Helical Piles - A Cost-Effective Deep Foundation Solution

Helical Piles - A Cost-Effective Deep Foundation Solution

Helical piles are a cost-effective and highly versatile deep foundation solution. Helical piles They can be used to support new construction, replacement of existing concrete foundations, or to resist lateral and uplift loads. In contrast to friction piles, which rely on surface friction between the pile and soil to transfer load, helical piles use a combination of internal and external forces to achieve their capacity.

Because of the way they’re installed, helical piles are able to be installed in tight spaces where other foundation types cannot. Their reversible design also means that they can be driven in and removed as needed, which helps speed up project schedules and reduces costs related to mobilization and demobilization of equipment.

When selecting a helical pile supplier, look for a one-stop shop that offers a complete portfolio of products and services to handle all aspects of the project. Not only will this save you time and money, but it will also ensure that the work is completed to the highest standards and with the most effective outcome.

Ideally, a helical pile is within 2 degrees of plumb and installed in a manner that disturbs the surrounding soil to the minimum extent possible. Piles that are installed in a professional manner will perform much better in both tension and compression applications than piles that have been installed poorly. In fact, Hoyt and Clemence tested helical piles that were installed improperly using non-professional equipment in the same soil and at the same depth as a pile that was installed by proper equipment in a professional manner and found that the professionally installed piles performed 50% better in both tension and compression.

Helical piles are designed to restrain unfactored axial loads up to 300 kN, uplift loads up to 200 kN subject to the soil conditions, and lateral loads up to 25 kN. In most cases, higher lateral loads can be restrained with the addition of a reinforced concrete cap at the top of the pile head.

The capacity of a helical pile is based on a combination of factors, including the shaft diameter, the number and size of bearing plates, and the plate spacing. When the bearing plates are spaced 1.0 to 1.5 times the shaft diameter, uplift capacity is maximized. When the plate spacing is too close, uplift capacity decreases.

When designing a helical pile, engineers will usually take into account the plate spacing, soil conditions, and a geotechnical analysis. The geotechnical analysis will typically include a walk around the site, observations of existing surface conditions, and a variety of subsurface tests.

The price of a helical pile is dependent on several factors, such as shaft diameter, loading requirement, and the type and origin of the steel. High-yield domestic steel is generally more expensive than low-yield or imported options, but the superior quality of this steel results in a stronger and longer-lasting pile.

Tags: helical anchor | helical earth anchors