Pilings must be deep enough to resist wave and wind forces even when scour occurs (Figure 3). Open, deep foundations are appropriate in all SFHAs including Zones V and Coastal A. When discussing foundations with engineers, builders, code officials, and homeowners, it is important to understand whether the design being discussed is open and deep or open and shallow. While there are technical differences in the FEMA definitions of piers, piles, posts, and columns, the terms may be used inconsistently and interchangeably in the building trades. Localized scour occurred around this house during a flood, potentially undermining the foundation. Discrete footings are particularly vulnerable to flood forces.įigure 2. Shallow foundations should not be used in coastal or riverine areas where deep scour and erosion are expected (Figure 2). Shallow foundations include discrete concrete footings, strip footings, monolithic slabs, and mat foundations. These types of foundations are resistant to the effects of scour and erosion. Deep foundations include driven timber or steel piles. Deep foundations are supported by soil well below grade, while shallow foundations are supported by soil near grade level. Open foundations can be built as either deep foundations or as shallow foundations. See the Ensuring Success tab and the Climate tab in this guide for more information on risk assessment and flood mapping. The open column foundation of this house will allow floodwaters to flow through the foundation with little obstruction (Source: Lstiburek 2006).Ī flood hazard risk assessment should be done prior to design and construction. For these reasons, open foundations are the only foundation types allowed by the NFIP or the IRC 2021 (Section 322) in flood Zone V and Coastal A Zone.įigure 1. Debris is less likely to be trapped and scour is less likely to occur with open foundations as well ( FEMA P-55 Volume II 2011). These types of foundations are better able to withstand flood forces from water and debris than closed foundations due to the lack of obstruction to flow. Pier, pile, post, and column foundations are considered “open” foundations, meaning they freely allow floodwaters to flow through them with minimal resistance (Figure 1). Columns are sometimes known as posts, particularly if they are made of wood. They are usually made of concrete or masonry and often must be braced. Columns are set in holes and backfilled with compacted material. Posts are also known as columns, but columns are usually made of concrete or masonry.Ĭolumn Foundation: Foundation consisting of vertical support members with a height-to-least-lateral dimension ratio greater than three. Posts are usually made of wood and usually must be braced. Post Foundation: Foundation consisting of vertical support members set in holes and backfilled with compacted material. Piles derive their load-carrying capacity through skin friction, end bearing, or a combination of both. Piles are relatively slender in comparison to their length, which usually exceeds 12 times their horizontal dimension. Pile Foundation: Foundation consisting of concrete, wood, or steel structural elements driven or jetted into the ground or cast-in-place. Piers derive their load-carrying capacity through skin friction, end bearing, or a combination of both. Piers are relatively short in comparison to their width, which is usually greater than or equal to 12 times their vertical dimension. Pier Foundation: Foundation consisting of isolated masonry or cast-in-place concrete structural elements extending into firm materials. This guide also references topics covered in the flood Design Guide including wet floodproofing and scouring.įEMA P-55 defines piers, piles, posts, and columns as follows: See the flood Overview Guide for background information on types of floods, flood mapping, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and terms used throughout this guide such as Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), Zones V, A, and Coastal A, the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), Base Flood Elevation (BFE), and Design Flood Elevation (DFE). Special attention is given to the design of floor and wall assemblies to properly control infiltration, vapor and water transmission, and heating and cooling losses while minimizing the potential for flood damage. This guide provides key information on how to design a pier, pile, post, or column foundation to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.
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