INSTALLATION MANUAL Pin Foundations, Inc. Gig Harbor, Washington Phone (866) 255-9478/ Fax (253) 858-8607 www.pinfoundations.com or www.diamondpier.
© 2015 by Pin Foundations, Inc. All rights reserved. Form # INST1211, Rev. Jan 2015. 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 866 255 9478 or 253 858-8809.
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Soils .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Pin Pile Technology .................................................................................................................................. 4 Diamond Pier Foundation System ..
INTRODUCTION Soils Pin Foundations, Inc. (PFI) has been designing and manufacturing foundations for over 25 years. One thing has always driven our thinking—the Earth is the actual foundation, and soils, in their natural undisturbed state, have the strength and structure to do the job. Man-made foundations have two basic functions: to transfer loads properly into the Earth’s soil structure and to provide a connection to the built structure above.
CONDITIONS AND USES Normal Soil Conditions Diamond Pier foundations sold through retail outlets are designed for projects that are founded in normal sound soils. Normal soils are typical in most residential neighborhoods throughout the United States and are defined in the International Residential Code (IRC) Table R401.4.1. Presumptive Load-Bearing Values of Foundation Materials.
Residential Diamond Pier Load Chart Table 1. Residential Diamond Pier Load Chart Equivalency to a traditional concrete pier is indicated by Base Area Comparison and Frost Zone Rating. DP-50 ESR-1895 Code Compliant Model & Pin Length > DP-50 36” DP-50 42” DP-50 50” DP-75 50” DP-75 63” 3600# 3600# 3600# 5150# 5850# 2700# 2700# 2700# 3870# 4400# Equivalent Bearing Area 1.8 sf 1.8 sf 1.8 sf 2.58 sf 2.
Diamond Pier foundations provide equal or better performance to traditional concrete foundations claimed as equivalent. In the "Residential Diamond Pier Load Chart" (Table 1), a “base area comparison” and “frost zone rating” are defined. 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.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS These instructions only cover the installation of Diamond Pier foundations in residential applications at sites where normal soil conditions exist (see discussion of "Normal Soil Conditions" on page 5). Please also view the Installation Video provided on our website, www.diamondpier.com. Preinstallation Product Warranty Register your product warranty. Go to www.diamondpier.
DP Safety Zone Limit Plane Utility Safety Zone Horizontal Pin Distance Buried Utilities 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 a structural crack with a fissure running internally into the pier (see "Pier Integrity" on page 15). 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 8). 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 10 to 20 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 15). 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" diameter 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 during or 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.
Allowable Capacity The piers should not be overloaded. The total load on any specific pier is based on the individual tributary loads of the structure, supported by the corresponding post or beam connected to the pier. This weight is a combination of the live load (snow, people, furnishings) and the dead load (weight of structure itself). Therefore the total tributary load can be expressed in pounds per square foot (psf) as the area X total load (live load plus dead load).
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 structural 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.