Pier Diameter Calculator
Ideal circular pier diameter from uniformaxialstresssqrt(4N/(πσ)), not ground bearing/capacity or reinforcement. Actual independently established design/material/calibration and matched units; not a safe work instruction, code compliance or engineering approval.
Description
A circular pier distributes axial force across its cross-sectional area.
A circular pier distributes axial force across its cross-sectional area.1
This tool calculates the diameter associated with a supplied axial force and allowable stress under a uniform stress assumption.
When to use Pier Diameter Calculator
Use this tool to calculate the diameter associated with a supplied axial force and allowable stress under a uniform stress assumption.
How to use Pier Diameter Calculator and how it works
- Prepare actualTotalPierVerticalForce, callerIndependentlyApplicablePierCompressionStress, with the units, conventions and assumptions below.
- Enter the required fields and run Pier Diameter Calculator.
- Read result.value using the output definitions below.
- Correct any rejected inputs and rerun; interpret the result within the stated model and its assumptions.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| actualTotalPierVerticalForce | Actual Total Pier Vertical Force. Use the units and matching context stated in the calculation below. | number | Required; nonnegative; finite; other constraints below |
| callerIndependentlyApplicablePierCompressionStress | Caller Independently Applicable Pier Compression Stress. Use the units and matching context stated in the calculation below. | number | Required; strictly positive; finite; other constraints below |
Supply nonnegative axial force and positive independently applicable stress in compatible units. Return sqrt(4*force/(pi*stress)) as a circular diameter. Units are meters for newtons and pascals; zero force gives zero diameter as an arithmetic result, not a buildable design.
diameter=sqrt(4*axialForce/(pi*allowableStress)) Apply the input ordering, units and branch conditions stated above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| result | Object containing the calculated or selected fields below. | object |
| result.value | Conditional geometric length in the input's compatible length unit. | number |
{
"input": {
"actualTotalPierVerticalForce": 15.707963267948966,
"callerIndependentlyApplicablePierCompressionStress": 5
},
"output": {
"result": {
"value": 2
}
}
}Limitations and assumptions
The calculation uses the supplied observations and model inputs. It does not collect measurements, select a reference population or coefficient, or establish that the model applies to the actual case. The stated branch conditions and output units remain part of the result.
All fields require explicit values. Unexpected fields, wrong types, nonfinite numbers and sparse arrays are rejected. Alignment, bounds and supported-token rules are explained above; extremely large inputs or nonfinite results can also fail. Input errors differ from successful false comparisons, unavailable-domain flags and empty match lists.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use Mat Foundation Pressure Calculator for a complementary operation: A uniform mat-pressure estimate divides vertical force by contact area.
Use Caisson Bearing Calculator for a complementary operation: Caisson bearing depends on soil, embedment, water and loading under an independently validated method.
References
-
Pier Diameter Calculator — tool.io
Similar or alternative tools
- Mat Foundation Pressure Calculator
A uniform mat-pressure estimate divides vertical force by contact area.
- Caisson Bearing Calculator
Caisson bearing depends on soil, embedment, water and loading under an independently validated method.