Introduction

This might seem like a silly question, but what's your foundation of choice when it comes to concrete projects?

We know, it's a bit of an obvious answer.

More concrete (probably).

It's a common solution here in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba. From slabs to ICF blocks, basements to foundation walls, using concrete to support those structures is almost a default choice.

But, what if you could leverage the power of another foundation solution to expedite your concrete projects, prolong their life, and defend against our constantly shifting ground?

Helical pile foundations are often seen as a competitor to concrete, but they're actually a perfect pairing. A helical foundation can be installed quickly with minimal disturbance to the site, easily transitioning to virtually any concrete project with a wide variety of pile adapters.

In this blog post, we're diving head-first into exploring the connection between helical piles and concrete projects. How they work, use-cases, benefits, the whole nine yards.

So if you've ever wondered, "Can I use helical piles with concrete", this is the post for you. And if you haven't ever wondered that... it's still worth a read! You might just find out how you can apply a helical pile foundation to improve your concrete structures.

What Are Helical Piles?

For starters, it's a good idea to briefly define what helical piles are and how they work. If you're already familiar with this, feel free to skip this section! Otherwise, let's get into it.

Helical piles are a type of deep foundation, but they're unique in function and design to other solutions. Let's walk through the main components of a helical pile and see how it works.

How We Install a Helical Pile Foundation

The installation of a helical pile is surprisingly simple and straightforward with the right training and equipment.

First, you need a foundation design. This can come either from your own engineers, or we can leverage our trusted partners to deliver a code-compliant foundation plan.

Based on that foundation plan, the location of each pile needs to be marked-out on your site. We recommend using large steel nails or pins to do this, as it increases installation accuracy.

Installing the piles requires a hydraulic drive head, often attached to an excavator or skidsteer depending on the size of piles and site conditions. The pile is connected to the drive which provides the rotational force needed to turn each pile down into the ground.

During installation we carefully monitor parameters like the speed of rotation and the torque required to continue advancing the pile.

Why do we monitor torque? Because the amount of torque we apply to advance the helical pile has a direct correlation to its' ultimate load capacity. By reading torque we can verify the safety and performance of each pile in real-time. It also allows us to quickly identify and respond to unexpected ground conditions.

Once all the helical piles are installed, pile adapters are attached to the tops and they're ready to support your concrete project!

Why Helical Pile Foundations for Concrete?

Okay, now that we know what helical piles are and how they work, it's time for the big question...

Why should you consider a helical foundation for your concrete project?

That's actually a pretty big question, and there isn't one single answer to it. There's so many different types of concrete project that one person's reason for choosing helical piles may be unique to another.

So, in the spirit of brevity, it seems best to cover some of the top reasons you may want to consider helical piles.

Performance in Manitoba's Soil Conditions

Anyone who has done any kind of excavation or construction in Manitoba probably knows first-hand the difficulties we face with our soils.
From dense clay to sandy loam, and of course our famous "Manitoba gumbo", the dirt beneath our feet holds plenty of challenges for concrete projects. One of the biggest is ground movement resulting from our intense freeze and thaw cycles.
As moisture in the soil freezes, the individual particles begin to expand as ice is less dense than liquid water. The result is usually significant amounts of ground movement and enormous pressures exerted on buried foundations.
This shrink/swell action also has effects above ground as it causes the soil to heave upwards or sink down. If you've ever noticed "new rocks" poking out of the ground in your yard after the spring thaw, it's due to these underground pressures forcing them out.
However, the unique shape of a helical pile allows it to resist these forces and prevent foundation movement even in the most expansive soils. A wide helix plate delivers excellent bearing capacity, while the comparatively narrow pile shaft is not affected by ground movement. The result is a shockingly strong foundation that will prevent heaving, sinking, shifting, or damage.

Speed & Efficiency

We're not sure where the saying "time is money" originated, but we wouldn't be surprised if it was coined by someone who worked in construction!

Every day spent on a project costs time and money, which eats into not only your profits but also your availability for other jobs. The faster you can finish the concrete work, the more clients you can handle in a year.

A typical helical pile foundation can be installed and ready to use in less than one day. With little-to-no site preparation required and zero waiting for concrete to cure, you can start pouring significantly sooner.

Versatility

No two concrete projects are really ever the same. There's always some aspect or element to make it unique, from tricky ground conditions to local environmental considerations.

So, when thinking about a deep foundation for concrete, you need a solution that can easily adapt to a wide range of situations.

One of the hallmarks of helical foundations is their versatility of application, function, and performance. Thanks to their design and installation method, they can be engineered to suit different types of structural loads such as challenging lateral forces.

Long-Term Durability

You don't need to be told this, but the Manitoba climate is hard on concrete. Few places in the world deal with the array of weather conditions we do, so it's not surprising that longevity is a key concern when it comes to concrete projects.

While a helical foundation can't do anything about the surface of the concrete, it certainly can solidify the structural integrity with deep support.

In a sense, helical piles "isolate" your concrete structure from the seasonal movement occurring under (and above) ground. As the soil shits during the freeze/thaw cycle your concrete is protected from lifting, sinking, or cracking (from ground movement).

Seeing as our helical piles are rated for a minimum of 50 years, and can last far beyond that, the result is a footing that will last as long as the concrete.

Use-Cases for Helical Piles in Concrete Projects

There's (practically) no limit to the types of concrete projects you can support with a helical pile foundation.
But, to help spark your imagination and see the possibilities, let's take a look at some of the common use-cases we frequently encounter here at Glawson Piling.

Foundation Walls (Basements & Crawlspaces)

A popular type of building foundation in Manitoba, foundation walls are typically supported by a wider concrete footer around the base. While this has traditionally been a reliable solution, helical piles can greatly increase the structural stability of foundation walls.

When used as a footer for the wall instead of more concrete, you can transfer loads into firm and reliable soil layers that are less prone to movement. This ensures long-term strength and integrity, no matter the ground conditions.

Concrete Slabs

Concrete slabs provide a versatile platform for a range of uses, from house foundations to equipment pads. Our tough climate, however, can pose a problem for them. As the ground shifts and moves during the freeze/thaw cycle, it can cause cracking or sinking in the slab.

Helical piles can be used to support concrete slabs, offering a sure-footed support that prevents damage from our harsh weather. They can also increase the slab's strength, allowing for heavy equipment to be placed or parked on top. This can be especially desirable for garages or even entire homes!

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)

ICF blocks have become a popular way to build basements, crawlspaces, and even entire structures. Quick, strong, and well-insulated, they're a great alternative to more traditional poured concrete walls. But they still need a sturdy footer, which is where helical piles come in.

You can use helical piles as a footer for insulated concrete forms, further increasing the already-impressive strength and durability of this building technology. Concrete pile caps make it easy to transition the helical piles to your ICF wall, expediting construction timelines and ensuring decades of durability.

Precast Concrete

Steps, beams, walls, culverts, and more, precast concrete is a staple of modern construction. And much like poured concrete, it can be used alongside helical piles! The process is similar to using helical piles to support poured concrete, with the biggest difference being found in the type of pile adapter used.

Our flat plate or L-bracket caps are often well-suited to supporting precast concrete, and as always a custom design can be fabricated if needed.

Monuments

From cenotaphs to art installations, concrete monuments tend to be extremely heavy and installed in public locations. This makes a reliable foundation essential, as anything less could become a safety issue. Like with precast concrete, helical piles are more than capable of withstanding the significant loads from monuments even in poor soils.
Another benefit of helical piles for monuments is their ability to be uninstalled from the ground and leave no trace behind. Should the monument ever need to be moved, the foundation won't leave an expensive scar on the land to remediate.

Summary & Conclusion

While it might seem like concrete and helical piles are competing foundation solutions at first, they're actually complementary to each-other.

Concrete is a versatile material great for creating slabs, walls, monuments, and so on. Helical piles are a versatile foundation perfect for delivering sure-footed deep support.

When you combine the two, you end up with a concrete project that will enjoy long-term durability and stability. Plus, you'll expedite your timelines since you won't be waiting for concrete piles or footers to cure. Not to mention reducing the amount of excavation and site disturbance, saving time and money on clean-up.

If you're a contractor, it means you can do more projects in a season.

If you're a homeowner, it means you can start enjoying your project sooner.

If you're an engineer, it means you can leverage both concrete and helical piles to maximize performance.

It's not too often you get the best of both worlds in construction, but using a helical foundation to support your concrete project is one of those times.

Get in touch with our team at Glawson Piling to learn more about your helical pile foundation options, ask us questions, or get a quote! We're ready to make your foundation process impossibly easy.