Print this page Design of Pile Foundations
Course Outline
This course provides engineers and contractors with design guidances and citeria for design of pile foundations based on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Engineer Manual on Design of Pile Foundations. This manual provides information, foundation exploration and testing procedures, load test methods, analysis techniques, allowable criteria, design procedures, and construction consideration for the selection, design, and installation of pile foundations. The guidance is based on the present state of the technology for pile-soil-structure-foundation interaction behavior. This manual provides design guidance intended specifically for the geotechnical and structural engineer but also provides essential information for others interested in pile foundations such as the construction engineer in understanding construction techniques related to pile behavior during installation. Since the understanding of the physical causes of pile foundation behavior is actively expanding by better definition through ongoing research, prototype, model pile, and pile group testing and development of more refined analytical models, this manual is intended to provide examples and procedures of what has been proven successful. This is not the last nor final word on the state of the art for this technology. We expect, as further practical design and installation procedures are developed from the expansion of this technology, that these updates will be issued as changes to this manual.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.
Learning Objectives
At
the conclusion of this course, the student will:
-
Have a better understanding of the guidelines and criteria for selection,
design and installation of pile foundations;
- Have a better understanding of pile-soil-structure-foundation interaction behavior;
- Be familiar with testing procedures and load test methods;
- Be familiar with both geotechnical and structural analysis and design of pile foundations; and
- Be familiar with both design and installation aspects of pile foundations.
Course Content
The purpose of this course is to provide design guidelines and criteria for selection, design and installation of pile foundations. You will be directed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' website to study Engineering and Design - Design of Pile Foundations (Engineer Manual EM 1110-2-2906, 1991 edition, 186 pages, PDF file format), which discusses geotechnical, structural, installation and testing aspects of pile foundations.
The following contains the outline of the Engineer Manual EM 1110-2-2906:
Design of Pile Foundations
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
Purpose
Applicability
References, Bibliographical and Related Material
Definitions
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL
CONSIDERATIONS
General
Structural and Geotechnical Coordination
Design Considerations
Nature of Loadings
Foundation Material
Identification and Evaluation of Pile Alternatives
Field Responsibilities for the Design Engineer
Subsurface Conditions
Pile Instrumentation
CHAPTER 3. GEOTECHNICAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Subsurface Investigations and Geology
Laboratory and Field Testing
Foundation Modification
Ground-Water Studies
Dynamic Considerations
Pile Load Test
Selection of Shear Strength Parameters
CHAPTER 4. ANALYSIS
AND DESIGN
General
Design Criteria
Pile Capacity
Settlement
Pile Group Analysis
Design Procedure
Special Considerations
CHAPTER 5. ENGINEERING
CONSIDERATIONS PERTAINING TO CONSTRUCTION
General
Construction Practices and Equipment
Pile Driving Studies
Control of Pile Driving Operations
Results of Corps Experiences
As-Built Analysis
Field Evaluation
CHAPTER 6. FIELD
PILE TESTS
General
Decision Process
Axial Load Test
Monotonic Lateral Load Test
APPENDIX A. REFERENCES
A-1
APPENDIX B. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL AND RELATED MATERIAL B-1
APPENDIX C. CASE HISTORY - PILE DRIVING AT LOCK AND DAM C-1 NO. 1 RED RIVER
WATERWAY
APPENDIX D. PILE CAPACITY COMPUTATIONS D-1
Once you finish studying the above course content you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDHonline.org or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered professional engineer. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
