What is a Helical Pile?
A device used to attach or support a load at or near the surface of the earth. It consists of three parts:
1. Termination: Transfers applied load to the shaft (Repair
Brackets, Pile Caps, Grillages, Guy Adapters, Shackles, etc.)
2. Shaft or Rod: Transfers load to bearing element (Square Shaft or Round
Pipe)
3. Bearing Element: Transfers applied load to soil (Helix or Starter Section
for Resistance Pier)
A helical anchor/pile consists of one or more helix-shaped bearing plates attached to a central shaft, which is installed by rotating or "torquing" into the ground. Each helix is attached near the tip, is generally circular in plan, and formed into a helix with a defined pitch.
Helical anchors/piles derive their load-carrying capacity through both end bearing on the helix plates and skin friction on the shaft.
The advantages of Helical Piles
- Rapid installation
- Fast application of load - no waiting for concrete to cure
- No spoils to remove
- No frost heave problems
- Green
- Uses no water for concrete (assuming no pile cap)
- Uses recycled steel
- Easily removable and recyclable
- Smaller installation equipment
- Lower mobilization cost
- Good in environmentally sensitive areas
- Good where equipment access is limited
- poor soils, swamps, river crossings, remote areas
- Installation torque gives real time indication of load capacity
The Pile Master use the CHANCE® Helical Pile System as it offers a well-recognised and extremely cost effective alternative to other pile systems and is backed by over 100 years of engineering experience.
Since 1912, Chance has been the international leader in earth anchoring. Their helical piles are used worldwide to secure residential and commercial buildings, tower foundations, heavy equipment foundations and many other deep foundation applications. CHANCE® Helical piles are approved by all national building code agencies. Here at The Pile Master, we are proud to not only be aligned with Hubbell, but to also be the only company in New Zealand certified to install their products.
