Timber Post Repair

[alan]

At my church we've discovered some pockets of deterioration to some old timber posts in the steeple. The posts are hand hewn 8x8's, I've designed some steel angle reinforcements that will be lagged to the side of the posts to "bridge" the pockets to carry load. The pockets are large and probably 60% of the column bearing area is gone but the loads aren't that great in bearing.

I'm wondering if it is practical to try to clean out the voids and fill with a structural epoxy mixed with some stone or something. The posts are only accessible on two sides from the inside and are in tight spots so it isn't very practical to tyr to piece some new lumber into the pockets.

I gather from reading other posts that all soft wood should be cleaned and removed as much as possible and that a boron fungicide should be applied. If the voids were filled does it make since to try to install some fiberglass rebars to tie the patch to the remaining column?

Alan

[Paul Marlowe]

Alan,
You bring up some good questions.  Is it possible for you to provide some pictures of the area?  If so a close-up, mid range and full range would be helpful. 

[alan]

I tried attaching a couple of pictures but I get an error about "can't find upload path". I probably could email them or maybe you know hat my problem is uploading them.

Alan