Pile Cap Design | Pile Cap Construction | Piles Structure | Pile Cap Foundations | Square Piling Caps | Pile Cap Reinforcement

Introduction of Pile Cap:

• The pile cap is a type of thick concrete mat-like structure which rests on the pile (timber or concrete) which gives a stable foundation to the whole system.
• This concrete pile cap transfers the entire load of the superstructure to the into the piles, which gives you a stable bearing capacity.
• The similar structure of the pile cap is a raft foundation, where there is also a concrete block-like structure is constructed.

Pile Cap Design: 

The pile cap is a mat-like structure which rests on the group of piles to transfer loads from the super structure.

By IS 2911-2010, the pile cap could be arranged that the column’s load is spread at 45° out of the top of the cap.

#1. Suppositions in the Pile Cap Design

• The pile cap is must be rigidly set to the structure.
• Though piles are slight elastic column, that’s why some distortions will be found, and we need to measure those in the plan.
• The heads of the pile are pivoted to the pile cap to provide safety from the bending moment occur in a pile.

#2. Limitations of Pile Cap Designing

• Shape and form of the pile cap.
• Quantity of steel is used in the pile cap.
• Reinforcement placing in the pile cap.
• Depth of pile.

#3. Characteristics of Pile Cap Designing

• The dimension of the pile is considered by the overhanging portion of the pile cap is not less than 100 mm, it would be highly preferable if you provide 150 mm.
• The thickness of the pile cap is needed to be higher because the reinforcements of columns may come out and overlay to the reinforcement of the pile cap.
• In pile cap construction, the clear cover must be more than 40 mm.
• The pile cap’s span to thickness ratio must be not excess than 5. The pile cap must be relatively rigid to transfer the load to the pile section to downwards.
• The thickness must not be below 500 mm, and it’s decreased to the 300 mm on the peripheries.
• The pile must not less than 50 mm into the pile cap.
• The upper coarse of pile cap is not less than 75 mm thick concrete.

Also, Read: What Is Pad Foundation | Failure of Pad Foundation | Pad Foundation Detail | Types of Pad Foundation | Design of the Pad Footing Depends on Several Factors

Pile Cap Construction:

• The pile cap is a mat-like structure which is made of cement, sand and small aggregates.
• This mixture is placed in the required place, and it is supported by the framework to resist the whole structure from sagging and crack, this entire process is termed as shuttering and reinforcing.
• In a pile, cap reinforcements are placed in the longitudinal section of the pile cap, and it creates a wire type of reinforcement.
• At first, the reinforcement cage is placed in the pointed place; then the framework is done by timber to hold the wet concrete.
• After the concrete has placed then the most vital job is to remove the air bubbles from the concrete; otherwise, the concrete gets porous, and it may be weaker.
• After concrete placing, compaction and finishing happen then the concrete starts its internal reaction and it generates a lot of amount of heat that’s why we need to cure the concrete by the water curing process.
• In the vast amount of concrete placing, there is a coolant that is used to reduce the heat, which is produced by hydration is called refrigerant coolant.
• So, these are those actions which are very useful during the construction of the pile cap.

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Piles Structure:

The pile is generally a strong cylinder structure which supports loads of superstructure and transfers it to the subsoil. The pile cap is constructed just above the pile.

Pile foundation is used in some following situations, those are-

1. Pile foundation is used when the subsoil is weaker, but the superstructure load is too heavy to carry that by shallow footing, then we use a pile foundation structure.
2. When the structure load is too heavy like a bridge, water tank, high rise building, etc., we need to use a pile foundation.

Piles are mainly two types, those are-

1. End-bearing Pile: In this type of pile, the end portion of this pile rests on the hard starts below the ground. In this type of pile is acting as a vertical column.
2. Friction Pile: when the structural load is too heavy, but the subsoil is not too hard, and we can not find hard strata in a reasonable depth, then we need to use friction pile. This type of pile dia is too large because to increase the surface area for the friction.

Also, Read: What Is the Best Foundation for a House | Types of House Foundations | How to Build a House Foundation | What Is the Strongest Foundation for a House

Pile Cap Foundations:

Foundation of the pile cap depends upon various points, those are-

#1. Shape and Size of Pile cap

The shape and dimensions depend upon the numbers of the pile and the spacing between two piles.

Like- Triangular pile cap for three piles, hexagonal pile cap for 6-7 piles, rectangular pile cap for other numbers of the pile, etc.

This type of pile cap is used to reduce the pile cap area because it’s compact the position of the pile.

The pile cap should not be overhanging more than 150 mm. This minimum area provides sufficient length to:

• Tension reinforcement has a large radius bend.
• Make sure that enough reinforcement cover.
• Must satisfy construction tolerance.

#2. Depth of Pile Cap

Depth of pile cap is another section in the pile cap foundation works. The following criteria are considered-

• Shrinkage of clay
• Shear capacity of the pile cap
• Pile anchorage
• Natural condition like frost attack
• The water table of the ground surface

Naturally, the depth of the pile cap is much more than pad footing; that’s why it can carry more concentrated loads.

Pile cap depth for different diameters of the pile-

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Square Piling Caps.

• The square pile cap is one type of popular pile cap structure.
• In this pile cap structure, all the piles are situated in a combined and compacted way.
• The square pile cap is provided when the number of piles is even; it may be four, six, eight etc.
• The square pile cap is highly used in bridge structure, high rise building, etc.

Also, Read: What is Floating Foundation | Suitability of the Floating Foundation | Advantages & Disadvantage of Floating Foundation | How to Build a Floating House Foundation

Pile Cap Reinforcement.

• Pile cap reinforcement and it’s calculation is one of the most essential things in the pile cap section.
• Before starting the main calculation, we need to find out the main volume of the pile cap that is (length x breadth x height)
• Bar bending schedule table for reinforcement:

• In pile cap designing, we use reinforcement cage; it increases the strength of vertical concrete column when the soil condition is not good.
• In the case of the prefabricated pile, the piles are directly placed in the site, and then the pile cap reinforcement works are done.

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