Research and Development

Pile Cap Design (SAFE)

Input Data:

* Material Properties
Concrete Strength fc’
Rebar Yield Stress fy

* Pile Properties
Pile Length L
Pile Diameter Dp
Pile Area Ap

* Loads/Pile Lay-out

Final Pile Lay-out

SAFE Model

ANALYSIS/DESIGN

1. Define/Modify Slab properties

* thickness t
* slab material fc'

Note: Assume thickness for pile cap.

Check later on shear.
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Pile Cap Design (SAFE)

2. Input the load combinations to be used.

Service Load Combinations

- to determine the number of piles under
service loadings
* 1.0DL + 1.0LL UBC 97 Sec. 1612.3.1 and
* 1.043DL + 0.714E ACI 318 Sec.9.2.1
* 0.757DL - 0.714E
* 1.107DL + 0.75LL + 0.536E
* 0.893DL + 0.75LL - 0.536E

Ultimate Load Combinations

- for the design of pile caps on flexure and
shear
* 1.4DL + 1.7LL ACI 318 Appendix C
* 1.52DL + 0.55LL + 1.0ρE
* 1.08DL + 0.55LL - 1.0ρE
* 1.12DL + 1.0ρE
* 0.68DL - 1.0ρE

3. Draw/Model pilecap according to number of piles.

(sample shown below)

Foundation Analysis and Design

by Joseph E. Bowles
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Pile Cap Design (SAFE)

4. Check One Way Shear and Punching Shear

A. One Way Shear

Show Strip Shear to check one way shear

strip width

𝑉_𝑐=1/6 √(𝑓_𝑐^
′ ) 𝑏𝑑

* Compare the allowable shear in concrete Vc

to actual shear Vu

* If Vu>Vc adjust pile cap depth

B. Punching Shear

Show Punching Shear design to check two

way shear

* Compare the allowable shear in concrete Vc

to actual shear Vu/Reaction
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* If Vu>Vc adjust pile cap depth

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Pile Cap Design (SAFE)

Note: Shear often controls the depth of

foundation.

Stripping Technique

Actual stripping in SAFE affects the actual

rebar and shear results. The same in mat design,
L/4 from shear wall and column is the extent of
column strip and the middle L/2 is the middle strip.
For pile cap design, it requires the designer's
judgment in stripping.

Rebar extent produced by SAFE does not consider

the development length. Consider this for final rebar
layout in detail.

(L = clear distance)

sample stripping shown below

5. Design

Run Analysis and Design

Show Slab Design SAFE Model
(sample shown below)
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Pile Cap Design (SAFE)

Area of Rebars per strip

Minimum rebars

Slabs where Grade 415 deformed bars or ACI 318 Sec. 7.12.2
welded wire fabric (smooth or deformed) are
used………………………………..0.0018

Minimum Rebar of thickness t

Amin = 0.0018 x 1000mm x t

(assuming 1000mm width)

sample:
t=2500mm

Amin = 0.0018x1000x2500mm (two layer

2 rebars
distributed
at top and
bottom
faces of
foundation)

Amin = 0.0018x1000x2500mm (one layer

rebars)

Compute for Area required, Areq

𝑠/𝐴_𝑏
=𝑏/𝐴_𝑡 where: s = spacing
Ab = rebar area
𝑠=(𝐴_𝑏 𝑥 b = strip width
𝑏)/𝐴_𝑡
At = total area
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