, geotechnical engineer on November 14, 2018 by admin.

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Tag Archives: geotechnical engineer

Why Your New Barndominium Should Be Post Frame

Post Footing and Site Leveling

Residential Pole Barn Foundation With Clay Soil

Planning a Post Frame Building Upon Sandstone

Why Your New Barndominium Should Be Post Frame

Rebar for Post Frame Concrete Slabs on Grade

Stilt Post Frame on Permafrost

Building Department Checklist 2019 Part II

Acquire a Building Permit First

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