Lateral bracing of precast piles

[engr567]

I am designing precast piles and concrete slab on grade support system for a project in Maryland. Not being so familiar with deep foundation system, is there a bracing requirement for precast piles (braced laterally by the grade beam as the slab on grade will not be able to brace the pile caps) per IBC or ACI? I am looking for a reference for this requirement. Any help is appreciated.

Every Problem is an Opportunity for Engineers!!!!

 

[Teguci]

Talk to your Geotech regarding any large caves (karst topography) for bracing by the soil. For seismic category C (max for MD typically)there is a requirement for lateral bracing of the pile caps. Again, talk to the geotech. Unless you are in a subsiding swampland, you should be able to use the soil to brace the pile caps as required by code. Worst case, provide grade beams or tie the pile caps to the slab on grade (if you tie to SOG, you will need to design at least a strip of the SOG to ACI 318 to transfer structural loads and provide for deflection difference between SOG and cap).

Ref - IBC chapter 18 - piers and piles section - you will want to be familiar with that whole section.

 

[engr567]

thanks Teguci.

Every Problem is an Opportunity for Engineers!!!!