This is topic Foundations for big pole signs...help? in forum Letterhead/Pinstriper Talk at The Letterville BullBoard.


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Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
 
I need some help trying to find how big of a concrete foundation one would need for a sign that is 5'x10' and 15 feet off the ground(single pole).

Is there some kind of a chart that shows the size of foundations of high rise signs?

Thanks in advance! [Smile]
 
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
 
Dave, Glenn Taylor posted some past issues of sign craft that had the charts. I can't remember the issues, if you don't have them e-mail me and I'll be happy to copy them for you.

Do a search for glenn's post it wasnt that long ago.
 
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
 
I believe it was issue 55 & 58

[ January 17, 2006, 07:52 AM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
 
Posted by Teresa Bostic (Member # 6214) on :
 
My chart shows-
circular footing 2' round, 6' deep .7 yds concrete
rectangular - 4'X6'X2' deep 1.8 yds concrete

My charts are pretty old, but they haven't failed me yet. Also, if ever you run into to the issue of stamped engineered drawings being required for permitting reasons there is a great firm in Knoxville, Tn that can do them for about $150. You can find them on the web. Micheal Brady, Arch.
 
Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
 
It was my understanding that you had to use an engineer who is licensend in the state that you are putting up the sign.

Is this guy licensed in every state? [Smile]
 
Posted by Tim Whitcher (Member # 685) on :
 
I don't know much about this subject, but it's my understanding that you have to take into account the type of soil (sand, clay, gravel etc.).
 
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
 
Most states go by the National Standard Building Code (I think thats the Proprer Name) But I do know in our area it does have to be Wet Stamped by a State Licensed engineer to meet Exposure C with windload to 85mph.
 
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
 
In my neck of the woods...about 3 yards of concrete because we have 110mph windload. Where you live it may be slightly less but you have frostline to deal with so your hole would need to be at least 42'' deep.
 
Posted by Dan Streicher (Member # 4515) on :
 
I have always had to submit specifications stamped off by a engineer to get a permit for a sign of this size
 
Posted by Teresa Bostic (Member # 6214) on :
 
The guy in Knoxville has a list of all the states he can stamp them for. There are several, but I'm not sure which.
 
Posted by Jerry Mathel (Member # 526) on :
 
Signs of the Times Magazine has an excellent engineering guide in their bookstore. "Sign Structures and Foundations", by Peter Horstley. ($24.95) You may have to brush up on your math to use the formulas, but it's a very comprehensive guide that covers just about everything you need to know.

There is really no "one size fits all" guide available because there are too many variables, such as required wind loads, soil density, etc. I used that book for many years, and it really saved me a lot of money. I was able to do my own engineering and then take my figures to a licensed engineer who would check the figures and sign off the plans for a fraction of what it would have cost, had he done all the engineering himself.
 
Posted by Mark M. Kottwitz (Member # 1764) on :
 
Years ago, when I was engineering billboards down south, I had access to an excel spreadsheet that you could plug all the info into, and it would spit out what you needed for the sign...pole size and section mod. concrete size for 2 different type of holes... pretty complete.

The only thing is, I still have it, but it's on a tape backup, and I don't know anyone that has one.

So, I guess my question is, does anyone has access to a tape backup drive that uses the 3M TR-1 Minicartridge. I could ship it to them, they can get the spreadsheet off, and I can post it up for everybody to use...
 


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