Design of Pilecaps

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Plan
M

V
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Section

Naveed Anwar

ACECOMS, AIT

Introduction
Pile foundations are extensively used to support the
substructures of bridges, buildings and other structures
Foundation cost represents a major portion
Limited design procedure of Pile cap Design
Need for a more realistic methods where
Pile cap size comparable with Columns size
Length of pile cap is much longer than its width
Pile cap is subjected to Torsion and biaxial Bending

Pile cap width, thickness and length are nearly the same

Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Beams, Footings and Pilecaps

Beam

L >> (b, h)
Use Beam Flexural and
Shear-Torsion Theory

Footing
L

(b, L) >> h
Use Beam/Slab Flexural and
Shear Theory

Pile-cap
b <=> h <=> L
L

Use Which Theory ??

h

Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Current Design Procedures

Pile cap as a Simple Flexural Member
standard specifications (AASHTO, ACI codes) are used.
Beam/Slab theories or truss analogies are used, and torsion is not
covered for special cases

The Tie and Strut Model

More realistic, post cracking model
No explicit way to incorporate column moments and torsion
No consideration for high compressive stress at the point where all the
compression struts are assumed to meet.
Assumption of struts to originate at the center line is questionable

The Deep Beam, Deep Bracket Design Approach

Mostly favored by CRSI, takes into account Torsion, Shear
enhancement
Complex, insufficient information on its applicability.
Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Conventional Design Procedure

The pile cap design load consists of column loads, weight of pile
cap, back-fill and surcharge. All horizontal loads are transferred
to the center of pile cap.
The sectional model is utilized for pile cap design and the design
of deep flexural member is considered.
For design by sectional model, Pile reactions are determined by
the combined stress equation.
The critical section for computing moment is located at the
column face in each directions.
Minimum reinforcement for flexural member to be provided is
adequate to develop a factored resistance of 1.2 x Mcr which is
equal to 0.90/fy for concrete C25.
Minimum steel ratio for bottom reinforcement is 0.0020 x b x t in
each direction
Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Conventional Design Procedure

Shear Considerations
Beam shear with critical section at d from face of column
Punching shear with critical section at d/2 from face of column
Deep beam shear using CRSI recommendation with critical
section at face of column
Two-way deep corbel shear using CRSI recommendation with
critical section at perimeter of column

Punching shear of individual pile at corners

Combined shear and torsion with critical section at d from
face column

Combined shear and torsion with critical section at face

column
.
Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Pile Reactions: Rigid Cap Method

Each pile carries an equal amount of the load for`
concentric axial load on the cap or for n piles carrying a
total load Q , the load per pile is
The combined stress equation ( assuming a planar stress
distribution ) is valid for a pile cap non centrally loaded or
loaded with a load Q and a moment, as
Q M yx Mx y
Pp

n x2 y2

Where

Mx, M y

= moments about x and y axes, respectively

x ,y = distances from y and x axes to any pile
x , y = moment of inertia of the group, computed as I I o
2

Design of Pilecaps

Ad 2

ACECOMS, AIT

Pile Reactions: Rigid Cap Method

The assumption that each pile in a group carries equal
load may be nearly Correct when the following criteria
are all met:

.The pile cap is in contact with the ground

.The piles are all vertical.
.Load is applied at the centre of the pile group
.The pile group is symmetrical and cap is very thick

Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Punching Shear: ACI Equations

Concrete Capacity, Vc

Direct Shear

Shear with Moment Transfer

4 '
Vc 2 f c bo d
c

sd '
Vc 2
f c bo d
bo

Vc 4 f c' bo d

Vu
vu
bo d

vu

Design of Pilecaps

Vu v M u1c v M u 2c

bo d
J c1
Jc2
ACECOMS, AIT

Footing - Column Connection

Transfer of Moment
Partially by flexure: Top or Bottom Bars near the column
f 1.0 on edge / outer sup port

1
M f M f f
2 b
1 1
3 b2

when Vu 0.75VC
Vu 0.5VC

edge column
corner column

f 1.25 f on inerior sup ports

when Vu 0.4VC

Partially by eccentricity of shear: Non-uniform distribution of

shear stresses

M v M v v (1 f )

Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

The Space Truss Model

Naveed Anwar
ACECOMS, AIT

Truss Model for behavior of Pile caps

Truss analogy already in use
For shear design of Shallow and Deep beams
For Torsion design of shallow beams
For design of Pilecaps
For design of joints and D regions
For Brackets and corbels
Proposed use of Modified Space Truss Model
Unified and integrated design of RC Members for combined
moment, shear and torsion where significant cracking is
expected
Does not apply to design of compression/ tension members

Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Simple Vs Modified Truss Model

a=1.6

a=1.6
P=10,000 kN

d=1.4

d=1.4

h=1.6

d=1.4

h=1.6

L=2.5

L=2.5
1

a) Simple "Strut & Tie" Model

T
T

= tan-1 d/0.5L
= 48 deg
= 0.5P/tan
= 4502 kN

Design of Pilecaps

c) Modified Truss Model B

T
T

= tan-1 d/0.5(L-d1)
= 68.5 deg
= 0.5P/tan
= 1970 kN

ACECOMS, AIT

A Space Truss Model for Pilecap

P1

a2

a2

P4

P2

P3
d

L2
L1
Main members
Secondary members

Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Tie-Strut Model

d
L/d =1
L/a =0.5
L

L/d =2
L/a =1

Effect of Span:Depth Ratio

L/d = 3
L/a = 1.5

L/d = 4
L/a = 2

L/d = 5
L/a = 2.5

L/d = 6
L/a = 3

Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Not OK: Too Shallow

Tie-Strut Model
Tension in Bottom Chord

Effect of Strut Angle

Angle = 18 De g

OK: Most Ecconomical

Angle = 34 De g

OK: USed by ACI Code

Angle = 45 De g

NOT OK: Too Steep and Expensive

Angle = 64 De g

Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Modified Space Truss Model

General
MSTM is created using the basic assumptions of the Space Truss
Theory and the Tie-Strut approach with appropriate modifications.
MSTM gives more realistic results taking into account the
Uses actual dimensions of the column and its location.
The stiffness of the piles, ratios the dimensions of the pile cap.

Assumptions
The concrete in the pile cap is assumed to resist no direct tension.
All tension is resisted by the reinforcement. The reinforcement in a
particular zone can be lumped together as a single Tie.
All compression is resisted by the concrete.
The columns axial loads and moments are assumed to be
transferred to the pile cap at the corners of the equivalent
rectangular column section
Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Construction of Model
Identify the overall form and geometry of the truss.
Connect the primary nodes with each other by primary
horizontal and diagonal members.
Add secondary members to the basic truss to provide static
stability for anticipated load cases.
Generally use a spring element to represent the piles, however
for determinate trusses (2, 3, 4 pile) simple support; can also be
used.
Add lateral restraint, to the nodes at the top of the piles to
ensure the overall stability of the truss. Determine the
approximate areas of the cross-section of these truss members.
Apply equivalent loads to the truss model at the column nodes.
Analyze the structure using any appropriate computer program.
Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Interpretation of the Results

Reinforcement should be provided along all directions where
truss members are in significant tension.
This reinforcement should be provided along the direction of the
truss member
The distribution of the reinforcement should be such that its
centroid is approximately in line with the assumed truss element.
The compression forces in the struts should be checked for the
compressive stresses in the concrete, assuming the same area to
be effective, as that used in the construction of the model.
The Bearing Stress should be checked at top of piles and at base
of columns

Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Interpretation of the Results

Reinforcement should be provided along all directions where
truss members are in significant tension.
This reinforcement should be provided along the direction of the
truss member
The distribution of the reinforcement should be such that its
centroid is approximately in line with the assumed truss element.
The compression forces in the struts should be checked for the
compressive stresses in the concrete, assuming the same area to
be effective, as that used in the construction of the model.
The Bearing Stress should be checked at top of piles and at base
of columns

Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT

Application of MSTM
P
D

P
P
P

L1

a) Two Pile Case

d) Six Pile Case

L1 < (3D + b)

P
1

L2 < (3D + b)

a2

a2

P
4

P
d

e) Sixteen Pile Case (Also for 12 pile, 14 pile, 20 pile)

L1

L2
Main members
Secondary members

c) Four Pile Case

Design of Pilecaps

d) Three Pile Case

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Application of MSTM

L1

a
L2

2- Pile, S mall L L < (3D + b)

L1

4- Pile

Design of Pilecaps

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Application of MSTM
L1
b

b
a
L2

5- Pile

D
D

L1

2- Pile, Large L L > (3D + b)

Design of Pilecaps

ACECOMS, AIT