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In May 2001 the Safety Codes Council and Alberta Municipal
Affairs issued a Standata that permits the use of pre-engineered
designs for pile and grade beam foundations for attached garages
to detached single family dwellings. The Standata is:
97-DR-008 Grade Beam and Pile Foundations for Attached Garages
to Detached Single Family Dwellings
The Standata is based on and relies on designs prepared by
Beardon Engineering Consultants Ltd. The designs are documented
in a report prepared for the Alberta Housing Industry Technical
Committee (AHITC) entitled "Grade Beam and Pile Foundations
for Garages Attached to Detached Single Family Dwellings"
Dec. 1999.
There are two stages that require the involvement of Professional
Engineers.
1) The first stage is that a Professional Engineer must verify
that the pile design given in the report will be capable of
supporting a service load of 11 kips (49 kN). The pile design
in the report is a minimum or 12" (305 mm) diameter by
12 feet (3.66 m) long. The pile is to be reinforced with 2-#15M
verticals extending 22 inches into the grade beam. It is the
Professional Engineer's responsibility to consider:
· The nature of the soil
· Ground water conditions
· The possibility of fill
· The potential for frost heave
Should the Professional Engineer determine that the conditions
are such that the pile design is inappropriate, then he or
she should design a pile that is appropriate.
2) The second stage of Professional involvement is in the
site review of the pile. Single storey garages with or without
masonry veneers up to 3 m high can be inspected by an experienced
member of the builder's staff. All other piles require review
by a knowledgeable person (independent party). In the case
of a 2 storey, masonry clad superstructure the review must
be done by a Professional Engineer. The Professional Engineer
must review the holes prior to concreting and confirm the
diameter, length, reinforcing, ensure that the soil is consistent
with what was assumed and that the holes are clean with no
loose soil.
There have been some concerns raised that proper evaluation
of the pile capacities and proper inspection procedures are
not being followed. APEGGA's Practice Standards Committee
reminds Professional Engineers that the public is relying
on their expertise to ensure that the design and construction
of the piles is properly done.
For more information: http://www.ahba.ca
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