Helical Pier Foundation Systems

go do it

anyone have any have any experiance with these

http://www.abchance.com/applications...esidential.asp

we MAY have a house to do in colorado that called for drilled post and grade beam foundation ,but after everyone picked up their jaws off the floor because of the price (that could kill the whole project). we are now starting the almost inevitable process of finding more ECONOMICAL alternatives.

thanks

ch0mpie

seen them spec'd out for utility only. Personally I wouldn't use them for any other permanent structure as they have no corrosion protection.

For alternatives, has anyone consulted a geotech engineer? done test borings? The fact is any pile or drilled foundation is going to be a lot more expensive then footings. How deep are they proposing to go with the helical piles? If it's possible dig down deeper and pour larger footings or a mat.

go do it

there was a geo-tec firm involved with a soil test
see this
http://www.contractortalk.com/showth...ghlight=pueblo

just looking for insight from others who have used helical piers cost / ease of construction etc.

ch0mpie

What are the bedrock conditions? How deep to rock? What is the capacity of one pile? A pile 10ft into rock is going to a huge capacity. BTW good luck with that.

Did the geotech recommend this foundation type or just do some test borings? This sounds like something are architect with no soils experience cooked up because its pre-approved by the code.

Are you going to do this work your self or hire a specialty foundations contractor? If your going to do it yourself I would recommend consulting your own geotech who has experience with this, give him a copy of the soils report prepared by the guy who did the test, and ask him to give you some guidance. May cost a few bucks, but a lot less than if you get a rig out there and can't get these things down that deep in the rock.

I don't know about CO, but around here drilled caissons, like hatchet was talking about in that other thread or driven piles are pretty common. Especially timber piles for lightly loaded structures.

ch0mpie

I was just looking at those reports you posted again. They say nothing about drilling those piles into rock.

kevjob

used a helical pier system in silverthorne to dig out basement walls for a sunken theatre the price was around 40,000 for 16 piers i believe this was a while ago so my pricing may be off.

__________________
Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver