Thanks Eddie. The posts are embedded in the tubes around 2'. I thought about using brackets on top but decided it would be more steady if the posts were in the ground.
There is so much weight on top of the 8 posts I think it's still going to need a little bracing. You get some side to side jitter when a couple of adults are up there walking around. I've seen tubular steel with flattened ends used for home bracing. Cable was an idea as well, but I do already have the extra lumber to brace with so we'll probably just use that. After reading a deck bracing article I'm also thinking about putting one diagonal brace across the bottom of the joists.
Eric
