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Chapter 2
Helical Foundation Systems
CHAPTER 2
HELICAL FOUNDATION SYSTEMS
CHAPTER 2
HELICAL FOUNDATION SYSTEMS
2.1 – History
The use of helical piles and anchors in
construction dates back nearly 200 years. In the
1830s, the earliest versions of today’s helical
piles were used in England for moorings and
for the foundations of lighthouse structures.
Usage spread throughout the world through the
later 19th century for similar type applications.
Developments and improvements in other deep
foundation alternatives then resulted in a general
decrease in the use of helical piles in the first
half of the 20th century. Following World War
II, advancements in hydraulic motors and the
explosive expansion of the national utility grid
caused a resurgence in the use of helical piles,
primarily in tension applications for guying towers
and poles. Today, helical piles are used in both
tension and compression load applications and
are gaining worldwide acceptance throughout
the construction industry and engineering
community due to the versatility of both the
product and the installation equipment. In
2007, the International Code Council Evaluation
Service (ICC-ES) approved AC358, Acceptance
Criteria for Helical Pile Systems and Devices.
AC358 provides helical pile manufacturers
with standardized methods for the design and
testing of helical piles, resulting in product
capacity ratings that are generally considered
conservative, yet appropriate. Interested parties
may purchase a copy of AC358 from the ICC-ES
website:
. Helical piles have also
been included of the International Building Code
since the 2009 edition.
Early patent of screw (helical) piles
Lighthouse supported by
helical pile foundations
