Block 12 – Perform Final Structural Design of Foundation Elements and Connections to Caps The structural design is finalized once the lateral and axial geotechnical designs have been fully developed. The final structural design is addressed in Chapter 11 and includes Determination of the force effects on the foundations using the appropriate foundation model, structural model, load combinations, and load and resistance factors. Determination of dimensions of the foundation elements to resist the force effects and resulting behaviors (such as deflections. The dimensions determined from the Geotechnical Limit State analyses can be used as a starting point and increased if needed. Check of the structural design for axial loading, shear, and moment resistance, including evaluation of the material strengths (steel, concrete, grout, etc, structural section capacity, amount of reinforcement, etc. For concrete foundation elements, performance of design and distribution of reinforcing as applicable, including both longitudinal and transverse reinforcing. This should include a check on spacing of reinforcement for constructability considerations such as flow of concrete through openings in the reinforcing cage. Design of connections to caps or structures, as applicable. This will include design of the embedment and/or connections, and will include evaluation of the performance of the overall foundation system to ensure that the connections are adequate and consistent with head fixity used in design analyses. Addition of iterations, as needed, among the steps above (and other steps such as geotechnical analyses or constructability review) to finalize the structural design of the individual element. Block 13 – Perform Constructability Review The proposed design should be reviewed with considerations for possible means and methods of construction to verify that the design is constructible. Elements of construction that may pose risks should be identified and mitigated if possible. Example mitigation measures may include a required or anticipated sequence of construction, precluding particular means and methods of construction, requiring minimum qualifications or pre-qualifying contractors (if allowed by procurement procedures, providing minimum opening between drilled shaft reinforcement for concrete flow, or requiring certain inspection and testing procedures. Chapter 13 further discusses construction considerations.
