While push piers can be used in various soil conditions, they are often less effective than helical piers when dealing with the aggressive expansive clay soils common in regions like the Colorado Front Range.
Key considerations for using push piers in clay include:
In contrast, helical piers are often preferred for clay environments because they are screwed into the ground with minimal soil disturbance, provide immediate load-bearing capacity, and do not require the removal of soil.
The ICC-ES AC358 (Acceptance Criteria for Helical Pile Systems) provides the essential framework we use to evaluate and verify helical pile lateral resistance. Unlike standard design tables, AC358 evaluation reports are based on results from full-scale testing conducted by accredited…
Determining the lateral load capacity for ICC-ES compliance involves a multi-layered engineering approach that combines full-scale laboratory testing, shaft geometry analysis, and field validation. To meet ICC-ES AC358 standards, the lateral capacity of our helical pier systems is determined through…
During the continuous special inspection of a helical pile installation, our team and the assigned special inspector must record specific field data to verify that the as-built foundation aligns with the engineered design and IBC 2026 requirements. We record the…
To ensure a compliant helical pile submittal under IBC 2026, a comprehensive documentation package is required. This package must satisfy the geotechnical, structural, and quality-control standards established in Chapter 18 of the code. The core submittal documents include: As the…
When comparing Polyurethane Foam Lifting to traditional concrete replacement, the longevity of the repair is a significant advantage because it addresses the root cause of the problem. While new concrete provides a fresh surface, it does not fix the underlying…