Pile Cap Design

[abusementpark]

I am just curious what everyone uses to design pile caps.

Is there a certain program that is good for pile cap design?Does anyone still use quick and dirty hand methods?

I am refering to the structural design of the pile cap, not the distribution of forces to the individual piles.

 

[WillisV]

Typical column ones - I just pick them out of the CRSI handbook. Unusual ones, shearwall foundations, etc, I just design by hand using CRSI methods (deep beam shear etc).

 

[Lutfi]

I use TG Pile. It is sold by Digital Canal. Before that, I used to do things by hand.

This links gives you technical specs:

http://www.digitalcanal.com/structural/pcspec.htm

You can also download a working trial copy.


Regards,
Lutfi

 

[msquared48]

I also just use CRSI tables.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[GreenMan1978]

Mat3d..
Staad..

 

[swivel63]

this old crsi program. or by hand.

 

[tolchijb]

What do you do when the geotech report requires spacing bigger than CRSI gives for its canned pile caps?

 

[swivel63]

make the cap bigger?

 

[Teguci]

Use the old CRSI DOS programs

 

[swivel63]

^^^^^ i love that program

i still have it on my computer at home

 

[WillisV]

I use it sometime as well...HB Pilecap right?

 

[Dad2one]

My company uses Pile Cap Analysis and Design
website: structuraltools.com

 

[StructuralEd]

structuraltools.com.....$1500 to design pile caps?????

Buy a CRSI manual with the caps already designed in the tables.

 

[KootK]

The Canadian code has taken to suggesting the use of Strut & Tie models for most typically proportioned pile caps. This can be a LOT of work depending on the geometry involved . The reinforcement demands end up being substantially more than you would get using quick and dirty sectional design techniques too which is a little bit concerting.

I've also always wondered with S&T designed pile caps: is it best to concentrate all of the tie reinf over the piles or can it be distributed across the entire cap? It seems to me that distribution would be desirable and possible, so long as you considered the impact on tie development length etc.

 

[Dad2one]

Yes, but how do you design them if your spacing or column size is not tabulated? CRSI's program is fine for that but when piles are placed out of tolerance and the contractor needs an answer yesterday, checking and/or fixing them with CRSI's program was, at times, extremely time-consuming and at that point the tables cannot help.

 

[KootK]

How does one come by this CRSI program?

 

[Dad2one]

It's an old DOS program and I don't think it's offered any more. My company had it when I got there. But I would just call CRSI and ask them.

 

[abusementpark]

What does that CRSI program do for irregular pile caps?

 

[oneintheeye]

if not typical dimension so beam analysis is appropiriate and use a typical analysis program.

 

[vandede427]

for odd patterns, you'll just have to look at the cap in plan and pick some beam-shear/punch-shear failure planes based on engineering judgment.

don't make it too complicated. assume each pile beyond that failure plane (probable shear crack is a better term) has it's full capacity, apply those shears and moments to the cap.