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Timber Pile Section Verification (resisting moment vs computed moment) 2

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pelelo

Geotechnical
Aug 10, 2009
357
Engineers,

I am performing a timber pile design. Similar to the steel pile design, after i compute my lateral moment (LPILE) and make sure that the lateral deflection is adequate, i compare the steel pile resisting moment (f'y and section modulus) against the computed moment (LPILE), if resisting is greater than the computed moment, then the section is ok.

I understand the same procedure should be followed for timber piles. However, Does anyone knows where to get the section modulus of timber piles?, In my case, i plan to use the southern pine specie, 8 inches diameter at the butt and 7 inches diameter at the tip, with a lenght of 20 ft.

I have been trying to look for tables, similar to the steel profiles, but haven't found anything. The Timber pile design and construction manual is somewhat vague at this.

Please advise,
 
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pelelo said:
Does anyone knows where to get the section modulus of timber piles?

Calculate it.
The cross section of a timber pile approximates a circle.
Section Modulus of a circle (axis of moments through the center) = pi x R3 / 4.
If you want to be conservative, use the tip diameter for the calcs.
If you need section modulus at a specific location on the pile, interpolate the diameter between the tip and butt. Timber piles have a fairly constant taper.

BTW, timber pile specs usually specify the circumference 3 ft. from the butt, not actually at the butt. Of course, diameter is easily calculated from circumferance This is to allow for the way trees tend to enlarge near the stump.

[idea]
 
This is unbelievable. A basic calculation for an engineer Shows what use of computers has left us.
 
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