Goals
Faced with geotechnical challenges and the need to implement specialized foundations for a two-story house with a metal frame, along with the associated costs, the construction company KSAS recognized the need to investigate cost-effective and technically sound foundation alternatives to meet its value proposition.
AXIATECH was contacted to provide a foundation solution capable of handling the load demands in a complex geotechnical environment, guaranteeing compliance with the regulatory requirements of NSR-10.
The proposed helical pile system emerged as the most viable alternative from a technical and economic standpoint, not only meeting but exceeding the performance requirements of the project, the surrounding environment, and the client.
CONVENTIONAL SOLUTION
Due to the project conditions, the construction of pre-excavated piles (Caissons) of 1 m in diameter and 8 m in depth was considered, whose associated cost dramatically increased the project budget and required the development of special activities with quite high associated times.
SOLUTION IN HELICAL PILES
Through collaboration between our engineering team and the construction company KSAS, we were able to calibrate a foundation and soil-structure interaction model. This model allowed us to control the structural loads within the complex geotechnical environment. The piles were designed based on the loads at each support, as determined by the structural engineer, for various combinations of applied loads (axial, lateral, and moments). Control variables were also established to ensure the quality of each support during construction.
This project stands as a milestone in housing construction, considering that it has been the first house in Colombia built on helical piles.
FACILITY
The foundation for the two-story house was constructed using a total of 16 piles with depths ranging from 3.5 m to 12 m. The piles used had an external diameter of 3.5 inches and a thickness of 0.30 inches, with three helical piles measuring 8, 10, and 12 inches in diameter.
The installation of the helical piles was completed in two working days using conventional construction equipment.
Helical piles are becoming established as an alternative for housing construction…
A.B. CHANCE – Hubbell Foundation
World-leading manufacturers of helical piles, with over 100 years of experience and history in foundation engineering solutions applying helical pile technology.
