The site

The site was measured and squared with locations for support columns marked.

Holes

Holes were dug to aprox. 2 1/2 feet and filled with 6 inches of gravel. The bottom 4 or 5 inches was coarse rock and the last inch or so fine rock to ease leveling.

The first support column

The form tubes were placed on top of the gravel at the desired height and leveled. Then concrete was mixed and pored into the form. A rod was used to pack the concrete and help remove air pockets. I also tapped on the side of the form to help bring additional air to the surface.

Hold down bolts

This is what was made to reinforce the columns and position the hold down bolt in the form tube.:

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Additional support columns

The problem was how to get the columns in the proper positions. The correct distance and height as well as making sure everything was square. The following steps were used:

The second column was positioned 8 feet from the first one. Then a line was stretch between the first column, around the second column and then to a stake past the third column. A mark was made at the intersection of the line at the second column to verify nothing change during the squaring of the line. Then a mark was made on the line 6 feet away from the second column toward the first column. Then a mark was made on the line 8 feet from the second column toward the third column. Using Pythagoreans theorem a² + b² = c² we find the distance between the 6 and 8 foot marks should be 10 feet. A piece of strapping, marked at ten feet, was staked at the 6 foot mark and positioned near the 8 foot mark. The stake near the third column was moved until the ten foot mark was directly over the 8 foot mark.

In order to level the columns a clear hose filled with water was staked next to the first column then held next to the column to be leveled. As the hose was raised or lowered the level of the water moved up and down at both ends of the hose. When the level was at the top of the first column it indicated the same level at the other end of the hose.

The Joists

First, holes were drilled in the sill plates and they were positioned 8 feet apart on the columns. Then the side joists were screwed into the sill plates and the holes for the joists predrilled. The assemblies were positioned on the columns and the end joists were installed. The remaining joists were screwed to the side joists and the assembly attached to the columns.

The flooring

3/4 inch T&G plywood was used for the flooring. The sheets were positioned lengthwise over the joists with the intersections of the boards centered on a joist near the middle. The extra plywood was trimmed off the ends. The two boards running on the far side were positioned and tacked down. The second set of boards was positioned and hammered toward the first set to seat the T&G. A chalk line was used to mark the location of the joists. Then measurements for the screw locations were made and  chalk lines drawn to indicate where each screw was to be positioned. The screw holes were pre-drilled and screws set for the first set of boards. Everything was double checked and the second set of boards was screwed down.

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