low breaks for piers
low breaks for piers
(OP)
The 56 day break for the bell-bottomed piers on one of my jobs came back a little over 2100 psi. I had specified 3000 psi, however I was not privileged to see the mix design before hand, and now the builder wants me to come up with a fix or write a letter that says everything is ok.
While I am not all that excited about the situation, the reality is the piers are essentially only in compression and even at 2100 psi, they are still much stronger than the soil they bear on. Is there anything else I should be worried about? The only "fix" I can think of is to retro-fit in a bunch of piers, but this would be ugly, and not even really an option on the interior piers. Any thoughts?
While I am not all that excited about the situation, the reality is the piers are essentially only in compression and even at 2100 psi, they are still much stronger than the soil they bear on. Is there anything else I should be worried about? The only "fix" I can think of is to retro-fit in a bunch of piers, but this would be ugly, and not even really an option on the interior piers. Any thoughts?





RE: low breaks for piers
Also check the bearing stress at the top of the pile (under the baseplate or whatever).
csd
RE: low breaks for piers
and I'd add that you have essentially followed ACI 5.6.5.
Since your f'c is now at 2100 psi, you have done the proper next step and checked the structure capacity at 2100...if it is OK at that level, then nothing more needs to be done if you are satisfied with that lower strength level.
RE: low breaks for piers
On a related note, rather than writing a letter stating it's okay, I would ask the contractor to prepare a deviation request and then if you're happy with everything, approve that request.
Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website: www.oil-gas-consulting.com
RE: low breaks for piers
RE: low breaks for piers
RE: low breaks for piers