openings and embedments in precast sheet piles
 

openings and embedments in precast sheet piles
what's the/a standard for providing reinforcing around/near/for/etc. an opening in a precast, prestressed concrete sheet pile?
here's what i've got: bulkhead made from precast, prestressed interlocking concrete sheet piles (i'll call them "piles" from here). they're anchored to an existing bulkhead (steel sheet piles) by means of anchorage hardware embedded at the appropriate location in a particular pile. this anchorage hardware comprises two steel angles, l2.5x2.5 with 2.5 inch studs @ 3 inches welded to the angles. the tie-back's nut/plate/etc. assembly bears directly on these angles. thus, there is a "hole" in the pile that's 1 ft x 4 in.
question: should there be any additional reinforcing about this hole? we've got the steel angles, but there's no cross-reinforcing at the corners. i don't necessarily think it's needed.
daveviking,
usually it is a good idea to provide #4's rebars at 45 degree angle at the four corners of the opening to arrest any possible crack originating from the corners.
at each hole, there will be the concentrated reaction of the anchor. that reaction should be distributed to the
"continuous" strips of the sheetpile by the angles or by added horizontal rebars.
aef
i actually figured as much. the designer in-question has responded to my company's question with "...the hole is small and therefore..." i came back with "what about stress cracking during the curing process in the precast yard?"