The Helix Effect: How Helical Piles Revolutionize Foundation Installation

Are you considering using helical piles for your next construction project? That's a smart move - helical piles are a versatile and durable foundation solution that can save you time and money in the long run. But before you dive headfirst into installation, it's important to understand the process involved. Don't worry, it's not rocket science - but it does require some know-how and the right tools for the job.

Step 1: Site Assessment

The first step in installing helical piles is to assess the site where they will be placed. This involves checking for any obstacles or challenges that may affect the installation process, such as buried utilities, rock formations, or poor soil conditions. Think of it like a game of Minesweeper - except instead of avoiding bombs, you're avoiding costly mistakes.

Step 2: Equipment Setup

Once you've assessed the site, it's time to get the equipment in place. The best setup to install the helical piles in the ground is a mini-excavator with a mounted hydraulic torque motor (a drive head) like Postech is using.

Step 3: Installation

When everything is in place and ready, it’s time to start the installation. This involves driving the piles into the ground using the torque motor and drive head. The piles are screwed directly in the ground like a big giant metal screw. As the pile advances, additional extensions can be added to the pile shaft to reach the desired depth if needed.

Step 4: Torque monitoring

This is a crucial step during the installation to ensure that the piles have the right load-bearing capacity. While piles are driven in the ground, our machines are calibrated to provide the torque applied on the piles to determine the weight they can support. The torque refers to the force required to turn the helical pile into the soil, and it can be used as a measure of the pile's capacity to support vertical and horizontal loads. By monitoring the torque during installation, engineers can confirm that the pile is being installed at the correct depth and that the soil conditions are suitable for the pile's intended use. Overall, torque monitoring is a crucial quality control step in the helical pile installation process.

And there you have it - a brief overview of the helical pile installation process. Of course, there are many other factors to consider, such as soil conditions, pile spacing, and pile and helix size. But with the right equipment and expertise, installing helical piles can be a breeze.