[david_12]

We recently purchased a new home. The previous owner built a raised tree stand that I was hoping to convert to a fort for my kids. The problem is that it becomes very wobbly when you go up to the second floor.


There are three 16ft 4x4's on each side connected with 2x6's. Here are the pictures:

So I am assuming I need to add more bracing to the structure, but I am not sure where I need to put it. Any suggestions on how to make this thing more stable?

 

[Nealtw]

It is all about making triangles

 

[david_12]

sorry, rest of pics didnt load first time

 

[david_12]

It is all about making triangles

Thanks so much for the help.

What are the benefits of doing that vs something like this:

 

[Nealtw]

Thanks so much for the help.

What are the benefits of doing that vs something like this:

They will stop the bend in the triangle but the rest of the post can bend.


Here is a sample of the top half of posts being braced but the bottom of the posts still bend.

https://www.diychatroom.com/f19/help-addressing-deck-sway-pictures-attached-687379/

 

[miamicuse]

Nealw's braces also took into account your horizontal and vertical members are not in the same plane. Your horizontal members are face connected to the 4x4s so if you put in the braces your way you also have to find a way to get around that the horizontal pieces are 1.5" further out then the vertical pieces.


These horizontal members especially the bottom one and the one above seems to be the only main pieces where all the floor joist ends are connected to? That's quite a bit of load, and they are only face nailed to the 4X4s with a couple of nails (or screws)? That's quite a bit of shear there. I probably would add a few exterior rated Simpson's brackets there, deck joist ties comes to mind.

 

[david_12]

Nealw's braces also took into account your horizontal and vertical members are not in the same plane. Your horizontal members are face connected to the 4x4s so if you put in the braces your way you also have to find a way to get around that the horizontal pieces are 1.5" further out then the vertical pieces.


These horizontal members especially the bottom one and the one above seems to be the only main pieces where all the floor joist ends are connected to? That's quite a bit of load, and they are only face nailed to the 4X4s with a couple of nails (or screws)? That's quite a bit of shear there. I probably would add a few exterior rated Simpson's brackets there, deck joist ties comes to mind.

There are nails as well as a lag screw connecting each 2x6 to the 4x4. But I think that its a good idea to add some sort of bracket as well, just to be safe.

Thanks for all the help everyone. Do you have any suggestions for sites or search terms to learn more about structural engineering for small structures like this?