Dr. N.

Subramanian wrote:

Dear Er Ghosh

The Indian code (IS 456) suggests that the pile cap to be designed using the sectional
method (by the bending action). International codes, based on recent research are
recommending the Strut-and-Tie Method. (see Section 15.9.1 of my RC Design book, which
also contains an example designed by both these methods). The publication (M.S. Thesis)
at http://publications.lib.chalmers.se/records/fulltext/132140.pdf,

gives extensive report of the struct-and-tie method of analysis for pile caps, some recent
solutions and examples.

Naturally, the detailing of reinforcements in these two methods are different. Grid type
reinforcement is used in sectional method and bans of reinforcements in strut-and-tie
method. (see also Fig. 15.46 of my book).

While detailing according to sectional approach, a common mistake made bydesigners is to

underestimate the need for anchorage of the flexural reinforcement atthe supports. One of
the main advantages of the strut-and-tie model is that it clearlyindicates to the designer that
tension is resisted in nodes, and thus the need ofanchorage is obvious.  Different anchorage
solutions can be provided depending mainly on thegeometry of the pile cap and the state of
stress close to the nodal zone. The designershould try to avoid cracking of concrete in nodal
zones as well as cracking of theinclined strut when detailing the anchorage region.

To reduce the cracking in the nodal zone it is better to spread the flexuralreinforcement a bit
around the node, thus confining the node and transferring aportion of the steel bars out of
the nodal region. This arrangement will reduce tensilestrains and thus the tendency to
crack  in the nodal region. It is important to note that the designer has to consider that
spreading the reinforcement will create extratransverse tensile stresses in the vicinity of the
node for which additional U-bendshave to be provided. The node region can also be confined
using vertical stirrups,which is good for the anchorage.

It is important to keep the compressive strut with no or little cracking, as long as possible. If
thecompressive strut is badly cracked, it will fail in a combination of splitting andcrushing
before the full capacity of the main reinforcement can be used, resulting in ashear failure. A
way to reduce cracking of the inclined strut in the web is to use stirrups with lowbond in the
area were the stirrups cross the strut. This kind of reinforcement has apositive effect of
reducing cracking in the web, but has a greater need for anchorage inboth the compressive
and tensile chords. However, space is usually not a problem inpile caps were a lot of volumes
with good confinement can be used for anchorage. More details of these confining
reinforcements and the anchoring can be found in the cited thesis, which also has examples.

Best wishes
NS

ghoshuttamkumar wrote:

Hello SEFIANS,
I need your kind help to solve an issue of pile cap reinforcements. As per SP 34 ,
horizontal ties are required to resist bursting. In clause no. 6.9.4.2 it is mentioned
that the reinforcements should be provided around outer piles. In the
reinforcement details sketches (fig. 6.10) these rebars are provided like side face
rebars. In fig 6.12, binding steel around projected pile bars are shown separately
for a 3-piled cap. My question is whether both the binding steel(around pile bars)
and bursting steel(as side face)are to be provided-if so there will be congestion of
rebars. For your ready reference two pages from SP 34 are enclosed. Kindly help.

With best regards,

Uttam K Ghosh