Hammock Hooks in Brick in Western Australia

olliestyles · Aug 04, 2014 11:25 pm

Hi team,

While in Brazil earlier this year we acquired some hammocks and "built-in" retractable hammock hooks which our brickie says we can't use unfortunately as they need to be concreted in and render over the cement (we have plain brick) See attached image for the ones we bought. The bricky suggested to go to Bunnings who suggested we could use the plates and 4 screws type. I looked at that option and a few more, single dynabolt with hook, a toggle screw with hook and I am unsure which will be the best to hold in to the bricks they use in WA.

Then I thought some more. Fixing to the brick is one thing, ensuring the brick and or brickwall are secure enough and won't pull out or fall is another consideration. I am not sure that the brickwork will support a large person. There appears to be no vertical reinforcing in the bricks, could the brick pull out? Should it somehow be tied to the bricks around it? What is the best method of tying that one brick in and ensuring the whole wall will be fine?

I know the bricky will have ideas, but I want to be sure I have the right advice when I talk to him some more. All suggestions welcome.

Cheers,
Ollie
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StructuralBIMGuy · Aug 05, 2014 11:08 pm

Hi Ollie
The problem is not with the Dynabolts or designing a bracket
The problem is, as you have pointed out, with the brickwall and dynamic horizontal loads
Brickwork needs to be reinforced... is it a cavity wall by chance?

olliestyles · Aug 06, 2014 7:32 am

Hi StructuralBIMGuy,

Thanks for the reply. Do you think any of the attachment methods to the brick would work?

Yes it is a cavity wall all the way around the house. Where I want to hang the hooks is on two corners, and 2 on one pillar facing the corners. So I can imagine if the corners are tied in it will be sufficiently strong. Problem is I know nothing about the acceptable methods of construction and I unfortunately did not see the majority of the bricks go up. While I could take the bricky 's advice at face value it could be an expensive mistake.

Thanks

StructuralBIMGuy · Aug 06, 2014 10:16 am

Hi Ollie you're welcome
LOL,My son has just returned from a medical study trip from Mexico City with a hammock.
Now even though I built the wall that he wants to hang it on, inspected it.I have tried to predict every possible failure load case, using 3 methods of design calculations (Rule of thumb,Hand calcs & FEM simulations) and got simillar results saying that the wall is safe for 2 people. I will still design/built-in redundancy.
Here's the idea mexican totem pole with swing out table hands, post fixed top and bottom.
Cost Hammock $20, Design and Engineering :lol:

$2000, Build $1000
With a bit of common sense it should only cost $150 approx (Materials) and you will sleep Soundly in it.
Sorry, I can't post other info and offer ideas/support as I am waiting on a reply from homeone but I would think it would be OK for you to leave me a PM