Thursday, October 23, 2014

Why Use Helical Piles



Helical piles are used today in the construction of new homes and the stabilizing of existing homes in areas and regions with poor soil or flooding issues. It is a manufactured steel system that is a part of your home’s foundation consisting of a central shaft that has helix-shaped plates bored into the earth below the foundation; and, attached with brackets to the structure in order to stabilize the foundation of a structure. These piles are literally screwed into the earth using high applications of torque. This foundation pile will guarantee that any structure it supports has a solid anchored base. The methodology should not be unfamiliar with anyone considering that it has been used historically for clotheslines and above ground housing. Once the piles are inserted they can hold weights of 50,000 pounds each!

Helical piles are designed so that the axial capacity is generated and bore by the plates which have been advanced against the soil. These plates are spaced in such a way as to prevent the load from being born by a single plate. Each plate contributes to the overall stress thus creating a stable pile. This means that each helix plate is both independent and working in a conjunctive group to bear the weight of the structure against the pile shaft. The helix geometry discourages soil disturbance and creates a “clean” environment and surface area surrounding the installation.

The advantages to this type of system are numerous. It is a high capacity alternative for deep foundations required by law and/or environment that can be installed in tight areas of limited access.  Because of the system used to install them this can happen far more quickly than other types of pile systems and concrete foundations can be poured same day. They can also be retrofitted easily to existing structures (see a structural engineer for details). 

If you have questions about helical piles for new or existing construction, call Southern Coast Foundation Systems, Inc. today. We'd be more than happy to discuss with you those options available to you for your project and budget.

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