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Bridges & Structures

Pile Foundation Design Flowchart Chart P

  1. Define Subsurface Conditions and Any Geometric Constraints S10.4 Design Step P.1

    Commentary for 1: Subsurface exploration and geotechnical recommendations are usually separate tasks.

  2. Determine Applicable Loads and Load Combinations S3 Design Step P.2

    Commentary for 2: Loads and load combinations are determined in previous design steps.

  3. Factor Loads for Each Combination S3 Design Step P.3

    Commentary for 3: Loads and load combinations are determined in previous design steps.

  4. Verify Need for a Pile Foundation S10.6.2.2 Design Step P.4

    Commentary for 4: Refer to FHWA-HI-96-033, Section 7.3.

  5. Select Suitable Pile Type and Size Based on Factored Loads and Subsurface Conditions Design Step P.5

    Commentary for 5: Guidance on pile type selection is provided in FHWA-HI-96-033, Chapter 8.

  6. Determine Nominal Axial Structural Resistance for Selected Pile Type and Size S6.9.4 Design Step P.6

  7. Determine Nominal Axial Geotechnical Resistance for Selected Pile Type and Size S10.7.3.5 Design Step P.7

  8. Determine Factored Axial Structural Resistance for Single Pile S6.5.4.2 Design Step P.8

  9. Determine Factored Axial Geotechnical Resistance for Single Pile STable 10.5.5-2 Design Step P.9

  10. Check Driveability of Pile S10.7.1.14 Design Step P.10

  11. Is pile driveable to minimum of ultimate geotechnical or structural resistance without pile damage?

    Commentary for 11: Refer to S6.15.4 and S10.7.1.16.

  12. Do Preliminary Pile Layout Based on Factored Loads and Overturning Moments Design Step P.11

  13. Is pile layout workable and within geometric constraints?

  14. Evaluate Pile Head Fixity S10.7.3.8 Design Step P.12

  15. Perform Pile Soil Interaction Analysis S6.15.1 & S10.7.3.11 Design Step P.13

    Commentary for 15: Pile soil interaction analysis is performed using Fb-Pier.

  16. Check Geotechnical Axial Capacity S10.5.3 Design Step P.14

  17. Check Structural Axial Capacity S6.5.4.2, C6.15.2 & S6.15.3.1 Design Step P.15

    Commentary for 17: Check in lower portion of pile.

  18. Check Structural Capacity in Combined Bending & Axial S6.5.4.2, S6.6.2.2, C6.15.2 & S6.15.3.2 Design Step P.16

    Commentary for 18: Check in upper portion of pile.

  19. Check Structural Shear Capacity Design Step P.17

    Commentary for 19: Usually not critical for restrained groups.

  20. Check Maximum Horizontal and Vertical Deflection of Pile Group S10.5.2 & S10.7.2.2 Design Step P.18

    Commentary for 20: Check using service limit state.

  21. Additional Miscellaneous Design Issues Design Step P.19

  22. Does pile foundation meet all applicable design criteria?

  23. Is pile system optimized?

  24. Return to Abutment or Pier Flowchart

Flow:

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11 if yes go to 12
11 if no go to 5
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13 if yes go to 14
13 if no go to 5
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22 if yes go to 23
22 if no go to 12
23 if yes go to 24
23 if no go to 12
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Updated: 06/27/2017
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000