ᐅ When are Pergolux point foundations load-bearing?

Created on: 27 Feb 2024 14:46
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Coletrickle_7808
Hello,

I have installed six pier foundations in several stages underneath our terrace. Two pergolas from Pergolux will be set up here.

The foundations measure 40x40 cm (16x16 inches) or 50x40 cm (20x16 inches) and are each about 50 cm (20 inches) deep. Below them is a gravel layer approximately 30 cm (12 inches) thick.

The oldest foundation is about 8 days old, the newest one 4 days.

In recent days, the temperature has been around 10°C (50°F), sometimes up to 14°C (57°F), but at night it has dropped to around 5°C (41°F).

When can I start assembling the Pergolux and secure it to the foundations? The attachment will be done using stainless steel (V4A) concrete screws. Each Pergolux weighs about 200 kg (440 lbs) fully assembled. The larger foundations each support both pergolas placed side by side.

Thank you very much.
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mwalt88
5 Mar 2024 13:08
WilderSueden schrieb:

I don't see a problem with that. Concrete doesn’t cure evenly; it sets quickly at first and then slows down. Masons often start working on the intermediate floor just 1-2 days after pouring the concrete.

I also think 85x85x85 mm (3.3x3.3x3.3 inches) is massively over the top. 40x40 mm (1.6x1.6 inches) should be sufficient, especially when 200 kilograms (440 pounds) are spread over several foundations. As for wind loads, that’s enough if it’s properly connected with the soil or gravel around it. For anything that expands outward, leave at least 10 cm (4 inches) clearance. Ideally, a bit more.

Did you set up your pergola directly attached to the house? In that case, you have to pour the foundation right next to the house, right? Also, wouldn’t it be difficult to maintain a 10 cm (4 inch) clearance that way?
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Coletrickle_7808
5 Mar 2024 13:14
What do you mean by a 10cm (4 inches) edge distance? Yes, the foundations were poured right next to the house…
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WilderSueden
5 Mar 2024 13:34
Our patio roof is screwed into the intermediate ceiling on the house side. With wooden houses, this is often not possible; in such cases, you need to plan in advance or provide posts at the house side.
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Coletrickle_7808
5 Mar 2024 20:34
But this has nothing to do with Pergolux or the foundations themselves, right?
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DerJesse
10 Mar 2024 16:57
Hello.
Sorry Coletickle, unfortunately I can’t contribute anything regarding the curing of the concrete. I’m using this thread to ask how you have handled or plan to handle the foundation and the installation of the Pergolux and terrace flooring? We have slabs on the terrace resting on a gravel bed. If we pour point foundations, attach the Pergolux directly to them, and then lay slabs on top again, I’m missing about 5cm (2 inches) and the rainwater drainage would go underneath the slabs. Will that work? Or does anyone have a better idea?
Thanks in advance.
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Coletrickle_7808
10 Mar 2024 17:03
That’s exactly how we did it. The foundations are just under 10cm (4 inches) below the top surface of the terrace slabs. These slabs are 4cm (1.5 inches) thick. So I’m 6cm (2.5 inches) below the bottom of the slabs. The support feet are 8mm (0.3 inches) thick, and the heads of the concrete screws are 1cm (0.4 inches).