Originally Posted By: wpedley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Well it looks like the ladder is tied off…
must be a OSHA job.   
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Mike Rose wrote:
You guessed it. It's a log.
But what kind of log ?? with out knowing the diameter, species and grade how can you say this is wrong, and you're getting perilously close to an engineering evaluation, don't let Rob Oconnor PE hear about this !!   
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
gbeaumont wrote:
But what kind of log ?? with out knowing the diameter, species and grade how can you say this is wrong, and you're getting perilously close to an engineering evaluation, don't let Rob Oconnor PE hear about this !!   
Man, you guys are busted ...   
Gerry ... I'm surprised you didn't recall the official engineering term for that, which is "structural wood pier" ...
And it really would depend on the weight being supported, any lateral transient loads, load combinations, pier diameter, wood species, and grade of the wood to accurately evaluate potential localized bearing overstress, compression failure, or possible lateral instability ... as well as the type and grade of the connectors to evaluate resistance using the Hankinson formulas and the NDS wood design standards ... and of course the thickness, condition, and compressive strength of the concrete and the mechanical soil properties to accurately evaluate bearing capacity using Terzaghi?s equations, and possible punching shear failure or bending overstress of the slab using ACI standards ...
Okay ? Well, maybe you wouldn?t be really familiar with Terzaghi?s equations, so see this link for a refresher ... ... CLICK HERE
(Duck)
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
I hate not having the appropriate tools, now can you tell me what the heel you use it for ?????   
Originally Posted By: dvalley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Wow,
Even though this post is propped on top of a tree trunk, I finally get to see a screw jack that isn't installed upside down. 
Gerry,
Tree experts use those augers to take core samples of tree trunks.
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Dave is pretty close. It is mostly used by forestry experts for boring a small diameter sample to check things like tree growth, and engineers use it sometimes to evaluate things like condition and species of wood members. The one I have is made my Suunto.
Instead of doing a full evaluation of that wood pier and slab, a PE could use "engineering judgment" to make the call, which might be something along the lines of ... "your kidding me, right" ... 
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: dbowers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Over the past 26 years of inspecting, I see handyman or homeowner solutions like that at least once a month. Many times they’re doing exactly what the handyman or homeowner intended them to do - and have been doing it for YEARS. BUT - without wasting anyof my time or without any types of forensic investigation, my typical comment would be:
"We noted that a TEMPORARY and handyman type of repair has been made to the support system in the basement of the house. We would recommend further evaluation by a licensed and competent ........ to determine if this addition to the support system is in fact needed, and if so what the PERMANENT repair should have been, and then install it".
If questioned by a realestator, seller etc (buyers never seem to question this - they seem to have a better grasp on it than sellers or relestators - wonder why??) as to my comments, my reply is:
"It is TEMPORARY because most of the time, a 5 pound sledge hammer and a very short swing or a swift kick of my boot will remove it".
