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Piers being permanent things should allow you to mount your current and future astronomy/astrophotography requirements. How big you make it depends on your intentions. Generally speaking, bigger is better, but you also need to take into consideration length - a GEM with a long focal length refractor will require more length than a fork mounted SCT for example. There were some discussions that an all concrete pier will give off thermal heat well into the night. Make the base from concrete, but would suggest you stick to steel for the pier itself. Would recommend gussets, though their effectiveness depends on pier height, steel thickness and OD. J-bolts sunk into wet concrete are great for attaching the metal base of the pier. Easy to get the mount perfectly level by adjusting the nuts. Sand in the pier can also assist in weight and has the added benefit of being a vibration suppressant.
How heavy do you expect your OTA, mount, eyepieces, imaging train will get in the next five or more years?
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