Post Foundation Sizing Calculator

Size driven post or pier foundations for ground-mount PV based on frost depth and above-grade height.

Input Parameters

Results

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Embedment Depth
ft
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Total Post Length
ft
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Lateral Capacity
lbs
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Min Pier Diameter
in
Note: Frost depth varies from 0 (southern US) to 6+ ft (northern). Driven W-beams are common for utility-scale; drilled piers for smaller systems.

Reference

Embedment = Frost Depth + Above Grade/3 Min Embedment = Frost + 1 ft Total Length = Embedment + Above Grade Lateral Capacity = Kp × γ × d × D²/2 Pier Dia ≥ Post + 6 in (concrete pier)