WisDOT Bridge Manual Chapter 13 – Piers

Table of Contents

13.1 General ............................................................................................................................ 3

13.1.1 Pier Type and Configuration ..................................................................................... 3
13.1.2 Bottom of Footing Elevation...................................................................................... 3
13.1.3 Pier Construction ...................................................................................................... 4
13.2 Pier Types........................................................................................................................ 5
13.2.1 Multi-Column Piers ................................................................................................... 5
13.2.2 Pile Bents ................................................................................................................. 6
13.2.3 Pile Encased Piers ................................................................................................... 7
13.2.4 Solid Single Shaft / Hammerheads ........................................................................... 8
13.2.5 Aesthetics................................................................................................................. 8
13.3 Location ........................................................................................................................... 9
13.4 Loads on Piers ............................................................................................................... 10
13.4.1 Dead Loads ............................................................................................................ 10
13.4.2 Live Loads .............................................................................................................. 10
13.4.3 Vehicular Braking Force ......................................................................................... 11
13.4.4 Wind Loads ............................................................................................................ 11
13.4.4.1 Wind Load from the Superstructure................................................................. 13
13.4.4.2 Wind Load Applied Directly to Substructure .................................................... 14
13.4.4.3 Wind Load on Vehicles ................................................................................... 15
13.4.4.4 Vertical Wind Load .......................................................................................... 16
13.4.5 Uniform Temperature Forces.................................................................................. 16
13.4.6 Force of Stream Current ......................................................................................... 19
13.4.6.1 Longitudinal Force .......................................................................................... 19
13.4.6.2 Lateral Force................................................................................................... 19
13.4.7 Buoyancy................................................................................................................ 20
13.4.8 Ice .......................................................................................................................... 21
13.4.8.1 Force of Floating Ice and Drift ......................................................................... 21
13.4.8.2 Force Exerted by Expanding Ice Sheet ........................................................... 22
13.4.9 Centrifugal Force .................................................................................................... 23
13.4.10 Extreme Event Collision Loads ............................................................................. 23
13.5 Load Application............................................................................................................. 25

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 WisDOT Bridge Manual Chapter 13 – Piers

13.5.1 Loading Combinations ............................................................................................ 25

13.5.2 Expansion Piers...................................................................................................... 25
13.5.3 Fixed Piers ............................................................................................................. 26
13.6 Multi-Column Pier and Cap Design ................................................................................ 27
13.7 Hammerhead Pier Cap Design....................................................................................... 29
13.7.1 Draw the Idealized Truss Model ............................................................................. 30
13.7.2 Solve for the Member Forces.................................................................................. 32
13.7.3 Check the Size of the Bearings............................................................................... 32
13.7.4 Design Tension Tie Reinforcement......................................................................... 33
13.7.5 Check the Compression Strut Capacity .................................................................. 34
13.7.6 Check the Tension Tie Anchorage.......................................................................... 37
13.7.7 Provide Crack Control Reinforcement..................................................................... 37
13.8 General Pier Cap Information......................................................................................... 39
13.9 Column / Shaft Design ................................................................................................... 41
13.10 Pile Bent and Pile Encased Pier Analysis..................................................................... 43
13.11 Footing Design ............................................................................................................. 44
13.11.1 General Footing Considerations ........................................................................... 44
13.11.2 Isolated Spread Footings...................................................................................... 45
13.11.3 Isolated Pile Footings ........................................................................................... 47
13.11.4 Continuous Footings............................................................................................. 49
13.11.5 Cofferdams and Seals .......................................................................................... 50
13.12 Quantities..................................................................................................................... 53
13.13 Design Examples ......................................................................................................... 54

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