Helppp need to reinforce coop foundation!

[Ted Brown]

The coop is 8' by 10'.

I would go with two 2" by 6" just to make the beam wider and easier to hold in place.

 

[kmpcfp]

Is that back 2x6 using the tree stump as a footer, or is that just an illusion? If so, jack it and put a block under it.

That's an illusion, the stump is not touching the structure.

Should I attach a secondary beam to those back posts as well as the center beam?

I would attach with carriage bolts and a Simpson djt14z (it's made to attach a beam to the side of a post).

 

[Ted Brown]

You could attach a beam on the back as well but I suggest that cross braces top to bottom on both posts (ie an X) could be a good alternative to a beam in that location. You may have already done this, you made a comment above about diagonal braces I think.

You are not dealing with a lot of weight so I think with a middle beam stability overall is what's needed. You could use 2" by 4"s for the braces, less expensive than another beam.

 

[archeryrob]

Your span, the 2x6 over length, needs more support. You can;

• Add a center beam
• Add a 2x4 support to each span in the center.
  
• Live with it and hope the spans do not fail (not the best option)

Its just a chicken coop, but you don't want to have it fail either. You noticed the bowing of the beam. Just bracing the center of the beam will making it 4 times stronger. Be it a center beam, concrete blocks under the 2x6, 2x4 as a brace. Just anything to stiffen that 2x6 and relive its load over the length. Your span is too long if you notice sagging.

By "back post" I am not sure what you mean. If its is supported beg=hind the tree stump, you are fine. The over hang in the picture needs a pots on each corner. The over hand should be to the front and not the side. Those 2x4's are doing nothing for that 2x6 out there alone. If that is the board sagging, that is why.

 

[archeryrob]

Ok, I saved your image. The blue line is good support and this is the direction it should over hang. Your over hang should head to that tree, not the left.But, it would need a beam for the center joists between posts. This might be confusing things. Theory vs. reality.

The red area is completly unsupported except on the very ends. Nothing supports the center. If this if the only joist sagging, just support it in the center. Are the others fine?Is this one board where you are sagging. or all over? I am thinking it is just this one.

The green is the only supprt for the outer edge of the 2' on the left side. Those 2x4's aren't doing anything except stiffening the floor boards.

 

[Ted Brown]

@archeryrob makes a very good point. I keep forgetting that one of the back corners has no support whatsoever.

I think he has suggested another vertical post to support that corner or bracing per his post above (not sure as he uses the word "beam" interchangeably I think).

Whatever, he is thinking about your best interests not just blowing hot air.

 

[kmpcfp]

Here's what I did. I couldn't jack it up any farther without lifting the existing posts out of the ground. The left back one started to. Only the visible outside joist and one of the center joists are touching the beam. I shimmed the others with a piece of shingle. I still see a slight bow, but it is better.

 

[Ted Brown]

That is a way better than it was, GREAT JOB!!!!

I see a beam across the middle and those braces on the back verticals will be way more stable. You should be able to rest east.

Hard to see, it looks like only one 2" by 6" under the middle? You may want to consider another vertical post in the middle of the beam, not critical but every little bit helps.

Bravo!

 

[archeryrob]

Looks good, way stronger than it was before. It is a chicken cooop and not a house. The load internally will be minimal.

Enjoy.