If you have a pile connected to the cap with dowels, you want enough distance for the longitudinal cap edge bars to pass outside the pile dowels. Also, consider pile location tolerances in addition to the bar clearance distance. We typically design 18" to 24" prestressed concrete piles or 24" to 48" steel piles. With a plus or minus 6" pile tolerance, about 6" additional to get all the longitudinal bars past with 3" cover, we generally leave a foot from the outer edge of the pile in theoretical position to the edge of cap. My experience is to be generous with this dimension. On caps, rebar placement can be more expensive than concrete so make it easy for the
rod-busters.
Bob G.