Analysis of the nodal stresses in pile caps

Pile caps can be dimensioned using, preferably, plastic models (strut-and-tie) and models based on the flexion theory. In order to analyze the behavior of the stresses in the lower and upper nodal regions of the cap, a theoretical analysis of the experimental results found by several researchers was made. There was a discrepancy in the results obtained and, as a result, a critical analysis carried out and a new methodology for the verification of the nodal stress near the upper zone, based on the multiaxial behavior of the concrete, is suggested.