Piers, Pedestals, and Short Columns
Piers, Pedestals, and Short Columns
(OP)
I have a question about the difference between (concrete) piers, pedestals, and short columns. I have a colleague that wants a foundation pedestal and/or a shallow pier to be designed as a short column (large reinforcement ratio). I don't know whether I am right, but I think that there is a difference. I tried to explain that a short column is intended for a structural component of building framing (not the foundation). I want to know whether I am right in my thinking or whether I have been steered wrong in my education.
We are constantly designing square footings with pedestals, shallow piers (sonotube cast 4'-5' deep).
Any comments?
We are constantly designing square footings with pedestals, shallow piers (sonotube cast 4'-5' deep).
Any comments?






RE: Piers, Pedestals, and Short Columns
We are Virginia Tech
Go HOKIES
RE: Piers, Pedestals, and Short Columns
Otherwise it should be designed as a column.
RE: Piers, Pedestals, and Short Columns
RE: Piers, Pedestals, and Short Columns
Axial, moment, & shear.
I've had "piers" that had very high moments, shears and axial and all combination's thereof. I usually even consider shear at the base of the column as bending at the base of the pier where it ties into footing even though that is probably conservative because of lateral soil pressures.
Basically what I am getting at is I design the pier for whatever part(s) of the code I believe it falls under, make sense?
RE: Piers, Pedestals, and Short Columns
RE: Piers, Pedestals, and Short Columns
I agree, but sometimes loading can dictate that they act more like a cantilever beam...albeit rarely.
RE: Piers, Pedestals, and Short Columns
Agreed. I guess I was missing the point of the OP.