Pile capacities published in LADOTD's Bridge Design Manual 2

[CASALA]

Does anyone know exactly how the LADOTD developed the pile capacities published in their Bridge Design Manual? It does not appear to be the standard bearing capacity formula for PPC piles as the subnotes state that the indicated capacites are based on L/d values ranging from 10 to 25. The subnote goes on to say that the capacities include a base FS of 4 and additional FS ranging from 1.6-2.2 (doesn't say which indicated capacites include the 1.6 and which include the 2.2). The method is intended to be a simplified method for determining what size piles should be used, but I would rather know how the capacities were determined so as to not blindly use the table.

 

[Ron]

Call the state bridge, structural, or geotechnical engineer and ask the question. One of them should be able to give you the basis of the table.

 

[bridgebuster]

I agree with Ron. However, take a look at the attached document. It has a brief suimmary of LADOTD's experience with LRFD related to substructure design.