Morning Eddie,
Yeah, it's amazing to me when I see things like this. I don't understand if its lack of forsight or just plain laziness. Its a problem that has grown to epic proportions /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif that I have to deal with. I love to fly, but getting up in the air that high on a ladder or platform and trying use a chainsaw is not fun.
You are absolutely correct, the structure is floating on those piers. I have not found anything (foundation, pylons) or any indication that this thing has ever been tied down. I dug out 15 to 20 large boulders that had been set under the supports over the years. This has been my big dilemma from day one of starting this project. My first goal was to get it out of the mud and stop the lateral loads on the structure from doing anymore damage(done). I have spent a significant amount of time pondering the options ie: concrete slab, concrete piers etc. There are the obvious issues of supporting it while trying to apply whatever permanent fix I (we) can come up with. I am quite open for suggestions from the (collective knowledge) of you guys. I have pondered sinking holes at 45 deg. angle with the PHD and pouring a reinforced pier with some kind of jack-stand. I don't know if that is doable or not. Obviously digging a complete perimeter foundation would be impossible as I don't see any reasonable way to support the structure all at once. If you have any ideas I would love to hear them.