Hi all, Compared to some of the amazing information I have seen here I
think this one should be a snap

I am looking to support a 8-man hot tub. The tub weighs about 1000
pounds empty and holds 530 Canadian gallons of water. So with people
plus a safety factor I figure about 8,500 lbs.

I want to support this on four adjustable points.

Here’s what I have so far….

It has a 90" X 90" footprint and I built a platform 90" square using
pressure treated 2X6 studs at 12" centers. It also has a double 2X6
plate at each end. I covered the platform with 5/4"X6"X8’
pressure treated deck boards with 1/4 inch spacing. Two screws at each
joist.

This gives me 56.25 sf to support the weight. It works out o be 150
psf…any comments so far on the platform??? I guess this would
depend on where the supporting beams were to be placed…read on.

I have four concrete blocks, each 8" X 8" X 16". When viewed from top
you see 8x16. I drilled a 1 1/4 inch hole vertical though the
8” and plan to use four 6 inch pieces of 1” threaded rod
as the adjusting points. I have placing a steel plate on top of each
block (with a hole in it to match the hole in the block) and most of
the rod will be inside this hole with it being supported by the
shoulder of a nut on the steel plate. I can then use the nut at each
corner to jack up or let down the tub.

I guess you figured out what part I am missing…I have not yet
figured out what to place between the rods and the platform. I am
planning on using two beams. Either wood or steel but because I am
getting pretty high I would prefer a lower profile option. I was
thinking of using two 4” I-beams 90” long and then weld
the rod onto the I-beams 12” in from each side. Then place the
beams under the joists about 12” from each end. If I did my
calculations right each beam should have to support a weight of 566
plf….comments?

I have two I-beams now but fear they are not really strong enough as
they are a lot lighter then some I have seen and I don’t have
any specs. The beams only weigh about 5lbs a foot.

I might have access to some 4” beams that are a heavier (about 9
lbs a foot)

So I invite comments on any part of my plans. But being that it is all
completed except the choice of the two support beams my specific
question would be What is the minimum size of steel beam or wooden
beam I could use if I only use two beams and if I support them in each
of two OR three places.

Thanks in advance, Kelly

wrote in message
news
On 27 Jun 2003 13:29:00 -0700, (Kelly)
wrote:

Hi all, Compared to some of the amazing information I have seen here I
think this one should be a snap


Why does it need to be adjustable at all?

BB

maybe to level it, if it settles? I got lost reading this one ,seems that it
must sound alot more complecated than it realy is.

wrote in message
news
On 27 Jun 2003 13:29:00 -0700, (Kelly)
wrote:

Hi all, Compared to some of the amazing information I have seen here I
think this one should be a snap


Why does it need to be adjustable at all?

BB

maybe to level it, if it settles? I got lost reading this one ,seems that it
must sound alot more complecated than it realy is.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
igy.com...


"Kelly" wrote in message

I am looking to support a 8-man hot tub.


Are you in San Francisco? Are you gonna let ANY wimmin in there?

Steve

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
igy.com...


"Kelly" wrote in message

I am looking to support a 8-man hot tub.


Are you in San Francisco? Are you gonna let ANY wimmin in there?

Steve

wrote in message
...
On Sat, 28 Jun 2003 08:58:04 -0700, "dipodomys deserti"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 28 Jun 2003 01:15:17 GMT, "gg"
wrote:


wrote in message
news On 27 Jun 2003 13:29:00 -0700, (Kelly)
wrote:

Hi all, Compared to some of the amazing information I have seen
here I
think this one should be a snap


Why does it need to be adjustable at all?

BB


maybe to level it, if it settles?

If that is the reason, then it's the absolutely wrong thing to do. A
properly
installed tub will not settle. What the origional poster is proposing
will
cause
far more problems than it will solve.

BB

Lemme see ................. 600# for the spa. 500 gallons at 7.5# per
gallon, that's 3750#. That's 4,350#. C'mon. What makes you think just
a
little over two tons will settle? And what is the problem with a little
settling, other than the plumbing won't work right, the pipes will break
and
leak, and the fiberglass will crack? No biggie.


As I said, a properly installed tub will not settle. Does your house need
an
adjustable foundation? It's a heck of a lot heavier than any hot tub.

BB


I used to have an account that was an apartment project. It was settling.
Seriously. They had an outfit from California come in and hydraulically
inject an epoxy mix under the foundations. They were able to level it out
pretty darn good. That would be a case of leveling after installation. But
I agree with you that an adjustable foundation would be an unusual thing.
Maybe on a houseboat ................ or a tin can ................

Steve

wrote in message
...
On Sat, 28 Jun 2003 08:58:04 -0700, "dipodomys deserti"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 28 Jun 2003 01:15:17 GMT, "gg"
wrote:


wrote in message
news On 27 Jun 2003 13:29:00 -0700, (Kelly)
wrote:

Hi all, Compared to some of the amazing information I have seen
here I
think this one should be a snap


Why does it need to be adjustable at all?

BB


maybe to level it, if it settles?

If that is the reason, then it's the absolutely wrong thing to do. A
properly
installed tub will not settle. What the origional poster is proposing
will
cause
far more problems than it will solve.

BB

Lemme see ................. 600# for the spa. 500 gallons at 7.5# per
gallon, that's 3750#. That's 4,350#. C'mon. What makes you think just
a
little over two tons will settle? And what is the problem with a little
settling, other than the plumbing won't work right, the pipes will break
and
leak, and the fiberglass will crack? No biggie.


As I said, a properly installed tub will not settle. Does your house need
an
adjustable foundation? It's a heck of a lot heavier than any hot tub.

BB


I used to have an account that was an apartment project. It was settling.
Seriously. They had an outfit from California come in and hydraulically
inject an epoxy mix under the foundations. They were able to level it out
pretty darn good. That would be a case of leveling after installation. But
I agree with you that an adjustable foundation would be an unusual thing.
Maybe on a houseboat ................ or a tin can ................

Steve

Seems there is some interest in my design. I appreciate all the
comments they helped me in my decisions but I still went with most of
my original design. So far it seems to be working great! No noticable
side to side movment at all.

In case any-one is interested I will describe it from the ground up. I
also took alot of pictures so I might share them if any of you are
interested email me.

OK started with four holes about two feet square and filled them with
crushed rock. Placed an 8" by 8" by 16" concrete block on top of the
rock and then a 1/2" steel plate on top of each block to distribute
the wieght evenly. the plate and the concrete block have a hole
through the center. then I used a 1" rod six inches long and welded
that to another steel plate that I lag bolted to the bottom of a 6" by
6" by 8' wooden timber. So now each end of two timbers are have a
threded rod sticking out that I slid into the steel plate and blocks.
Now on top of the two timbers I placed my 7.5' by 7.5 foot platform
and on top of that my tub. Like I said it works great it's semi
portable. No piles to pour and as the ground shifts I adjust my tub to
keep it level.

Questions any-one? I think some of my other posts replaced by
mesurments with some goofy &#t665 symbols sory bout that hope they
come across good this time?

Hey if no one questioned the norm or the standard way to do it then we
would never invent anything new now would we?

Kelly

Sorry for the poor spelling I am in a hurry and better get back to
work.