×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Pier type footing stability

Pier type footing stability

Pier type footing stability

(OP)
I'm designing a carport type of structure in California using 4 10 foot deep piers supporting columns that support a roof. In the IBC section 1808.2.5, piers are required to have lateral stability by connecting at least 3 piers. Wouldn't the soil surrounding the piers provide lateral stability for them? Am I misunderstanding something from this code?

RE: Pier type footing stability

I am not very familiar with your code, but would this connection have something to do with lateral stability of your overall structure in the light of seismic design considerations.

RE: Pier type footing stability

(OP)
I don't think that's the case VAD. It almost seems like they're treating the pier as a pile, which probably should have some form of lateral stability.

RE: Pier type footing stability

I believe VAD is correct.  In the case of an earthquake the soil around the structure may not provide sufficient support to the pier, as it could move independently of the piers.  Consequently, the pier would not have lateral support.  Therefore, it is necessary to tie them together to ensure lateral stability.

Leo Sanchez
www.sanchezengineering.ca

RE: Pier type footing stability

Not only that, but liquefaction or sand boils could significantly reduce or eliminate the lateral resistance seen by the pile, plus lower the point of curvature of the pile, creating instability.  

The addition of grade beams between the pile would add mass and stiffness at the ground level to alter the response of the total system during such an event.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto:  KISS
Motivation:  Don't ask

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources