Garden swing

[Yorky1]

This is the end result of a swing I've had made.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/Kilnadrain/P1060337.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/Kilnadrain/P1060336.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/Kilnadrain/P1060335.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/Kilnadrain/P1060334.jpg


The posts have metal reinforcement rods stapled to them and are submerged in concrete.

The tops of the vertical poles are dished and the horizontal top pole is attached via three screws each: two 240mm long and one 270mm long.

There is visible movement in the poles when the swings are in use and you can really feel the movement when on them. The poles are securely concreted in and the movement is above-ground only.

Have now put metal strapping over the top pole for added fixing security.

I'm also getting struts put either side of the uprights.

Can anyone give me a definitive answer as to what height the struts should be and how far out from the uprights? Really need to know this so can finally rectify this problem.

 

[Trazor]

None of your images are available to view.

 

[seco services]

delete

 

[kevplumb]

you need to make the album public

 

[Yorky1]

Fixed the links now - apologies.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

There is visible movement in the poles

The poles are securely concreted in

Part of your post is incorrect, how can they be securely concreted in if there is movement? Or are you saying the posts are bending?

 

[Trazor]

The flexing of the wood is no real problem, and will give a softer feel to the swing when in use.

The weakest part of your goalpost design, is where it immediately comes out of the concrete.
I would fix diagonal struts 1/3 of the way up your posts, to prevent wear/cracking against the concrete, and I would allow the top 2/3rds to flex.

 

[masona]

The tops of the vertical poles are dished and the horizontal top pole is attached via three screws each: two 240mm long and one 270mm long.

I'm assuming the top post is approx 150mm dia, so the screws are only 90mm into the post(?) may need to use scrapping metal band over it

 

[IJWS15]

Do the wooden posts go into the concrete? if so how far?

Or

Are the re-enforcing bars only set in the concrete? and how many bars per post?

How deep was the hole you put the concrete in?



Agree with the point about banding at the top, screws in line with the grain do not have much strength. But his has nothing to do with the flexing.

 

[Yorky1]

Thanks for the replies. I asked for the top of the posts to be sealed with the bitumen-based paint also as they are 'dished' and therefore a water trap. I noticed the other day that the top of one of them had only been coated in spray paint rather than the bitumen paint.

Will this have the same sealing effect as trowel mastic?

 

[masona]

Having bitumen on top could be dangerous on a hot day melting dripping tar, best to use tube sealant