Embedment Depth Soil Conditions
For Steel & Aluminum
Most pole manufacturers use a general rule of embedding the pole 10% of mounting height + 2’-0” for total embedment: Example a 30’ MH pole would = 3’ + 2’ = 5’ of embedment.
This is just a general rule and it assumes 2,000 PSI soil bearing pressure.
If there is any question please e-mail us at PolesCentral@AcuityBrands.com to confirm the embedment depth.
| Soils & Foundations |
| Allowable Foundation and Lateral Pressure* |
| Class of Material | Allowble Foundation Pressure (psf) | Lateral Bearing (psf/f below natural grade) | Lateral Sliding |
| Coefficient of Friction | Resistance (psf) |
| Crystalline bedrock | 12,000 | 1,200 | 0.70 | --- |
| Sedimentary and foliated rock | 4,000 | 400 | 0.35 | --- |
| Sandy Gravel and/or gravel (GW and GP) | 3,000 | 200 | 0.35 | --- |
| Sandy, silty sand, clayed sand, silty gravel and clayed gravel (SW, SP, SM, SC, GM and GC) | 2,000 | 150 | 0.25 | --- |
| Clay, sandy clay, silty clay, clayey silt, silt and sandy silt (CL, ML, MH anc CH) | 1,500 | 100 | --- | 130 |
*According to 2006 International Building Code, Table 1804.2