On the role of spiral reinforcement and auxiliary stiffeners during the handling of RC pile cages

Reinforced concrete (RC) piles are among the most widely used structural elements in civil engineering. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the mechanical behavior of reinforcement cages in RC piles fabricated with spiral transverse reinforcement tack welded to longitudinal bars. It places particular emphasis on the role of internal rings as stiffening members. Both the primary reinforcement (longitudinal and transverse) and the auxiliary stiffeners provide sufficient stiffness to ensure the integrity of a cage during lifting, handling, and transportation. Although these stiffeners are not intended to contribute to the structural capacity of an RC pile, they play a crucial role in maintaining cage stability prior to concreting, and in ensuring safe construction practices. Finally, recommendations and contour plots are presented as practical design tools to assist in the dimensioning of transverse ring stiffeners for this type of reinforcement cage.