Helical piles or helical anchors may be incorporated into a foundation system or a shoring wall system. They are unique in that they may be engineered for compressive loads and tension loads.
Helical piles are often utilized to underpin existing structures that have settled or sloping floors. Also, they may be incorporated into a new foundation system. Typically, piles are installed vertical, but because helical piles also function as anchors they may also be installed at an incline to resist lateral or seismic forces.
Helical piles are screwed into the ground using powerful hydraulic drill motors. Drill motors may be mounted to tracked mini-excavators or smaller man-portable drill motors which may be used in limited access conditions like steep slopes or basements.
Helical piles or helical anchors are an attractive alternative to other piling/anchoring systems due to its high design capacity of each helical and they may be installed using limited access equipment and at an affordable price.