Large Pole/Parachute Structures for lots of Tents

[veleda]

Hey all

I keep seeing these massive structures some camps have set up for putting their tents under and me and my buddies are thinking why build 20 structures when we can build one together... but i don't really know how they work and checking out the desert structures site didn't get me anywhere. I'm worried about wind and figured they have to be set up just right..

anyone know any good sites? I have a large 100' parachute

[theCryptofishist]

Parachutes are problematic because they catch the wind--they are designed to. You might have to cut holes in it to keep your structure from flying away.

[veleda]

I don't mind cutting holes or even getting some agriculture shade cloth and doing it that way...i'm just not clear about how to set it up right..where to get such a tall pole etc.

[Trishntek]

http://www.canopiesandtarps.com/

Structure1.jpg

The hardware is purchased from the url above and i just use poles made for chain link fence. I can create structures of pretty much any dimension with them.

[veleda]

How much space between poles?

and how much did it cost total once you included reflective tarps?

[TomServo]

Here's the design I'll be using with a 35' parachute(forget what the pic says). T-posts aren't necessary, but they will NOT move.


The center post will either be a steel fence post, cut in half to utilize the tapered end..OR..PVC full length or using a joint..still not sure about the sturdiness of th pvc joint. the rope will connect to eye bolts installed at the ends of the support posts.

[TomServo]

Parachutes are problematic because they catch the wind--they are designed to. You might have to cut holes in it to keep your structure from flying away.

unfortunately, any flat surface like a tarp..also catches wind. I've always cut holes in my tarps.

[theCryptofishist]

true

[Trishntek]

Cutting holes in the tarp is an interesting notion. Since while in our structure, we actually had to observe the dust cloud to determine whether the wind was blowing. With all steel and no ropes, it does not move. No flapping noise,,, just solid shelter. Our spacing is 15' between vertical poles and 10' spacing on the wind foil angled to the ground. The feet sold by the URL in my previous post enable THREE 3/8"X12" nails going straight into the playa. No guy lines necessary. No holes cut in the tarps necessary.

Having enough cheap tarps to cover the floor and the HD silver tarps above, buying the poles myself at the big box hardware stores, all together I probably have $2k into the basic framework. For 2500 square feet of solid shelter on the playa, that's a bargain.

[veleda]

That is pretty good.. We might try this out.. I am going to show this to Peaceman our infrastructure fucking god of Do....

Could I potentially connect you two off list? He's less of a internet guy and more of a phone talker..

[Stickygreen]

If you've already got a big parachute, then get yourself a couple sections of radio tower, or event trussing, stack then up to 20' tall, and with 3 or 4 really heavy duty ratchet straps anchor this tower into the ground pointing straight up. (You'll need some pretty heavy re-bar to anchor the ratchet straps to the ground). Now throw your parachute over it, and attach the outer ring to cars and RV's around the outer edge of your shade area.

[Bob]

Big chute. Figure a wind load of at least 20 psf and whether you want to deal with it. Single thickness of nylon parachute material isn't going to provide much shade, really. Seen it done with heavy wood poles similar to the drawings above, but it's a major project. Probably want to tie it off a few feet above ground level and let wind blow through under it. Slitting might help, or just cause it to disintegrate faster. Surplus parachutes can be in pretty shitty shape sitting around for years after being retired.

[DoctorIknow]

There are lots of threads on parachutes....check them out!

My only 2cents is that although they provide some shade, they do not filter UV's,,,, you can feel it and it can be quite hot while looking like shade.