Azizi - Applied Analysis in Geotechnics-Solution Manual

‫ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ‬
Foundation Engineering
Chapter 9
by
Prof. Adel Ahmed Dif
Structural Eng. Dept.
Faculty of Engineering
El-Mansoura University
Chapter (9)
Design of Pile Caps
By
Adel Dif
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Applications Very Large Concentrated
Large Distributed
Weight
Weight
Low
Weight
Soft to
Firm Clay
Dense Sand
Strong Rock
9.1 Introduction
A pile cap is defined as a concrete block cast on the head of

a group of piles, to transmit the load from the structure to
the group of piles. Generally, pile cap transfers the load
form the structures to a pile group, then the load further
transfers to firm soil.
External pressures on a pile are likely to be greatest near
the ground surface. Ground stability increases with depth
and pressure. The top of the pile therefore, is more
vulnerable to movement and stress than the base of the
pile. Pile caps are thus incorporated in order to tie the pile
heads together so that individual pile movement and
settlement is greatly reduced. Thus stability of the pile
group is greatly increased.

9.1 Introduction
The functions of a pile cap

are :
1. To distribute a single load equally over the pile group

and thus over a greater area of bearing potential,
2. To laterally stabilise individual piles thus increasing
overall stability of the group. And
3. To provide the necessary combined resistance to stresses
set up by the superstructure and/or ground movement.
9.1 Introduction
Pile caps are thick slabs used to tie a group of piles together to
support and transmit column loads to the piles.

9.1 Introduction
Pile Cap
9.2 Pile Cap Arrangement
Spacing of the piles in the pile group
The following should be considered when determining the

spacing of the piles:
1. Overall cost of the foundation
2. Nature of the ground
3. Pile behaviour in the group
4. Resulting possible heave or compaction of ground
causing damage to adjacent structures
5. Cost of pile cap
6. Size and effective length of ground beam
7. Type and size of pile

§ Piles should be placed in a suitable arrangement so that

the spacing between piles ranges from (2-3) D (pile
diameter) in case of isolated pile caps and (2-6) D in
case of rafts supported on piles.
§ The C.G. of piles should be placed as far as possible in
the C.G. of loads transmitted from the structure to the
group of piles.
§ In the case of presence of neighbors, piles should be
away from the property line by a distance not less than
D or as the pile installation method requires.
§ The projection of the pile cap should be 10-15 cm.
Initial Layout:
The simplest pile layout is one without batter piles. Such a

layout should be used if the magnitude of lateral forces is
small. Since all piles do not carry an equal portion of the
load, axial pile capacity can be reduced to 70 percent of the
computed value to provide a good starting point to
determine an initial layout. In this case, the designer begins
by dividing the largest vertical load on the structure by the
reduced pile capacity to obtain the approximate number of
pile. If there are large applied lateral forces, then batter
piles are usually required. Piles with flat batters 2.5 (V) to 1
(H), provide greater resistance to lateral loads and the less
resistance to vertical loads. Piles with steep batters 5 (V) to
1 (H) provide greater vertical resistance and less lateral
resistance.

Final Layout:
After the preliminary layout was developed remaining load

cases should be investigated and the layout revised to
provide an efficient layout. The goal should be to produce a
pile layout in which most piles are loaded as near to
capacity as practical for the critical loading cases with tips
located at the same elevation for the various pile groups
within a given monolith. Adjustments to the initial layout
by the addition deletion, or relocation of piles within the
layout grid system may be required. Generally, revisions to
the pile batters will not be required because they were
optimized during the initial pile layout. The designer is
cautioned that the founding of piles at various elevations or
in different strata may result in monolith instability and
differential settlement.
Stability
All piles or pile groups should be stable. For normal-sized
piling, stability will be provided by pile groups consisting of
at least three piles supporting an isolated column.
Wall or strip footings not laterally supported should be
carried by a staggered row of piles.
Two-pile groups are stable if adequately braced in a
direction perpendicular to the line through the pile centers.
Individual piles are stable if the pile tops are laterally braced
in two directions by construction, such as a structural floor
slab, grade beams, struts, or walls.

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Typical Arrangement of Piles


S=3D

1D
1D
1D
3D 3D
3D
3D
1D 1D
1D
1D
3D 1D 3D 1D
1D 1D
2 PILES 3 PILES 4 PILES
1D
Typical Arrangement of Piles 3D
1D
1D 3D 3D 3D 1D
1D
1D
3D
1D
3D
3 2D
3D 3D
1D
1D
1D 3 2D 3 2D 1D
1D 3D 3D 1D 3 2D 1 D
6 PILES 7 PILES 8 PILES

Typical Arrangement of Piles 1D 3D 3D 3D 1D
1D
1D
3D
3 3D
3D
1D 1D
1D 3D 3D 1D 3D 3D
9 PILES 10 PILES
1D 3D 3D 3D 1D
1D
1D
3D
3 3D
3D
1D 1D
3D 3D 1D 3D 3D 3D 1D
11 PILES 12 PILES
١٠

10 - 15 cm
1D
3D
3D
D
1D
3D 3D
1D 1D
١١

Typical pile head details for precast tubular piles
• Requirements for Pile Caps

Same as spread footings with the following additions :
1. Design must satisfy the punching shear in the vicinity of the
individual piles or shafts
2. The effective depth d must be at least 30 cm. This implies a
minimum thickness T of 40 cm.
3. The bearing force between the individual piles or shafts and the
caps must not exceed the capacity of either element.
• Pile Cap Reinforcement

The amount of pile cap reinforcement is governed by:
1. the loading on the pile cap,
2. the spacing of the piles, and
3. the depth of the pile cap.
١٢

9.3 Load Distribution
To a great extent the design and calculation (load analysis)

of pile foundations is carried out using computer
software. For some special cases, calculations can be
carried out using the following methods
For a simple understanding of the method, let us assume
that the following conditions are satisfied:
1.The pile is rigid
2.The pile is pinned at the top and at the bottom
3.Each pile receives the load only vertically (i.e. axially
applied );
4.The force P acting on the pile is proportional to the
displacement U due to compression.
Number and arrangement of piles shall be determined

from unfactored forces and moments transmitted by
footing to soil or piles and permissible soil pressure or
permissible pile capacity determined through principles of
soil mechanics.
For footings on piles (pile caps), computations for moments

and shears shall be permitted to be based on the
assumption that the reaction from any pile is concentrated
at pile center.
١٣

Method of Expression of Design Load:
١٤

Allowable Stress Design (ASD)

Sum loads
Consider direction
Use one global factor of safety
Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)

Use factored loads (factors almost always >1)
Apply strength reduction factors (factors <1)
•Earthwork and walls: use ASD
•Foundations: use ASD
•Substructure: use LRFD/ASD
•Superstructure: use LRFD
Factors of Safety (F.S)
Σ Forces preventig failure

F.S =
∑ Forces initiating failure
Type F.S
Dams, Fills 1.2-1.6
Retaining walls 1.5-2.0
Sheet pile walls 1.2-1.6
Braced excavations 1.2-1.5
Footings 2.0-3.0
Raft foundations 1.7-2.5
Uplift and Heave 1.5-2.5
١٥

Eccentricity of load
( Single )
Eccentricity of load
( Double)
١٦

Fz M y M x
Pi = + nx i 2 + n y i 2
n ∑ yi My
∑ xi
i =1 i =1
Fz Pi
Mx X
Y xi yi
N M x . y M y .x
σ = Fp A = ± ±
nA Ix Iy
N M x . y M y .x
σ = Fp A = ± ±
nA Σy2 . A Σx2 . A x ,y ‫ اﻟﻌﺰوم ﺣﻮل اﻟﻤﺤﻮرﯾﻦ‬Mx , My ‫ﺣﯿﺚ‬
Q Mx. y My. x
‫ اﻟﻰ أى ﺧﺎزوق ﻓﻰ اﻟﻤﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ‬x ‫ واﻟﻤﺤﻮر‬y ‫اﻟﻤﺴﺎﻓﺔ ﺑﯿﻦ اﻟﻤﺤﻮر‬x , y
± ±
nA Σy 2 . A Σx 2 . A
: ‫∑ ﻋﺰوم اﻟﻘﺼﻮر ﻟﻠﻤﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ ﻣﺤﺴﻮﺑﺔ ﻛﻤﺎ ﻓﻰ اﻟﻤﻌﺎدﻟﺔ اﻟﺘﺎﻟﯿﺔ‬x2 , ∑ y2
Ix = Io + A . y2
‫ ﻧﺠﺪ أن‬، ‫( ﻣﺴﺎﺣﺔ ﻣﻘﻄﻊ اﻟﺨﺎزوق ( ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻌﺎدﻟﺔ‬A) ‫ )ﺣﯿﺚ‬A ‫ وﺣﺬف اﻟﺤﺪ‬،‫ ﻟﺼﻐﺮ ﻗﯿﻤﺘﮫ‬Io ‫ﺑﺈھﻤﺎل‬
: ‫ﺣﻤﻮﻟﺔ اﻟﺨﺎزوق اﻟﻨﺎﺗﺠﺔ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻌﺰوم اﻟﻤﻄﺒﻘﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻘﯿﻤﺔ ھﻰ اﻟﻤﺒﯿﻨﺔ ﻓﻰ اﻟﻤﻌﺎدﻟﺔ‬
N Mx . y My .x
Fp = ± ±
∑y ∑x
2 2
n
∑x2 = sum of the square of the distance x of each pile from the centroid in the x direction.
∑y2 = sum of the square of the distance y of each pile from the centroid in the y direction.
١٧

Distribution of Horizontal Loads
H pile = H i = F x / N
Fx
Hi
Example : Design a pile cap with the given data: Load P col = 2000
KN (including pile cap weight) , MZ = 300 KN-m, Spacing S = 90 cm.
No. of Pile = 9, Column Dimension = 500mm x 500mm. Ultimate Load
Factor = 1.5.
Pile reaction:
P1,2,3 = 1.5x 2000 + 1.5x 300 x 0.9 = 416.67 KN
9 6 x (0.9x0.9)
P4,5,6 = 1.5x 2000 + 0.0 = 333.33 KN

9 7 4 1
P7,8,9 = 1.5x 2000 - 1.5x 300 x 0.9 = 250.0 KN 8 5 2
9 6 x (0.9x0.9)
9 6 3
١٨

Graphical Method
9.4 Installation and service conditions affecting design
Installation error:
Until now we have been calculating theoretical force distribution on
piles. However during installation of piles slight changes in position do
occur and piles may miss their designed locations.
So the designer must compare theoretical and the actual load
distribution as a result of misalignment after pile installation.
١٩

Deviation of the piles

Most piling specifications permit a deviation in pile position of not
exceeding 75 mm in any direction from the intended position.
Additional deviations of 1:75 from the vertical piles and 1:25 from
the designed rake for raking piles are also permitted.
Thus, the pile cap should be large enough to accommodate those
piles which have deviated from the intended position. The pile cap
should extend for a distance of 100 to 150 mm outside the outer face
of the piles in the group.
٢٠

Piles must be executed within the limits of the following

permissible deviations in pile positioning:
a) vertical and inclined piles and their horizontal position
measured from the working level (e = 15 to 50 mm)
b) vertical or inclined piles with an inclination of less than
15:1 ( i ≤ 0.01 to 0.03 ( ≤ 10 to 30 mm/m)).
c) inclined piles with an inclination in the range of 4:1 ... 15:1
( i ≤ 0.02 to 0.05 ( ≤ 20 to 50 mm/m)).
If deviations in pile positioning different from the above

are set, the following factors must be considered:
• structural demands
• soil conditions
• available drilling equipment
Permissible deviations in positions of drilled piles
٢١

1- Pile-head location tolerances

• Deviations from the plan pile-head locations can be caused
by: survey errors; inaccurate positioning of the pile over its
location stake; equipment inadequate to hold the pile on
location; the pile drifting off location due to underground
obstructions or sloping hard soil strata; misalignment of
piles driven through overburden; or by general ground
movements after the piles have been driven caused by
embankment pressures, construction operations, or other
surcharge loads.
• The deviation that should be allowed varies with the pile
load and group size. A smaller tolerance is required for a
single pile carrying a very high load. A larger tolerance can
be allowed for a large group of piles under a structural mat.
A tolerance of 3 in. (75 mm) in any direction is reasonable for

normal pile usage. Marine work and large piles may require
larger tolerances.
Generally, an overload of 10% on a pile due to deviation of
the pile location does not require modifying the pile cap or
group. If this overload is exceeded, additional piles should be
installed (and where necessary the pile cap modified) so that
the center of gravity of the group remains substantially
under that of the load.
Sometimes piles driven off location can be pulled or pushed
back into plan location, but this practice is not
recommended. If this practice is permitted, the force used to
move the pile into proper position should be limited and
carefully controlled according to a lateral load analysis,
considering the type and size of pile and the soil conditions.
٢٢

2- Axial alignment tolerances

Deviations from required axial alignment can result from the
pile driven off required alignment but with its axis remaining
straight, the pile driven with its axis not on a straight line
from pile head to tip, or a combination of these two with the
pile bent and the tip off its plan location. Deviations from a
straight line axis can take the form of a long sweeping bend
or a sharp bend called a dogleg.
The deviation of the pile axis from the specified alignment,

whether vertical or battered, should be within the following
tolerances:
• 2% for embedded piles driven through sandy soils or soft
clays;
• 4% for embedded piles driven through difficult soils of

nonuniform consistency, boulder-ridden soils, or batter piles
driven into gravel; and
• A maximum of 2% of the total pile length in marine
structures that have over half the pile length in water rather
than soil.
Piles driven outside of these tolerances should be reviewed by
the engineer. The review should include consideration of
horizontal forces and interference with other piles and may
require review of the pile cap.
For axial deviations from a straight line (bent piles), the
allowable tolerance could range from 2 to 4% of the pile
length, depending on subsoil conditions and type of bend,
which could be sharp (excluding breaks in the pile) or
sweeping bends of varying radii.
٢٣

Batter piles
Batter piles are commonly used to resist large horizontal

forces or to increase the lateral rigidity of the foundation
under such loading. When used, batter piles tend to resist
most, if not all, of the horizontal loading. The design should
reflect this type of behavior.
The use of batter piles to resist seismic forces requires
extreme care because these piles restrain lateral
displacement and may require unattainable axial
deformation ductility. When batter piles are used, a
complete structural analysis that includes the piles, pile
caps, structure, and the soil is necessary if the forces are to
be properly accounted for, including the possibility of
tension developing in some piles.
When batter piles are used together with vertical piles, the
design of the foundation structure should consider that the
batter piles will accept a portion of the vertical load. The
inclination and position of the batter piling should be
selected so that when a lateral load is applied, the resultant
of the lateral and vertical loadings is axial, and the effects of
bending moments are kept to a minimum. Bending stresses
due to the weight of the pile itself, such as those that occur
for a long freestanding portion of a batter pile in marine
structures, should be taken into consideration.
٢٤

9.5 Design of Pile Cap
• If the pile group is analyzed with a flexible base, then the forces
required to design the base are obtained directly from the structure
model.
• If the pile group is analyzed with a rigid base, then a separate
analysis is needed to determine the stresses in the pile cap.
• An appropriate finite element model (frame, plate and plane stress
or plane strain) should be used and should include all external loads
(water, concrete, soil, etc. ) and pile reactions.
Pile Caps
• Driven piles are almost inevitably placed in groups
• Drilled shafts can be placed this way, but usually are not
• The reinforced concrete element that connects the column with its
multiple deep foundations is called a cap or a pile cap
• Design process is similar for spread footings
• Requirements for Pile Caps
Same as spread footings with the following additions
• Design must satisfy the punching shear in the vicinity of the
individual piles or shafts.
• The effective depth d must be at least 30 cm (12"). This implies
a minimum thickness T of 40 cm (18").
• The bearing force between the individual piles or shafts and the
caps must not exceed the capacity of either element.
٢٥

Pile Cap Modes of Failure
Pile Embedment and Reinforcement Placement
٢٦

Sizing of the Pile Cap
•STEP 1: The size of the pile cap depends on pile spacing and
soil type.
•STEP 2: Assume a pile type. In most cases, concrete auger
cast piles are the cheapest and should be considered for
feasibility. Closed-end pipe piles are cheaper than any other
driven pile. If there are obstructions (such as boulders or
debris), then H-piles should be considered. Depending on site
conditions, precast concrete piles, timber piles, or composite
piles may be the most suitable pile type for the application.
•STEP 3: Compute the ultimate bearing capacity of a single

pile and obtain the design pile capacity of a single pile by
applying a safety factor.
•STEP 4: Find the number of piles required to carry the

load.
•STEP 5: Assume a center-to-center distance between piles.
Typically, engineers use 2.0d to 3.0d. If center-to-center
distance is too small, piles will damage each other. But, if
the piles are too far, the pile cap will be too large and the
cost will increase. If the site contains heavy obstructions,
such as boulders, it is advisable to use a larger spacing.
•STEP 6: Design the pile cap.
٢٧

1- Required pile quantity and layout to satisfy loading

applied to the footing, based on bearing, uplift and
lateral pile capacity,
2- Geometry of the pile cap based on shear and bending
strength requirements at critical sections of the footing.
Step 1 - Pile Arrangement
The following pile properties should be provided:

capacity (bearing, uplift, and lateral), diameter, spacing,
and edge distance.
Based on these parameters, the designer determines the
required pile configuration as well as plan dimensions of
the footing from the condition, that the force transferred
to any pile should not exceed its capacity.
For a general case of vertical and horizontal forces, and

bending moments acting on the cap, that stipulation is
equivalent to satisfying the following two equations:
Hpile >= Happl / N
Vpile >= Vappl / N + Mxappl * Ry / Ixg + Myappl * Rx / Iyg
Hpile - single pile horizontal capacity
N Mx . y My .x
Vpile - single pile vertical capacity Vpile = ± ±
Happl - total horizontal load applied n ∑ y 2 ∑ x2
Vappl - total vertical load applied
N - total number of piles in footing Note: X and Y-axes above
Mxappl - applied bending moment about X-axis
are centroidal axes of the
Myappl - applied bending moment about Y-axis
pile group, Ixg and Iyg are
calculated treating each
Rx - distance from Y-axis to the farthest pile
pile as a unit, and are
Ry - distance from X-axis to the farthest pile
equal Σ(1*yi2) and
Ixg - pile group moment of inertia about X-axis Σ(1*xi2), respectively.
Iyg - pile group moment of inertia about Y-axis
٢٨

Step 2 - Design of Pile Cap
Proportioning of the pile cap involves satisfying the shear

(one and two way) and bending requirements at
applicable critical sections, in accordance with Chapter
15 of ACI 318-02.
One way shear is checked in two areas:
i- At outer piles, with the critical section located at a min. distance d
from the face of a corner pile or faces of a pile group along the edge of
the footing,
ii- At the distance d from two orthogonal faces of the pedestal.
The critical shear plane is assumed along a shortest straight line
connecting free edges of the footing. The design is then performed for
the total pile reaction force on one side of the shear plane
Two way shear is checked in three areas:

i- At outer piles, with the critical section located at a min. distance d/2
from the face of a corner pile or faces of a pile group along the edge of
the footing. The critical plane is assumed to be positioned along a
straight and curved line, so that the total section length is minimized.
ii- At the distance d/2 around the pedestal. The section comprises four
straight-line segments, parallel to corresponding sides of the column.
iii. At the distance d/2 around a pile.
The design is performed for the total pile reaction force acting within
the perimeter of the critical section.
Flexure is checked for critical planes located at both faces
of the pedestal (column): The bending moment is calculated as an
aggregate of moments due to pile reactions on one side of the plane.
Determination of an individual pile contribution to the forces at a
critical section is based on whether the pile is outside this section (full
reaction value assumed), inside the section (reaction ignored), or at an
intermediate location (partial reaction assumed).
٢٩

§ There are many methods for designing

pile caps from which we could mention
the following:
1- Circulage Method
2- Beam Method
3- FEM methods
9.5.1 Circulage Method
§ Circulage method can only be used when the column is

loaded with an axial force and piles are arranged on the
circumference of a circle. Piles are not allowed to carry
horizontal forces in this case.
§ As it is shown in the following figure, the force T’ for

which the reinforcement is calculated is calculated using
the shown force diagram.
٣٠

Force Transmission in Circulage Method

Force Diagram
S’
The truss analogy method
٣١

§ The main reinforcement (As) can then be calculated

from the following relation:
Pcol .S '
As =
Fs .n.d ' (2 cos( β ))
Details Of Reinforcement in Circulage Method
٣٢

Struts and ties in a pile cap
strut-and-tie model
The strut-and-tie model should be considered for the design
of deep footings and pile caps or other situations in which
the distance between the centres of applied load and the
supporting reactions is less than about twice the member
thickness.
Basic Principle
٣٣

Design using the strut-and-tie model

The Egyptian Code ECP 203 allows the use of the Strut –
and – Tie method for designing pile caps. The structural
action of a four- pile group is shown in Fig. The pile cap is a
special case of a deep beam and can be idealized as a space
truss with 4 compression strut transferring load from the
column to the piles, and 4 tension ties equilibrating the
outward components of the compression struts.
The tension ties have constant force in them and must be
anchored for the full horizontal tie force outside the
intersection of the pile and the compression strut. Hence,
bars must either extend a distance equal to the anchorage
length past the centerlines of the piles, or they must be
hooked outside this point.
strut-and-tie model for a pile cap:
٣٤

Design using the strut-and-tie model
9.5.2 Beam Method
§ The Beam Method is the most widely used method

as it suitable for any type of loading and any shape
of the pile cap.
Design Procedure:
A- Required Data:
Pile Data: 1- Pile diameter and length,

2- Pile allowable bearing capacity
Column Data: 1- Column load ( N + M + H ),
2- Column dimensions
٣٥

9.5.2 Beam Method
B- Design Steps:
1- Determine required number of piles:
Pcol
n= * (1.1 − 1.2)
Qall
Notes:
§ In case of (N) only multiply by 1.1
§ In case of (M+N) multiply by 1.2
§ Number of piles used is rounded to the upper integer
9.5.2 Beam Method
2- Pile Cap Arrangement and Plan Dimension :

§ Piles should be placed in a suitable arrangement so that
the spacing between piles ranges from (2-3) Ǿ in case of
isolated pile caps and (2-6) Ǿ in case of rafts supported
on piles, where Ǿ is the pile diameter.
§ The C.G. of piles should be placed as far as possible in
the C.G. of loads.
§ In the case of presence of neighbors, piles should be
away from the property line by a distance not less than
Ǿ or as the pile installation method requires.
§ The projection of the pile cap should be about 10-15 cm.
٣٦

9.5.2 Beam Method
3- Pile Cap Preliminary Depth:

The depth of the pile cap could be preliminary estimated
assuming an allowable punching stress of 10 kg/cm2 on the
column face.
Pcol
τ punch = 10 kg / cm2 =
d * 2 * (b + l )
4- Check Forces in Piles:
Nt = Ncol + Wpile cap

Nt M x * y M y * x
Fp = ± ±
n ∑ y2 ∑ x2
9.5.2 Beam Method
5- Check for punching shear:

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l d/2
P ton
b
b d/2
b+d
Pcol
τ punch = ≤ 8kg / cm2
d * 2 * (b + d + l + d )
٣٧

9.5.2 Beam Method
9.5.2 Beam Method
6- Check for shear: (Beam Shear)

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delete the image and then insert it again.
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Qshea r
τ sh = ≤ 8kg / cm2
0.87bd
٣٨

9.5.2 Beam Method
Critical section for shear check in a pile cap
9.5.2 Beam Method
٣٩

9.5.2 Beam Method
1) Entire reaction from any pile with its center located dpile /2 or
more outside the section shall be considered as producing shear
on that section.
2) Reaction from any pile with its center located dpile /2 or more
inside the section shall be considered as producing no shear on
that section.
3) For intermediate positions of pile center, the portion of the pile
reaction to be considered as producing shear on the section shall
be based on straight-line interpolation between full value at dpile
/2 outside the section and zero value at dpile /2 inside the section.
9.5.2 Beam Method
Assumed distribution of shear stress
٤٠

9.5.2 Beam Method
7- Design for moment:

The critical section for moment is taken at the column face.
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9.5.2 Beam Method
8- Check for Bond:
§ The reinforcement used in resisting flexural moment should

be checked for bond stress acting on it.
§ Shear at the same section of the bending moment is
calculated.
Qshear @ M
τ bond = ≤ 10kg / cm2
0.87 d ∑ O
٤١

9.5.2 Beam Method
9- Check for Starter Bars:
9.5.2 Beam Method
How might failure occur in a concentrically loaded concrete footing?

There are four possible modes .
٤٢

9.5.2 Beam Method
9.5.2 Beam Method
٤٣

9.4.2 Beam Method
Check beam shear of 2 piles:
40 cm d=82 cm
2(63) ton
Bending moment:
40 cm 40 cm
2(63) ton
9.4.2 Beam Method
10- Details of Reinforcement:
٤٤

9.4.2 Beam Method
9.4.2 Beam Method
10 -15
cm
٤٥

٤٦

Pile Cap Treatment
There are a number of different alternatives for waterproofing pile cap

areas with the Volclay panels Waterproofing system. Two such
alternatives are illustrated below.
Pile Cap Treatment
٤٧

Pile Cap Treatment
In the design of the head details of H-piles, there are three typical cases
to be considered, namely compression piles, tension piles and piles with
bending moment at the head in addition to tension or compression. The
design of these piles recommended by G. M. Cornfield (1968) is listed
below:
i) Compression piles
For this type of piles, H-piles should be
embedded 150mm in concrete pile caps
and it is not necessary to use any dowels
and capping plates in their connection.
(ii) Tension piles
A number of hook-ended bars are
welded to the top of H-piles.
(iii) Piles with bending moment at their head
(tension or compression)
The depth of embedment of piles into
pile caps is substantially increased and
loads are transferred by horizontal bars
welded to piles’ flanges.
What are the functions of different reinforcement in

a typical pile cap?
Loads from columns transferring to pile cap induce tensile forces at the •
bottom of the cap. For instance, by using truss analogy to analyze a pile
cap sitting on two piles with a column at the centre of the pile cap, the
tensile force at the bottom is proportional to the pile spacing and is
inversely proportional to depth of pile cap. The bottom reinforcement is
designed to resist the tensile stressed generated from loads in columns.
Side reinforcement may not be necessary in pile cap (L.A. Clark •

(1983)). In fact, the primary aim of the side reinforcement is to control
cracking. However, as most pile caps are hidden from view and it is
considered not necessary to provide side reinforcement to pile caps
based on aesthetic reason.
Sometimes, reinforcement may be designed at the top of pile caps which •

serve as compression reinforcement. This type of reinforcement is
required in case there is a limitation on the depth of pile caps. Similarly
shear reinforcement is introduced to the pile caps in case there is a
restriction to the depth of pile caps.
٤٨

٤٩

٥٠

٥١

So centroid is (0.822/l. 111) = 0.74 m from front pile.
e = -1 .85/2 - 0.74 = 0.185 m
٥٢

9.4.3 FEM Method
Grid used for FLAC 3D

analysis of pile groups
(after Poulos, 2001)
9.4.3 FEM Method
٥٣

9.5 Grade Beams
Grade Beams
Deep foundations are sometimes connected with grade •

beams.
Grade beams are required for all deep foundations •
subject to seismic loads. For seismic design, they must
resist a horizontal load equal to 10% of the column
vertical load.
Grade beams must be designed without the support of •
the underlying soil.
9.5 Grade Beams
In the British Standard Code of Practice BS 8004, a ground

beam is defined as a beam in a substructure transmitting
loads to a pile, pad or other foundation. The ground beam
connects the two pile caps.
The function of the ground beam is to ensure stability
against lateral forces.
Ground beams should not be confused with capping beams.
Capping beams perform the same function as pile caps.
However, the function of a ground beam is to connect
adjacent pile caps to ensure stability of the foundation.
Ground beams are designed to connect a group of pile caps
in a continuous manner.
The top and bottom reinforcement of a ground beam are
usually made equal to overcome lateral forces or settlement
٥٤

9.5 Grade Beams
Ground beams may also require shear reinforcement in the

form of binders.
The depth of the ground beam is usually more than 1/15 of
the span. The width of the beam depends on design
requirements.
In general, if a pile cap covers less than three piles, it should
be connected by ground beams to adjacent caps.
Ground beams can also be designed to transmit loads from
walls to pile caps.
9.5 Grade Beams
The purpose of tie beams is to connect pile caps together.

Tie beams will not carry any vertical loads such as walls etc.
Unlike tie beams, grade beams carry walls and other loads.
Tie beams
Grade beams
٥٥

9.5 Grade Beams
9.5 Grade Beams
٥٦

9.5 Grade Beams
9.5 Grade Beams
As-Built Plans
After construction of piles, it is necessary to prepare an as-

built pile location plan. Typically, a licensed surveyor
develops the as-built pile location plan.
Pile locations
٥٧

9.6 Piled Combined Footings
Combined pile cap is preferred when
The columns are spaced too closely •

The bearing capacity of pile is such that isolated pile cap design •
will require extent of the column foundation to go beyond the
property line.
Types of combined pile caps
Rectangular combined pile cap•

Trapezoidal or stepped combined pile cap•
Strap beam combined pile cap•
Rectangular Combined pile cap

If two or more columns are carrying almost equal loads, •
rectangular combined footing is provided.
Location of the resultant force x = Q2 S / (Q1+Q2)
Trapezoidal or stepped Combined
pile cap
If one of the columns is carrying •
much larger load one than the other,
trapezoidal combined footing is
.provided
C
b1 b2
m
n
L1 L2
٥٨

A
b
P2
L
P1 P2 pu
Section A-A
Transverse reinforcement
h
pu
Vu
Mu

B
P2
Transverse steel
Perimeter of
45o 45o
b bottom of
failure surface
b
Section B-B
Transverse Reinforcement
c d/2
c+d
٥٩

Strap beam combined pile cap
Strap footing is used to connect an eccentrically loaded •

column footing to an interior column so that the moment can be
transferred through the beam and have uniform stress
distribution beneath both the foundations.
This type of footing is preferred over the rectangular or •
trapezoidal footing if distance between the columns is
relatively large.
Some design considerations:•
1) Strap must be rigid: Istrap/Ipile cap > 2.
2) Pile caps should be proportioned to have approximately
equal pile loads in order to avoid differential settlement
3) Strap beam should not have contact with soil to avoid soil
٦٠

Strap beam combined pile cap
9.7 Piled Raft Foundations
Design Principles
A piled raft takes into account the contribution of both the
piles and the cap acting as a raft footing in carrying the
imposed load. Poulos (2001) summaries the different design
philosophies for piled raft foundations :
(a) Piles are mainly designed to take up the foundation

loads and the raft only carries a small proportion.
(b) The raft is designed to resist the foundation loads and
piles carry a small proportion of the total load. They are
placed strategically to reduce differential settlement.
(c) The raft is designed to take up majority of the
foundation loads. The piles are designed to reduce the net
contact pressure between the raft and the soils to a level
below the pre-consolidation pressure of the soil.
٦١

In Poulos' method, the vertical bearing capacity of a piled

raft is estimated by :
(a) taking the sum of the ultimate capacity of the raft and
all the piles, or
(b) taking the ultimate capacity of a block containing the
piles and the raft, plus that of the portion of the raft
outside the periphery of the piles, whichever is less.
Analysis of a Piled Raft Using

the Elastic Continuum Method
(Fleming et al, 1992)
٦٢

For a piled raft where the raft bears on a competent stratum, the approach of
combining the separate stiffness of the raft and the pile group using the
elastic continuum method is based on the use of average interaction factor,
αcp, between the pile and the piled raft (or cap).
Pile Foundation Support-

Support-Cost Components
support--cost components
support components::
Pile•
Conventional
Profile (as a function of depth)
Cap•
Column (matching allowable pile loads to structure column •
loads)
System•
٦٣

Define support cost.

cost.
The cost of an installed or constructed foundation element or

system divided by its allowable load, usually expressed in dollars per
ton (i
(i..e., how many dollars it costs to support one ton of load)
load)..
Pile Cost
Pile Support Cost = _________________
Allowable Pile Load
In general, higher allowable pile loads result in lower pile support costs:
costs:
Spread pile length invested to penetrate through poor soils over more •
capacity
In competent soils, capacity generally increases faster with depth than •
does cost

Pile Support Cost
$1,500 per pile $3,000 per pile

= $30 / ton = $20 / ton
50--ton allow.
50 150--ton allow.
150
load load
٦٤

Cap Cost
Cap Support Cost = _________________
Design Column Load
Higher allowable pile loads result in fewer piles, smaller

caps, and therefore lower cap support costs
costs..
Minimized cap support cost results from using the
minimum required number of piles
piles..

Pile Cap Cost + Σ Pile Costs

Column Support Cost = ____________________
Design Column Load
Measures how well the allowable pile load, in

conjunction with the minimum required number of piles,
matches the design column load
load..
Minimum column support cost results from using the
optimum allowable pile load.
load.
٦٥

Optimum Allowable Design Column Load

= ____________________
Pile Load Minimum Req’d No. of Piles
Design Column Load = 900 kips§

No.. of Piles = 3§
Minimum Req’d No
Optimum Allowable=Pile Load = §
______
900 kips
3 piles
= 300 kips/pile = 150 tons/pile
THANK YOU
Pile Foundations
by
Prof. Adel Ahmed Dif
Structural Eng. Dept.
Faculty of Engineering, El-Mansoura University
٦٦

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‫ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ‬

Design of Pile Caps

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A pile cap is defined as a concrete block cast on the head of

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The functions of a pile cap

1. To distribute a single load equally over the pile group

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9.2 Pile Cap Arrangement

Spacing of the piles in the pile group

The following should be considered when determining the

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§ Piles should be placed in a suitable arrangement so that

9.2 Pile Cap Arrangement

The simplest pile layout is one without batter piles. Such a

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After the preliminary layout was developed remaining load

9.2 Pile Cap Arrangement

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Typical Arrangement of Piles

9.2 Pile Cap Arrangement

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9.2 Pile Cap Arrangement

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2 PILES 3 PILES 4 PILES

Typical Arrangement of Piles 3D

6 PILES 7 PILES 8 PILES

9.2 Pile Cap Arrangement

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Typical Arrangement of Piles 1D 3D 3D 3D 1D

9.2 Pile Cap Arrangement

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9.2 Pile Cap Arrangement

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Typical pile head details for precast tubular piles

9.2 Pile Cap Arrangement

• Requirements for Pile Caps

• Pile Cap Reinforcement

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To a great extent the design and calculation (load analysis)

9.3 Load Distribution

Number and arrangement of piles shall be determined

For footings on piles (pile caps), computations for moments

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9.3 Load Distribution

Method of Expression of Design Load:

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Allowable Stress Design (ASD)

Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)

9.3 Load Distribution

Factors of Safety (F.S)

Σ Forces preventig failure

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9.3 Load Distribution

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9.3 Load Distribution

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Distribution of Horizontal Loads

9.3 Load Distribution

P4,5,6 = 1.5x 2000 + 0.0 = 333.33 KN

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9.4 Installation and service conditions affecting design

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9.4 Installation and service conditions affecting design