Why Chance Helical Piles

CHANCE Helical Pile Foundation System

New construction foundations don’t have to be a headache. The CHANCE® helical pile foundation system gives you the performance of concrete without the drawbacks and liabilities of driven piles and drilled shafts. The helical pile foundation can be devised to resist or support any load or application. It can be installed with lightweight construction equipment and loaded immediately. There’s no concrete curing time, and predefined capacities are predictable, putting you in control. Approved by national building code agencies BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI, CCMC and ICC, the CHANCE helical pile and tension anchor has become the deep foundation system of choice for architects, builders, contractors, engineers and geotechnical firms.

The CHANCE helical pile foundation system is perfect for a wide range of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential applications — from new homes and high-rise structures to sound walls, communication towers and bridges.

Here are just a few applications:

  • New construction supporting foundation grade beams, column bases, compression, tension and concrete slabs
  • Repairing failed or old foundations using time-tested engineering solutions
  • Retrofit foundations in existing structures where new loads are being added or under existing concrete slab
  • Permanent battered piers to take lateral loads, including wind and seismic
  • Machinery/equipment foundations for immediate loading with increased capacity
  • Wind and seismic loading applications such as sound walls, billboards, communication towers, etc
  • Foundation support in tight access or inaccessible areas, primarily vertical axial compression loading
  • Permanent or temporary foundation structural shoring, primarily vertical compression loading
  • Permanent tension hold downs for wind and seismic loads
  • Foundations in noise-sensitive areas where vibration is a concern

How It Works

The CHANCE helical pile is a segmented deep foundation system with helical bearing plates welded to a central shaft. Load is transferred from the shaft to the soil through these bearing plates. As a result of their true helical shape, the helices do not auger into the soil but rather screw into it with minimal disturbance.

The first section, called the lead section, contains the helical plates. The lead section can consist of one to four helices. If required, additional helices can be added with the use of helical extensions. Plain extensions are then added until the Lead Section penetrates the bearing strata and the necessary or appropriate torque is achieved.

The helical pier foundation is preferred over driven piles, drilled shafts, grouted tendons, auger-cast piles, belled piers and other deep foundation systems for a number of compelling reasons. Some of them are listed below.

  • Fast installation and immediate loading
  • Pre-engineered system
  • Eliminates high-mobilization costs associated with driven piles, drilled shafts or auger-cast piles
  • Instant torque-to-capacity feedback for production control
  • Easily modified in the field
  • No need for concrete to cure
  • Uses common construction equipment easily fitted with hydraulically-driven torque motors
  • Easy to use in limited access sites, high water tables and weak surface soils
  • No need to remove spoils
  • No casings required for flowable sands, soft clay or organic soils
  • Minimizes soil disturbance during installation
  • Installs in inclement weather
  • No vibration
  • Environmentally friendly

Reliable Hardware

SS (SQUARE SHAFT) PILES and ANCHORS
Includes 1-1/2”, 1-3/4”, 2”, and 2-1/4” square shafts. Features extension shafts with upset sockets to lengthen anchors.

HS (HOLLOW SHAFT) PILES and ANCHORS
Uses 2-7/8” and 3-1/2” pipe shafts for a wide array of foundation applications.

SS & HS COMBO PIERS and ANCHORS
Adapters take all square shaft products and couple them with the 2-7/8” or 3-1/2” extensions. This allows a greater variety of uses for the helical pier.

HELICAL EXTENSION
Helical extensions with increasing diameters used to reach competent load-bearing soil.

NEW CONSTRUCTION BRACKET
Transfers load of structure to helical pier.

Please contact a member of our team to review your project needs
Drivetech Helical Foundation Systems

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