How many helical piers do I need? Assuming each pier has a bearing area of 1.6 sq ft (two helices of 12” diameter each), there must be a minimum of 405,000 lbs/12,000 psf divided by 1.6 ft2/pier, or 21 piers around the perimeter. For a safety factor of 2, there should be 42 piers.
What size helical piers does piertech offer?
What size helical piers does PierTech offer? PierTech manufactures 1 ½” and 1 ¾” Square shaft (Tension), 2 7/8’ and 3 ½” (Compression) for residential and light commercial. We also offer 4 1/2” – 16” OD Hercules Piles for commercial and industrial applications, also for loads more than 500 tons.
How does a helical pier work?
A helical pier has one or more metal discs or “bearing plates” that are welded in a spiral pattern around a rigid central core. The load from the foundation is passed from a connection point to the shaft, from the shaft to the discs, and from the discs to the surrounding soil.
Do you need helical piers for your foundation?
If you think helical piers may be needed, follow these steps. Find an experienced local foundation company, and make an appointment. Before you sign a contract for any service, you should always verify the company is reputable, insured, and accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
Do helical piers lose strength over time?
This is a detailed guide on Helical Piers Almost 43.4% of the structures lose their strength within a few years of their construction. We can help you in protecting your structure from all adverse situations and damages. Want to know how big structures stand tall and maintain their strength?
When to use helical piers?
Use helical piers when adding on to commercial or residential properties. Consider helical piers to support auxiliary structures and slabs – such as outbuildings, sheds, patios, mezzanines, balconies, garages, pole barns or parking covers.
What is a helical pier?
At the most basic level a “helical pier” is an earth anchoring device designed for deep foundation support. A helical pier has one or more metal discs or “bearing plates” that are welded in a spiral pattern around a rigid central core. The load from the foundation is passed from a connection point to the shaft, from the shaft to the discs, ...
Why are helical piers used?
Remember that helical piers were invented to solve the most challenging foundation support problems in the harshest ...
How do helical piers differ from other foundation technologies?
Helical piers are fundamentally different from old-school poured or driven piles because they distribute the foundation load instead of concentrating it on just one bearing point.
What is a deep penetrating helical pier?
Deep penetrating helical piers can be used to support foundations in new construction projects. Now that you have a little more background on helical piers and how they work, it’s easy to see how versatile they are for all kinds of building applications.
Who invented the helical pier?
The invention of the helical pier is credited to a man named Alexander Mitchell. Born in Ireland in 1780, his work as a brickmaker inspired him to create some clever machinery to help simplify and automate the hard manual labor.
How long does it take to build a helical pier?
In average soil, driving a helical pier takes about 10 minutes, after which it’s ready to build on.
What is a helical pier?
A helical pier is a manufactured steel foundation pin that is driven into the soil to a depth below frostline using hydraulic machinery. Helical piers are primarily used in heavy commercial work, but they’re also well-suited for backyard decks, additions, and foundation repairs.
How many feet are piers?
Typical piers have a 7-foot shaft with a helical bearing plate welded to the end and a cap on top that attaches to the framing. Most piers intended for residential use are hot-dipped galvanized steel. If the soil is particularly corrosive, sacrificial anodes (similar to those used to protect underground LPG tanks) can be added.
How big is a concrete pier?
A concrete pier would need to be bigger than 16 inches in diameter in verified 4,000-psi soil to achieve the same capacity. Because of the higher bearing capacity, most projects require fewer piers, although larger beams may be needed for the greater spans.
Is a pier galvanized?
In most commercial and industrial applications , however, the piers aren’t even galvanized. The diameter of the helix varies based on soil conditions. Generally, the installer selects a smaller helix for rocky soils and a larger one for marshy and clay soils.
How long is a pier?
The standard pier length is 21 feet, and this is enough for most of the homes within our service area. But this may not be long enough to reach the stable and undisturbed soil that piers need to “lock” in place. If you live in an area with a high water table or the soil composition has a significant amount of organics, ...
What is the least expensive way to install a pier?
The least expensive installation method for piers is machine-digging. They can be hand-dug, to minimize damage to the exterior landscape, but manual labor adds to the price and the length of the job. It’s important to note that hand-digging also may not be enough to preserve all of the surrounding area.
Where are piers located?
Piers need to be dug close to the foundation; they are positioned under your home’s footer. The footer is located at the base of your foundation. Depending on where your foundation needs stabilizing, the piers may need to be installed in an inconvenient location.
Helical Piers – Getting A Handle on The Basics
How Helical Piers Differ from Other Foundation Technologies
- Helical piers are fundamentally different from old-school poured or driven piles because they distribute the foundation load instead of concentrating it on just one bearing point. While it’s true that a driven pile can rest on bedrock if it’s installed correctly, it can shift out of plumb over time and lose its bearing strength. Rather than providing just one supporting contact point, helical pie…
The Best Applications For Helical Piers – Residential and Commercial
- Now that you have a little more background on helical piers and how they work, it’s easy to see how versatile they are for all kinds of building applications. They were originally developed to support structures above weak or wet soil, and are ideal for protecting foundations from just about any kind of unstable or shifting soil. Engineers have commonly recommended helical pier…
What Are The Costs of Helical Pier Projects?
- If you’ve been wondering about cost, a reputable installer will be transparent with you and show you how to plan around your budget constraints for the best result. Helical piers are normally priced by size. The size of the shaft will be determined by the structural load you have to support. The number, size and placement of the helical bearing plates will be determined by the stability …