Pile foundation retrofit
Pile foundation retrofit
(OP)
We are dealing with an existing building with its columns supported by pile caps and prestressed concrete piles.
Could anyone direct me to any resources/articles regarding the strengthening methods of such piles to increase their load bearing (both gravity and seismic) capacities?
Thank you.
Could anyone direct me to any resources/articles regarding the strengthening methods of such piles to increase their load bearing (both gravity and seismic) capacities?
Thank you.





RE: Pile foundation retrofit
RE: Pile foundation retrofit
Mike Lambert
RE: Pile foundation retrofit
Obviously you won't be able to add driven piles, but you may be able to use
Drilled Piers, Auger-Cast, etc.
RE: Pile foundation retrofit
The other issue is the thickness of the existing pile cap. Any idea how feasible it is to thicken the pile cap while all the piles below are already in place?
RE: Pile foundation retrofit
RE: Pile foundation retrofit
You need a structural engineer to address the cap question, but I would guess that you could thicken the cap from the top if there is room. Maybe roughen the column and bond the new cap to it.
We once added a third floor to a hospital by analyzing the belled piers on which it was founded, determining that they were conservatively designed and could take additional load, and surveying the building to confirm that the present settlement was small. Sometimes a good geotechnical engineer can pay for himself.