Precast concrete column for use in post-frame construction

Abstract

A column for use in post-frame construction having a two piece construction in which a first or foundation column portion of the column is set into the earth with a proximal end thereof protruding from the earth. The proximal end of the foundation column includes a column bracket for joining the foundation column to a wooden column comprising the second portion of the two piece column of the present invention. The foundation column of the present invention comprises a precast concrete column. The foundation column of the present invention advantageously resists degradation of its mechanical properties due to environmental influences while providing the necessary strength to support a post-frame building, including, e.g., the environmental loads received by the building. The wood column comprising the second portion of the two piece column of the present invention advantageously provides ease of workability to complete construction of a post-frame building.

1 . A column for providing a vertical support to a building, the column comprising: 
 a concrete foundation column for planting in an area of earth, a proximal end of said foundation column protruding from said earth when said concrete foundation column is planted therein; and    a wood column, said wood column secured to said proximal end of said concrete foundation column, said wood column substantially vertically oriented.    
   
   
       2 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein said foundation column includes a substantially transverse anchor pin sleeve secured to and positioned adjacent to a distal end of said foundation column, said anchor pin sleeve comprising a tubular member having opposite ends allowing access to a hollow interior thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The column of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a anchor pin positioned in said hollow interior of said anchor pin sleeve, said anchor pin having opposing ends, at least one of said opposing ends comprising a protruding end protruding from said anchor pin sleeve.    
   
   
       4 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein said foundation column comprises a precast concrete column.  
   
   
       5 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein said foundation column includes at least one reinforcing bar therein.  
   
   
       6 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein said foundation column includes at least one U-shaped reinforcing bar therein.  
   
   
       7 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein said foundation column includes four reinforcing bars, said reinforcing bars substantially evenly spaced about a longitudinal axis of said foundation column.  
   
   
       8 . A post-frame building, comprising: 
 a plurality of concrete foundation columns, each said foundation column planted in an area of earth, a proximal end of each said concrete foundation column protruding from said earth;    a plurality of wood columns, said wood columns secured to said proximal ends of said concrete foundation columns; and    a roofing member attached to said columns, said roofing member defining an exterior roof of the building, said roofing member substantially entirely covering a foot print of the building.    
   
   
       9 . The post-frame building of  claim 8 , further comprising a siding member attached to said columns, said siding member defining an outer wall of the building.  
   
   
       10 . The post-frame building of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of trusses, each said truss secured to at least one of said columns, said roofing member attached to said columns via said trusses.    
   
   
       11 . The post-frame building of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of girts, each said girt secured to at least one of said columns, said siding member attached to said columns via said girts.    
   
   
       12 . The post-frame building of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a concrete pad, wherein a distal end of said foundation column is planted in said area of earth and positioned atop and adjacent to said concrete pad.    
   
   
       13 . The post-frame building of  claim 12 , wherein said foundation column includes a substantially transverse anchor pin sleeve secured to and positioned adjacent to said distal end of said foundation column, said anchor pin sleeve comprising a tubular member having opposite ends allowing access to a hollow interior thereof, said post-frame building further comprising: 
 an anchor pin positioned in said hollow interior of said anchor pin sleeve, said anchor pin having opposing ends, at least one of said opposing ends comprising a protruding end protruding from said anchor pin sleeve.    
   
   
       14 . The post-frame building of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a concrete collar surrounding a portion of said foundation column, said protruding end of said anchor pin positioned in said concrete collar, said concrete collar positioned adjacent said concrete pad.    
   
   
       15 . The post-frame building of  claim 8 , wherein each said foundation column comprises a precast concrete column.  
   
   
       16 . The post-frame building of  claim 15 , wherein each said foundation column contains at least one reinforcing bar therein.  
   
   
       17 . The post-frame building of  claim 15 , wherein each said foundation column contains at least one U-shaped reinforcing bar therein.  
   
   
       18 . The post-frame building of  claim 15 , wherein each said foundation column contains four reinforcing bars, said reinforcing bars substantially evenly spaced about a longitudinal axis of said foundation column.  
   
   
       19 . A method of constructing a post-frame building, comprising: 
 planting a plurality of concrete foundation columns in the earth about a perimeter of the building;    affixing a wood column to each said foundation column, said wood column being substantially vertically oriented when affixed to foundation column; and    constructing the building using the wood columns as vertical supports.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each said foundation column includes a substantially transverse anchor pin sleeve secured to and positioned adjacent to a distal end of said foundation column, said anchor pin sleeve comprising a tubular member having opposite ends allowing access to a hollow interior thereof, said method further comprising the following steps prior to the step of planting a plurality of concrete foundation columns about a perimeter of the building: 
 providing a plurality of anchor pins sized to traverse said hollow interior of said anchor pin sleeves;    positioning said anchor pins in said anchor pin sleeves, said anchor pins having opposing ends, at least one of said opposing ends comprising a protruding end protruding from said anchor pin sleeves;    forming a plurality of holes in the earth, each hole accommodating one of said plurality of foundation columns;    placing a concrete pad in a distal end of each said hole;    positioning each said foundation column atop one of said concrete pads;    vertically orienting each said foundation column;    pouring a concrete collar about a distal end of each said foundation column, said concrete collar encompassing said anchor pin; and    back-filling each said hole.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each said foundation column contains at least one reinforcing bar therein.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each said foundation column contains at least one U-shaped reinforcing bar therein.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each said foundation column contains four reinforcing bars, said reinforcing bars substantially evenly spaced about a longitudinal axis of said foundation column.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said concrete foundation column has a first transverse cross-sectional area, said wood column has a second transverse cross-sectional area, said first cross-sectional area and said second cross-sectional area being substantially equal.