ANSI ASAE EP486.2-2012 PDF

Full title and description

ANSI/ASAE EP486.2-2012 — Shallow Post and Pier Foundation Design. This engineering practice provides procedures and design methods for determining the adequacy of shallow, isolated post and pier foundations used to support agricultural and similar low-rise structures, including requirements for bearing, uplift and lateral capacity, soil-property characterization, and provisions for both Allowable Stress Design (ASD) and Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD).

Abstract

EP486.2-2012 sets out calculation methods, definitions, safety/resistance factors, and soil-modeling procedures to evaluate shallow post and pier foundations subjected to vertical, uplift and lateral loads. The document provides design equations and guidance for using in-situ or laboratory soil test results (where available) and includes commentary and explanatory material to assist practitioners in applying the methods.

General information

• Status: Historical / ANSI-approved engineering practice (2012 edition); later revised by ASABE as EP486.3 (2017).
• Publication date: October 2012 (officially published/approved in October 2012).
• Publisher: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE; formerly ASAE).
• ICS / categories: Civil engineering / foundations and building structures — typical ICS classifications for this subject include 93.020 (earthworks, foundation construction) and 91.080 (structures of buildings).
• Edition / version: EP486.2 — 2012 edition (document later carried as EP486.2 (R2016) in vendor catalogs and subsequently revised by EP486.3 in 2017).
• Number of pages: Approximately 53 pages (2012 edition as distributed by standards vendors).

Scope

The practice applies to shallow, isolated post and pier foundations that are vertically installed in relatively level terrain and that support concentrically loaded footings or collars. It is intended to help designers ensure soil and backfill are not overloaded, to reduce frost heave risks, and to limit excessive lateral movement. The EP covers both ASD (working stress) and LRFD (strength) approaches, provides methods for obtaining and using soil properties from tests, and includes guidance on modeling soil deformation for structural frame analyses. Applications are primarily for agricultural and light industrial/post-frame buildings.

Key topics and requirements

• Design procedures for ultimate and allowable bearing capacity of shallow footings and collars.
• Uplift resistance methods for embedded posts and uplift anchors (rectangular and circular anchor options depending on soil type).
• Lateral strength and stiffness calculations accounting for soil–structure interaction and subgrade reaction behavior.
• Provisions for both Allowable Stress Design (ASD) and Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) with specified safety/resistance factors.
• Extensive nomenclature, definitions and variable lists to standardize design inputs.
• Guidance on use of laboratory and in-situ soil testing to reduce uncertainty and permit lower design factors where appropriate.
• Modeling recommendations for soil deformation to be used in structural frame analyses of post-frame buildings.

Typical use and users

Primary users are structural and geotechnical engineers, post-frame / pole-building designers, builders and manufacturers of agricultural and light commercial buildings, building officials, and researchers studying foundation performance. The EP is used to size posts, piers, footings and uplift anchors, to determine required soil testing, and to provide consistent inputs for structural frame analyses of buildings supported on shallow posts or piers.

Related standards

Related or referenced documents typically include the earlier ASAE EP486.1 (1999, reaffirmed 2005), subsequent ASABE/ASAE revisions EP486.3 (published 2017, R2021), relevant AWPA preservative-treatment standards for treated wood, and common geotechnical test standards (ASTM in-situ and laboratory soil tests). National Frame Building Association (NFBA) guidance and ASABE nomenclature standards are often used alongside EP486.2.

Keywords

shallow foundations; post foundation; pier foundation; post-frame; pole building; bearing capacity; uplift resistance; lateral capacity; soil–structure interaction; ASD; LRFD; soil testing; foundation design.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ANSI/ASAE EP486.2-2012 is an ASAE/ASABE Engineering Practice titled "Shallow Post and Pier Foundation Design" that specifies methods and requirements for designing and evaluating shallow post and pier foundations for agricultural and similar structures.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers procedures for bearing, uplift and lateral strength evaluation, required safety/resistance factors for ASD and LRFD, definitions and nomenclature, use of laboratory and in-situ soil data, and modeling approaches for soil deformation used in structural analyses.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Structural and geotechnical engineers, post-frame building designers and manufacturers, contractors, building officials and researchers concerned with pole/post/pier foundations for low-rise agricultural and light commercial buildings.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2012 EP486.2 edition is a valid historical/ANSI-approved document, but the EP486 series was later revised — ASABE published EP486.3 in 2017 (with subsequent reaffirmations/updates), so users seeking the most current requirements should consult EP486.3 (2017 / R2021) or the ASABE technical library for the active edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — EP486 is a series addressing shallow post and pier foundation design. The evolution includes EP486.1 (earlier version), EP486.2 (2012) and later EP486.3 (2017), with editorial and technical updates across editions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Post foundation, pier foundation, shallow foundations, bearing capacity, uplift, lateral resistance, soil testing, ASD, LRFD, soil–structure interaction.