Shade Structure Advice... whaddayathink?

theBrooke · Post by **theBrooke** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 3:39 pm

Ok, I have purchased electrical conduit to make some shade over my tent. I bought enough elbows to make it a complete cube-like structure... Even the bottoms have poles along the playa surface, then we rebar over/around them.

My question is, is it better to do it this way? OR to just leave the bottom elbows out completely, and set rebar up to go inside the vertical support poles and a foot in the ground?

Either way I will guy the hell out of it. Please let me know which way is better, what you've done... experiences, ideas? The second will save a few clams, and I wont have a pole running under my tent.

B.

theBrooke · Post by **theBrooke** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:20 pm

... anyone?

atossab · Post by **atossab** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:25 pm

I don't think you need the bottom poles at all Just rebar but I recommend two foot rebar and guy the hell out of it like you said.

theBrooke · Post by **theBrooke** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:40 pm

Thanks for that, have you set something like this up? or is this just your educated opinion?

Anyone want to second that motion?

B.

atossab · Post by **atossab** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:47 pm

I've set it up twice, this year no elbows but: two foot rebar, poles on top, with holes drilled, rope pulled through the holes and the tarp, then guy lined. But its always best to get more advice.

theBrooke · Post by **theBrooke** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:56 pm

Holes drilled? Hmmmm where? In the poles around the top (that hold the tarp)? Thanks for your help, leaving the bottom poles at home would be great.

B

rodent · Post by **rodent** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 6:17 pm

If you can find a way to extend the leftover poles, you can attach them to one side of the cube at about a 45 degree angle, point that side towards the prevailing wind, and add tarp. It acts as a wedge that deflects wind rather than abutts.

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rodent (putting the eek in geek)

theBrooke · Post by **theBrooke** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:19 pm

prevailing wind... do i just lick my finger and stick it up?

got a direction?

Thanks!

B.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:33 pm

Generally out of the southwest. Highest winds during the day are around 3pm and come almost like clockwork.

theBrooke · Post by **theBrooke** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:40 pm

Thanks guys... So I will forego the bottom poles, drill holes somewhere???, and make sure the southwest side is hardcore.

ppreciate the help...

C'mon over to 8-9 & jupiter and ride the bull @ Mechanical Bullshit Oasis

rodent · Post by **rodent** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 8:53 pm

Will do, I'll be camped at about 8:50 and Earth. We'll be neighbors

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rodent (putting the eek in geek)

precipitate · Post by **precipitate** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 1:16 am

Your best bet is to have some tension (via tarp, with tiedowns) over the
top members. Conduit, like PVC, isn't meant to be structural, and will
bend if you get enough wind (which you will). Tension downwards will help
with that.

Either slide the conduit over rebar and have guy lines, or, if they're
threaded connectors, stake down the bottom and guy down from a few
points at the top.

FWIW, I'm not an engineer, but I have had makeshift materials work
wonderfully and fail miserably out there.

atossab · Post by **atossab** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:38 am

theBrooke, yes, one hole at the top of each pole.