Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - sunken posts versus surface brackets

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PDA
07-14-00, 07:23 AM
The pool surround, free standing deck plan shows multiple 4x4's sunk into 42" of concrete with no need for beams or cross bracing. A friend recommends using footer brackets instead and placing the 4x4's on top of the footer, not in the hole. The lateral strength and stiffness with the brackets does not seem to be adequate without lots of cross bracing between posts? Anyone have an opinion.
Dale