What bearers and stirrups for low-level deck?

[pete5]

In regards to low level deck construction, I'm choosing to use  190 x 45 for bearers and stirrups in concrete.  I'm not using posts, the bearers are directly in stirrups. Can you only get 90mm stirrups, how dose it work when the bearers are 45mm wide?

[JacobZ]

Hi @pete5,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

There are two options that will work. You can either cut a small block from your 190x45 to act as a packer in the stirrup. This will allow you to put your bolt through both your bearer and this block and it will clamp tight on them without bending the stirrups inwards.

Alternatively, and in my opinion a better option, is to use a half stirrup and then use a square washer on the timber to spread the load of the nut out so it doesn't pull into the timber and become lodged in place.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[pete5]

My only thought with the half stirrup is the weight of the bearer and thus the deck would be offset as the load would not be directly above the steel post.  I was thinking I could alternate which side the half stirrup would be on along the bearer

[MitchellMc]

Alternating the half stirrups is a solid plan @pete5, and I agree it would distribute the load more effectively.

Mitchell