4/16/2018 How to Design Pile Cap for Group of Piles in Foundation?

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How to Design Pile Cap for Group of Piles in Foundation?

Design of Pile Cap

A pile cap is the mat that rests on groups of piles and forms part of the foundation. The pile cap design, shape,
and dimensions are discussed here.

Shape and Size of Pile Caps

The shape and plan dimensions of the pile cap depends on the number of piles in the group and the spacing
between each pile. The most common shapes of pile caps are shown in figure below.

Fig.: Triangular Pile Cap for 3 piles

Fig.: Hexagonal pile cap for 6 to 7 piles

Fig.: Rectangular pile cap for all other number of piles

These pile cap shapes minimize the plan area for a symmetrical arrangement of piles about the load.

The pile cap should overhang the outer piles by at least 150mm but should not be excessive, generally not more
than the diameter of the pile diameter.

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This minimizes the plan area and thus the cost, while providing sufficient length to:

Anchor the tension reinforcement with a large radius bend

Ensure adequate cover to the reinforcement

Satisfy construction tolerances.

Depth of Pile Cap:

The depth of pile cap is governed by the following criteria, where applicable:

Shear capacity of pile cap (beam and punching shear)

Shrinkage and swelling of clay

Frost attacks

Pile anchorage

Water table and soluble sulphates

Holding down bolt assemblies for steel columns

From the criterias above, shear is the most critical criteria for selection of depth of pile cap.

Generally, a pile cap is much deeper than a pad footing of similar dimensions, because it is subjected to much
higher concentrated reactions, and consequently to much higher bending moments and shear forces.

However, the increased depth gives the pile cap greater rigidity which is advantageous in spreading the load
evenly to all piles.

The Federation of Piling Specialists recommend the following most effective pile cap depths for a range of pile
diameters as shown in table below:

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Table: Pile cap depth for different pile diameters

Pile Diameters (mm) Depth of Pile Cap (mm)

300 700

350 800

400 900

450 1000

500 1100

550 1200

600 1400

750 1800

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