Wood-Pile-to-Beam 
Connections 
HOME BUILDER’S GUIDE TO COASTAL CONSTRUCTION FEMA 499/August 2005 Technical Fact Sheet No. 13 
Purpose: To illustrate typical wood-pile-to-beam connections, provide basic construction guidelines on various 
connection methods, and show pile bracing connection techniques. 
NOTE: The pile-to-beam connection is one of the most critical links in the structure. This connection must 
be designed by an engineer. See Fact Sheet No. 10 for “load path” information. The number of bolts and 
typical bolt placement dimensions shown are for illustrative purposes only. Connection designs are not 
limited to those shown here, and not all of the information to be considered in the designs is included in 
these illustrations. Final designs are the responsibility of the engineer. 
Key Issues 
• Verify pile alignment and correct, if 
Pile-to-beam connections must: 
bearinguplift 
upright positionlateraldurableNote: 
necessary, before making connections.
• Carefully cut piles to ensure required 
scarf depths.
• Limit cuts to no more than 50 percent 
of pile cross-section.
• Use corrosion-resistant hardware, such 
as hot-dipped galvanized or stainless 
steel (see Fact Sheet No. 8).
• Accurately locate and drill bolt holes.
• Field-treat all 
cuts and holes to 
prevent decay.
• Use sufficient pile 
and beam sizes to 
allow proper bolt 
edge distances.
1. provide required area for beam to rest on pile2. provide required (tension) resistance3. maintain beam in an 
4. be capable of resisting loads (wind and seismic)
5. be constructed with connectors and fastenersPile-to-beam 
connections must be 
designed by an engineer.
FS No. 13 – Wood-Pile-to-Beam Connections Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction 08/05 Page 1 of 5 

Option 1 (see page 3) – beam cannot be shifted 
Option 2 (see page 3) – beam can be shifted laterally and remains square to building 
Option 3 (see page 3) –
Option 4 (not shown) – 
made; install and connect sister piles; 
Option 5 (not shown) –
Note: Pile-to-beam 
connections must 
Problem: Misaligned piles – some piles are shifted in or out from their intended (design) locations. 
Possible Solutions (see drawings on page 3 and details on page 4): 
beam can be shifted laterally, but does not remain square to building 
beam cannot be shifted, and connections shown in this fact sheet cannot be 
an engineer must be consulted for this option 
beam cannot be shifted, and connections shown in this fact sheet cannot be 
made; remove and reinstall piles, as necessary 
be designed by an 
engineer. 
FS No. 13 – Wood-Pile-to-Beam Connections Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction 08/05 Page 2 of 5 

FS No. 13 – Wood-Pile-to-Beam Connections Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction 08/05Page 3 of 5Note: Pile-to-beam connections must be designed by an engineer.

Page 4 of 5FS No. 13 – Wood-Pile-to-Beam Connections Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction 08/05Connections to misaligned piles (see drawings on page 3 and details below)
1. The ability to construct the pile-to-beam connections designed by the engineer is directly dependent 
on the accuracy of pile installation and alignment.
2. Misaligned piles will require the contractor to modify pile-to-beam connections in the field.
3. Badly misaligned piles will require removal and reinstallation, sister piles, or special connections, all 
to be determined by the engineer.
Note: Pile-to-beam 
connections must 
be designed by an 
engineer.

FS No. 13 – Wood-Pile-to-Beam Connections Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction 08/05Page 5 of 5Note: Pile-to-beam 
connections must be 
designed by an engineer.