INSTALLATION MANUAL Pin Foundations, Inc. Gig Harbor, Washington Phone (866) 255-9478 / Fax (253) 858-8607 www.pinfoundations.com or www.diamondpier.
© 2014 by Pin Foundations, Inc. All rights reserved. Form # INST1211, Rev. February 2014. Diamond Pier® Foundation Systems are covered by U.S. Patents 5,039,256; 6,910,832; 7,326,003; and patents pending. Diamond Pier® is a U.S. registered trademark of Pin Foundations, Inc. The latest version of this Installation Manual is available on our website, www.diamondpier.com, or by calling us at (866) 832-7835. Other documents and publications referenced in this manual are listed below and available at www.
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Pin Foundations, Inc. (PFI) ....................................................................................................................... 4 Pin Pile Technology .................................................................................................................................. 4 Diamond Pier Foundation System ...............
INTRODUCTION Pin Foundations, Inc. (PFI) Pin Foundations, Inc. (PFI) has been designing and manufacturing foundations for over 25 years. One thing has always driven our thinking—the soil is the true support and, in its natural state, it has plenty of strength and structure to do the job. Pin Pile Technology Foundations have two basic functions: to transfer loads properly into the soil structure and to provide support to the man-made structure above.
CONDITIONS AND USES Normal Construction Conditions Diamond Pier foundations sold through retail outlets can only be used for projects that have normal construction conditions. Normal construction conditions require sound soils, simple structures and safe sites, as defined in this section. If normal construction conditions do not exist, contact PFI for special construction conditions review (see “Special Construction Conditions” on page 7).
Safe Sites Sites that have extreme conditions often require special foundation design, even if the project is a simple structure as defined above.
Special Construction Conditions Special construction conditions exist when the requirements for sound soils, simple structures, or safe sites, as defined above under “Normal Construction Conditions,” are not met. The Diamond Pier foundation system has been installed over the last 20 years throughout the U.S. and abroad supporting public and commercial structures, such as boardwalks, bridges, homes, and other complex structures. These applications have typically involved special construction conditions.
Diamond Pier foundations provide equal or better performance to traditional concrete foundations claimed as equivalent. In the capacity load chart (Table 1), PFI defines a “base area comparison” and “frost zone rating.” These two ratings define the size of the traditional concrete pier foundation that a given Diamond Pier foundation is equivalent to in bearing capacity and frost heave resistance. For example, a DP-50 shows a base area comparison of 18” and a frost zone rating of 48”.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS These instructions cover the installation of Diamond Pier foundations in residential retail applications at sites where normal construction conditions exist. All other installations must be preapproved and may require a registered design professional to be involved. Please also view the Installation Video provided on our website, www.diamondpier.com. Preinstallation Inspect Site for Normal Construction Conditions Check your site to make sure normal construction conditions exist.
DP Safety Zone Limit Plane Utility Safety Zone Horizontal Pin Distance Figure 2. Horizontal Pin Distance After installation, horizontal distance of all pins must be well outside all safety zones. Table 2. Horizontal Pin Distance for All Diamond Pier Models Measured from center of pier anchor bolt horizontally to vertical limit of pin end.
Assemble Tools and Supplies Inspect your Diamond Pier assemblies to ensure that no parts are flawed or have been damaged in shipping. Do not install a concrete pier if it is cracked with a fissure running internally into the pier. Slight flaking or chipping is acceptable; a pier with surface flaking or chipping may be installed.
Drive in the Pins WARNING: Verify locations of any buried utilities before driving pins (see “Locate Buried Utilities,” page 9). 1. Remove any dirt and debris from the pins and check that they will fit easily into the driving holes in the concrete heads. (If a cut or burr is restricting the fit, try the other end of the pin.) 2. Install the inspection plugs in the ends of the pins that will go into the pier first. 3.
Encountering Obstructions If a pin stops moving when being driven in, STOP driving the pin. Be sure the other pins are at least half way in to stabilize the pier and ensure that the pier will remain in place before trying to drive the obstructed pin in any further. Attempt to drive the obstructed pin with the automatic hammer for approximately 20 to 30 seconds, or give it one or two firm square hits with the sledgehammer, which may drive it past the obstruction.
Place Inspection Caps on Pins 1. Set the inspection caps loosely on the ends of the pins so they can be removed for pin length inspection (see “Field Inspection,” page 16). 2. Set brackets and posts or beams, and frame and complete the supported structure. 3. Once these framing material loads have been applied, pull the caps off and reverify the extent of the protruding pins, adjusting as necessary by tapping with the small sledgehammer. 4.
AUXILIARY PARTS AND EQUIPMENT Post/Beam Brackets The bracket needed to make the connection from the Diamond Pier foundation to the superstructure can be purchased separately from a local lumberyard. The DP-50 pier typically has a 1/2" galvanized bolt embedded in the top of the pier* (nut provided), and this bolt will connect to a Simpson Strong-Tie® bracket (Model ABW) or a similar approved post base.
FIELD INSPECTION A Diamond Pier foundation code inspection may take place at any time after installation and may be combined with the structural framing inspection as each jurisdiction warrants. The top ends of all pins should be accessible for measuring pin lengths. Pin Length Diamond pier foundations are designed to be inspected from above grade after they have been installed.
Inspection Plugs Hard plastic plugs are inserted in the bottom of each bearing pin prior to installation to keep soil from moving up inside the pins as they are driven into the ground. This allows inspectors to slide a tape measure down a pin from above to verify its length. Align the slot in the plug with the interior weld bead and insert (see Figure 8).
SPECIFICATIONS The information given in this section is provided for use in document/permit submittal, where applicable. References/Standards ASTM A 53 - Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot dipped, Zinc-coated ASTM A153 - Zinc coating (hot-dip) on Steel Hardware ASTM, ACI and CRSI standards for precast concrete products Delivery/Storage and Handling Contractor shall protect the materials from damage. Pins Four pins per pier.
TROUBLESHOOTING Cracked Pier – Always inspect materials when received from supplier. Do not install a pier that has a crack or fissure running internally into the pier. Slight flaking or chipping does not constitute a crack. Concrete Flaking – During installation, pins rubbing against the pier may cause superficial flaking of concrete around the driving hole. This will not affect the structural strength.
