Either way, it doesn’t belong on top of the driveway. See the man‘s reply above that does it for a living.
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building carport on top of the driveway
- Thread starter Colossus
- Start date
You could get by with an open air type metal carport but probably gonna run into issues with a stick built.
Unless you witnessed or spec'd out your driveway pour assume it's too thin.
Unless you witnessed or spec'd out your driveway pour assume it's too thin.
Any neighbors in sight ?
Well there‘s your way and there’s the right way.
It's not my way, it's the way thousands have done it for decades. Sorry you got so offended
If the posts can be outside the footprint of the driveway, treat it like a pole barn and auger holes for the 6x6 posts. It will look better and be more functional (more room with less danger of a post being hit by a vehicle).
If you do that, be sure to use UC4B rated posts. You'll have to get them from a building supply place or lumber yard, not from a big box store...big box stores typically sell UC4A, which are not rated for structural application + burial duty. There's a lot of marketplace confusion about this. UC4B posts typically only come in 18' and 20' lengths from the manufacturer. Can obviously be cut to suit.
If the posts have to be on the concrete, the more posts the better, but they have to be anchored. Typical driveway concrete is 3000psi concrete. Sometimes reinforced with rebar or mesh, sometimes, not. You can never assume the concrete has perfect strength, so assuming 2000psi, a 6x6 post (actually 5.5x5.5) could theoretically put 60,000 pounds of pressure on the driveway before a structural failure. BUT, there's a difference between structural failure and cosmetic failure. It might be that even 6,000 pounds on such a small spot would induce cosmetic cracking.
What's your local building code situation? If you're in a place where you have to get it inspected, might as well find out ahead of time what the inspector will approve.
If you do that, be sure to use UC4B rated posts. You'll have to get them from a building supply place or lumber yard, not from a big box store...big box stores typically sell UC4A, which are not rated for structural application + burial duty. There's a lot of marketplace confusion about this. UC4B posts typically only come in 18' and 20' lengths from the manufacturer. Can obviously be cut to suit.
If the posts have to be on the concrete, the more posts the better, but they have to be anchored. Typical driveway concrete is 3000psi concrete. Sometimes reinforced with rebar or mesh, sometimes, not. You can never assume the concrete has perfect strength, so assuming 2000psi, a 6x6 post (actually 5.5x5.5) could theoretically put 60,000 pounds of pressure on the driveway before a structural failure. BUT, there's a difference between structural failure and cosmetic failure. It might be that even 6,000 pounds on such a small spot would induce cosmetic cracking.
What's your local building code situation? If you're in a place where you have to get it inspected, might as well find out ahead of time what the inspector will approve.
Oh I’m not offended but the op might be disappointed if he follows your advise.
I'm sure the op will be just fine especially with you fuming around
