Commercial helical piles London a.k.a helical piers are a type of deep foundation system that are large in diameter. Steel shafts with helical-shaped plates (blades) at the bottom are screwed deep into the ground to provide foundational support for structures.
Modern constructions in Southwestern Ontario are embracing commercial helical piles for bridges, warehouses, courts, and more, as they are ideal for our soil type and less expensive and invasive than traditional foundation concrete methods.
Power Foundations is a foundation contractor in London, Ontario specializing in helical pile engineering for commercial and industrial applications. They collaborate comprehensively with clients to ensure the site is ready and the design is well-thought-of.
For instance, they recently installed commercial helical piles for a multi-unit residential development of two 4-plex apartments. The team chose commercial helical piles as the best solution to ensure stability and long-term structural integrity. The screw piles could support the foundation needs of the project with minimal disturbance to the construction site.
In this article, we’ll explore the key aspects of commercial helical piers and how ‘foundation contractors near me’ can help you install them.
Key Aspects and Benefits of Commercial Helical Piles
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Applying commercial helical piers
You’ll often find commercial helical piles London used in construction projects by foundation contractors where the ground isn’t exactly cooperative. Think areas with shifting, loose, or highly compressible soil.
Your foundation contractor London Ontario would typically build commercial helical piles to handle heavy loads, making them a go-to choice for everything from homes and commercial buildings to utility installations, communication towers, and even bridges.
- Designing commercial helical screw piles
The components of helical screw piles include helical plates that work like screws. They help greatly to ease installation using screw pile drivers with sizes ranging from 5” to 36” in diameter depending on load requirements. Foundation engineers design them to support larger structures by efficiently transferring loads to the soil.
Commercial helical piles London are faster to install and a more efficient alternative to traditional piling methods.
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Advantages of helical piles London
Commercial helical piles are quick to install and less disruptive than traditional methods. You can consult your foundation contractor London Ontario, on how long it would take to finish your foundation project.
Commercial helical piers cause only minimal vibration, so they won’t disrupt nearby existing structures. Moreover, whether you’re near the lake or in a plain field, commercial helical piles London are pretty versatile, making them ideal for a wide variety of soil types and soil conditions.
Helical piers also offer higher load capacity than standard smaller helical piles. That’s why they’re best for large structures and industrial applications.
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Cost-efficiency and maintenance of helical piles
These piles are a budget-friendly choice since they don’t require massive drilling rigs or heavy-duty pile drivers. Plus, with less excavation and less worry about the weather slowing things down, projects can move along faster.
Once in place, they require little to no maintenance. Thanks to their sturdy steel construction and corrosion-resistant treatment, they are built to last!
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Environmental impact of commercial helical piles
Since commercial helical screw piles London offer little to no soil disturbance, they have a very low environmental impact. They won’t even disturb your trees and landscape significantly, unlike concrete foundations.
How to install commercial helical piles London, Ontario
There are 7 key steps in installing large diameter helical piles for commercial, agricultural, and industrial uses.
1. Site assessment and planning
Before installing commercial helical piles, your foundation contractor London conducts some detective work!
A site analysis helps understand the soil conditions, sometimes involving tests like borehole sampling to check how much weight the ground can handle.
Then, based on these findings, your ‘foundation contractor near me’ and an engineer design the perfect pile system while choosing the right size, number of helical plates, and layout to ensure everything is strong, stable, and durable in the decades to come.
2. Mobilization of helical pile equipment
Once assessment and planning are finished, the right equipment to install helical piles rolls in. This usually includes a powerful torque motor (or hydraulic drive motor) attached to a drill rig or excavator.
The rig twists the helical pile into the ground like a giant screw, making installation smooth and efficient.
3. Pile Assembly
Helical piles consist of a sturdy steel shaft with welded helical plates spaced along it, resembling giant steel screws. The number of plates depends on the soil and how much weight the pile needs to support.
To get the perfect length, sections of the shaft can be bolted or welded together, kind of like building with extra-strong, heavy-duty LEGO pieces.
4. Commercial Helical Piles Installation
Installation is like twisting a giant screw into the ground. The rig positions the pile vertically, and as the shaft rotates, the helical plates pull it deeper, cutting through soil layers and anchoring it securely.
Throughout the process, engineers closely monitor torque until it reaches the right resistance, ensuring the pile is strong enough to handle the expected load.
5. Depth and load testing of commercial helical piles
Once the commercial helical pile London is in place, it gets a final check to make sure it meets all design requirements.
Sometimes, engineers perform load tests (static or dynamic) to double-check that the piles can handle the required weight.
The depth depends on the soil, and if tougher layers like rock show up, the pile might need to go even deeper to find the perfect foundation.
6. Connection to superstructure
Once the helical pile is securely in place and meets all the load requirements, it gets a finishing touch: a sturdy steel bracket or cap on top. This creates the perfect connection point for whatever is being built above, whether it’s a foundation or support beams.
From there, builders securely attach the structure using the best connection system for the job, ensuring strength, stability, and readiness.
7. Final checking and inspection
Before wrapping up, your foundation company London conducts a final check to ensure every pile is installed at the right depth, angle, and torque for a solid foundation. Then, it’s cleanup time! Any leftover soil or materials from the installation are cleared away, leaving the site neat and ready for the next steps.
Summary: Get Started with Commercial Helical Piles London
Commercial helical piles come with some great perks! They go in smoothly with minimal vibration, making them a quiet and non-disruptive option, perfect for urban areas or sites with nearby sensitive structures. The installation is super quick since there’s no need for heavy excavation or major soil removal.
Plus, they’re adaptable to all sorts of ground conditions, even if tougher rock layers show up. It’s an efficient and cost-effective solution, especially when traditional pile driving would be tricky or pricey.
Inquire about commercial helical piles today! Power Foundations, a reliable foundation contractor in London, Ontario, expertly guides you through your foundation project and ensures your structures are built to last. This foundation contractor is also an expert in foundation repair London Ontario, as well as if you’re looking for ‘foundation waterproofing near me.’
Contact Power Foundations London here.
