- 585-346-6021
A helical pile is an end-bearing deep foundation system used in both compression and tension applications. Torque applied to the shaft installs the pile with no vibration, no spoils, and minimal ground disturbance.
Loads are transferred down the shaft onto helical plates, then to the load-bearing strata above and beneath each plate. The torque required to install the pile directly correlates to its capacity — the greater the resistance, the denser the soil and the higher the load-carrying capability.
Also called screw piles, they can be used in applications that call for a driven pile, drilled pier, or minipile — and are particularly well suited to sites close to existing structures.
Looking to find out the cost of helical piles for your project?
Helical piles are suited to a wide range of project types and ground conditions across BC and Western Canada.
Industrial, commercial, institutional, infrastructure, and residential — from single-storey to 30 storeys
Adding capacity to existing foundations for repairs, remediation, or renovation. Well adapted to retrofit challenges.
Communications and transmission towers. Works in low headroom and remote areas with difficult access.
Where traditional methods are not practical or feasible — helical piles tackle access challenges and tight timelines.
Tight access or low headroom where large shoring equipment can’t mobilize. Keeps projects on track.
Displaces very little soil — a preferred option where excavation and spoil removal is restricted or costly.
Four main types have evolved to suit different loading and soil conditions.
Consists of solid square shafts, ranging from 1.5″ to 2″. The piles are typically used for ultimate loads between 100 and 650 kN (25-150 kips) but have been tested to loads in excess of 900 kN (200 kips) in unique situations.
Square shaft products are generally used in small to moderate loading applications, and they provide excellent tension resistance. Square shaft piles are able to penetrate dense and cobble-rich soil when compared to their helical pipe pile equivalents, but they have lower resistance to buckling and negligible lateral load resistance.
Small-diameter pile piles consist of pipe sections ranging from 2 7/8″ to 5.5″ in diameter, with wall thicknesses ranging from 0.203″ to 0.375″ depending on the application and loading. These piles can withstand similar loads to the square shaft pile (100-650 kN, 25-150 kips), but they provide superior buckling resistance and lateral load resistance. Small-diameter pipe helical piles penetrate well into sand and clay, but can be difficult to install in cobble-rich soil.
These piles combine some of the benefits of square shaft and small diameter pipe helical piles. The pile starts with a square shaft and transitions to small diameter pipe. Where depths and soils allow, this pile type provides the excellent penetration of the square shaft piles in addition to the lateral and buckling resistance of the pipe piles.
These piles are the newest emerging product and have gained significant popularity over the last ten years. They consist of pipe shafts ranging from 7″ to 30″ or greater. These piles require large equipment to install and can withstand loads in excess of 2500 kN (560 kips).
Four main types have evolved to suit different loading and soil conditions.
Consists of solid square shafts, ranging from 1.5″ to 2″. The piles are typically used for ultimate loads between 100 and 650 kN (25-150 kips) but have been tested to loads in excess of 900 kN (200 kips) in unique situations.
Square shaft products are generally used in small to moderate loading applications, and they provide excellent tension resistance. Square shaft piles are able to penetrate dense and cobble-rich soil when compared to their helical pipe pile equivalents, but they have lower resistance to buckling and negligible lateral load resistance.
Small-diameter pile piles consist of pipe sections ranging from 2 7/8″ to 5.5″ in diameter, with wall thicknesses ranging from 0.203″ to 0.375″ depending on the application and loading. These piles can withstand similar loads to the square shaft pile (100-650 kN, 25-150 kips), but they provide superior buckling resistance and lateral load resistance. Small-diameter pipe helical piles penetrate well into sand and clay, but can be difficult to install in cobble-rich soil.
These piles combine some of the benefits of square shaft and small diameter pipe helical piles. The pile starts with a square shaft and transitions to small diameter pipe. Where depths and soils allow, this pile type provides the excellent penetration of the square shaft piles in addition to the lateral and buckling resistance of the pipe piles.
These piles are the newest emerging product and have gained significant popularity over the last ten years. They consist of pipe shafts ranging from 7″ to 30″ or greater. These piles require large equipment to install and can withstand loads in excess of 2500 kN (560 kips).