Rehd,

Thanks for taking time to answer my questions as thoroughly as you did!

Kehn

: Hi Kehn

: As is, the structure is fairly strong... the tarp holds it all together
: pretty well. I won't have much problem with wind as it's between two
: houses and fences on two sides and a barn on the third..

: The pictures I didn't have developed yet show how I mounded dirt on the
: inside and outside edges to anchor the wood clamps all the way around.
: That pulled the tarp fairly taught. I have pulled the rib-cage around a
: little and it takes some pressure to move it more than an inch or two...

: If you are going to have some wind exposure, I would do some bracing inside
: on the end pieces. How I would do it would be to put a tee fitting on the
: end ribs ( all four ) about halfway up. On the single hole, I would drill
: through and put some eye-bolts and nuts on it. Then on the center ribs, at
: ground level I'd put a cross joint ( so the stake would pass through ) and
: do the same thing with the eye-bolts, then tie them together with some
: small rope or non-stretching cord. You might also use the same idea to
: cross the ends.
: You could use outside tie-downs, but you'd have to hole the tarp and that
: would compromise it's water resistance.
: I will also be adding some 2 lb coffee cans full of cement and an eye-bolt so
: I can bungie or rope tie it in 4 or 6 places for added security.

: I can't tell you anything about snow loads and what it might hold. It seems
: pretty strong, but I don't know nothin' about snow... except it's white or
: yellow and I don't eat the yellow snow..!!

: However, if it needs extra bracing for the weight, I would take cross
: fittings, same as the top joints, and do them along the side about two or
: three feet off the ground.. That would give you some extra support and
: help out as long as you didn't let it bury the structure. I doubt it would
: hold up to that kind of weight. Maybe a few inches of powder, but surely
: not the wet stuff.

: Longevity of the tarps is probably peculiar to the area. We get some pretty
: nasty heat and sun down here from Mid-Spring till Mid Fall and these tarps
: will only last about 2 or maybe 3 seasons before they start
: disentigrating. In the north or in somewhat shady areas maybe longer...

: One thing I would do different and may still, would be to run the 1/2"
: PVC up a little higher on the rib bottoms and maybe lengthen the ones in
: the top cross fittings to around 18" or more. that makes the top
: joints much stiffer. '

: Of course, I did as the plan called for and didn't glue any of the joints. If
: they were glued, it would be much more solid.. But, much less portable at
: the same time....

: Hope that helps!

: Rehd