Pile (Caisson) Analysis and Design for Bridge Pier Foundations (ACI 318-19)
Reinforced concrete piles and caissons are essential deep foundation elements used to transfer structural loads to deeper, more stable soil or rock layers, especially in challenging conditions where shallow foundations are inadequate. Commonly used in foundations for bridge piers, buildings, and industrial facilities, these elements provide critical support against axial and lateral forces. In this case study, a pile supported mat foundation (known as pile cap) shown below supports a highway bridge pier.
spMats from StructurePoint will be used to model and analyze the pile cap and determine the individual pile reactions. These reactions will then be exported to spColumn from StructurePoint using the "Export to spColumn CTI files" tool to design and optimize the piles for two scenarios: (1) piles pinned to the pile cap and (2) piles fixed to the pile cap. Additionally, a comparison between different transverse confinement types - tied and spiral reinforcement - will be conducted to evaluate their influence on pile capacity and behavior.
Figure 1 – Reinforced Concrete Piles and Pile Cap