ER.ATUL V.JOSHI.

‘SINDAGI COMPLEX’, B.E.(CIVIL)MIE.CAT.CE

FLAT NO.B-9,THIRD FLOOR,
OLD EMPLOYMENT CHOWK,
SOLAPUR-413001.
(MAHARASHTRA)
CONTACT:0217-2310508,9823110936
PILE FOUNDATION
(THUMB RULES)
Friction Piles:
*Pile Diameter=Circular Column Diameter(acting as a column)

*Under Reamed or Bulb Diameter= 2.5 x Pile Diameter.

*Depth of Pile below G.L.= (1.25x100xPile Dia.in inch)/( S.B.C.of Soil in KN/sq.m)=……….in ft.

Eg.Depth of 18”dia.pile below G.L.=(1.25x100x18inch pile dia.)/150 =15 ft.

(Here S.B.C.of Soil in KN/sq.m=100 kn/sq.m)

*Min.Vertical/Longitudinal Steel Diameter=(10 xPile Diam.in inch xPile Depth in feet)

( S.B.C.of Soil in KN/sq.m)

=------------------ in mm.

Eg.Diam.of ver.steel=(10x 18 inchx14 ft)/(100)=25.2 mm

*Min.No.of Vertical /Longitudinal steel bars=Diam.of Piles in inch/1.5 =…………. Nos.

Eg. No.of ver.steel bars required= 18inch/1.5= 12 nos.

OR Min.No.of Vertical /Longitudinal steel bars=(Diam.of Piles in inch x 8)/(Diam.of Ver.Steel)

=…………….nos.

Eg. No.of ver.steel bars required= (18 inch x 8(constant))/(12 mm dia.)=12 nos.

*No.of Bulbs required=Pile Depth in ft./8=……………..Nos.

Eg .No.of Bulbs =14ft./8=1.75 nos. say 2nos.

(Note:Min.Depth of Pile should be 10 ft. & Min.steel percentage in piles should be 1%)

*Stirrups: Diam.of stirrups=Ver.steel dia./3=…………..in mm.(Min.Diam.≥6mm)

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 ER.ATUL V.JOSHI.
‘SINDAGI COMPLEX’, B.E.(CIVIL)MIE.CAT.CE
FLAT NO.B-9,THIRD FLOOR,
OLD EMPLOYMENT CHOWK,
SOLAPUR-413001.
(MAHARASHTRA)
CONTACT:0217-2310508,9823110936
*Spacing of Stirrups: Stirrups spacing=(Vertical steel Dia.in mm -4)/2=…………….inch c/c

(Note:Max.spacing of stirrups/rings/links should not be more than 9 inch or 225mm)

PILE CAP:

*Pile Cap Width=1.5 x Pile Diameter or 1.5 x Column Width ,which is max.

*Pile Cap Length=2 x Pile Diameter or 2 x Column Depth ,which is max.

*Pile Cap Depth/Thk.= Pile Diameter in inch +3 inch =……………..inch.

*Min.Dowel Bars to each side for Column= Total no.of Bars from piles/2=………….nos.

*Pile Cap Reinforcement: Cap Rein.Diam.=0.66 xDiam.of vertical steel of pile in mm=………mm

Spacing of Cap Reinforcement= Cap Rein.Dia.in mm-3=…………….in inch

OR Spacing of Cap Reinforce.=( Cap Depth in inch+ Cap Width in inch +Cap Length in inch)/10

=………………….in inch

(Note: Generally same diameter & spacing is provided for top & bottom mesh reinforcement of
pile cap)

Note: Diameter & Spacing for M20 grade Concrete. It may vary with the grade of concrete &
steel also.

Notes:

*All Thumb Rules are created on the basis of Experience ,Calculations ,Data available from
various books and guidance given by Senior Engineers/Technocrats.

*Thumb Rules are practicable and easy to work out basic/ initial sizes of structural members for
Quantity calibration, estimation and to cross check the safety of structural designs.

*For Big & Complicated structures, actual calculations should be done along with use of these
Thumb Rules.

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 ER.ATUL V.JOSHI.
‘SINDAGI COMPLEX’, B.E.(CIVIL)MIE.CAT.CE
FLAT NO.B-9,THIRD FLOOR,
OLD EMPLOYMENT CHOWK,
SOLAPUR-413001.
(MAHARASHTRA)
CONTACT:0217-2310508,9823110936
*Thumb Rules are invented by considering Factored Load,Wind Pressure,Seismic Forces,
Corrosion of material, Worksmanship &Practical Convenience.

*More suggestions and invention on these Thumb Rules are always welcome.

*Thumb Rules are created by help of SI,MKS,FPS,CGS unit systems therefore sufficient
knowledge of all unit systems are must.

*Adopt sizes & steel for the higher/safer side with thoroughly judgment.