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  1. #1
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    Could this pergola support a hammock?

    I have a roughly 10' by 10' pergola built with 4" by 4" posts with 2" by 6" struts and 2" by 4" braces (picture should be attached) that is bolted to the joists of the deck, my gut tells me that the 4x4's aren't sufficient to use for hanging even though I only weigh around 160lb (been forever since I've weighed myself, skinny 6'3" guy) but I'm not an engineer so can any experts chime in and confirm/deny my gut feeling?

    I also think the lateral load would likely be too much without the posts anchored in the ground or additional braces at the bottom (that my wife would never allow and rightfully so as they would be a major tripping hazard), however I'm just guessing and applying common sense so I'm curious to get an expert's opinion.

    pergola.jpg

  2. #2
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    IMO it would depend on the attachment of the post to the deck. Those socket holes do a good job on vertical loads but I would be loathe to trust them on a hammock rigging. Just my thoughts. It looks pricey enough that I wouldn't want to have to rebuild it if let go. I'd probably be able to hang a couple of hammocks in the doghouse that would put me in.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

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  3. #3
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    I'd advise against it.
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  4. #4
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    I wouldn't do it unless the posts to the pergola were in ground with cement footing.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Floridahanger's Avatar
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    As long as the structure is bolted from the beams to the posts, your alright. The loads most folks talk about that break the 4x4 posts, don't have the top beam. Without the beam, that allows the load on the posts to bend inward causing catastrophic failure.

    In the GIF above, the brick post has a very high vertical load capacity, but from the looks of it as far as age, I'd say the mortar failure is the cause here for the horizontal failure. Your posts are fairly new and probably don't have a lot of age related fractures in the wood fibers and can hold the hammock as long as your not hanging at 5* or lower angle.

    Don't hang across from opposite corner though, just from corner to corner along the sides or you will rack the top and take it out of square.

    Beautiful pergola, by the way.
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  6. #6
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    Thanks for the confirmations, I wish I had have had the time/budget to put the posts in the ground and use 6x6's but this was not long before our wedding so I was a bit constrained, helped a lot to DIY though.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Floridahanger View Post
    Don't hang across from opposite corner though, just from corner to corner along the sides or you will rack the top and take it out of square.
    Therein lies the big problem. @ 10 x 10 the sides may be short for a good hang. I usually like about 12' at minimum.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
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  8. #8
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    I would do it. My first hammock stand was made from 2x4s and furring strips. From what I can see in the picture, your uprights are bolted to everything that connects to them. That thing looks more stable than most DIY stands that I see here on the forum (and most of them are well-built and serve well).
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  9. #9
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    I would not worry about 4x4 with top rails. They should be strong enough to hold quite a load. I would worry about the bottom attach points though.

  10. #10
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    I am not this kind of engineer (I am a software engineer) but I would try it, with some straps anchored to the ground pulling in the opposite direction of the hammock. Then you should have no problems at all in my opinion.

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