Helical piles, also known as helical piers or screw piles, are a proven deep foundation solution used across a wide range of applications, including new construction, underpinning, oil and gas, utility, and infrastructure projects. Despite their widespread adoption, several misconceptions persist in the construction world. These myths can deter engineers, contractors, and property owners from considering them as a viable alternative to traditional foundation systems.
In this article, we’ll debunk the most common myths surrounding helical piles and set the record straight with clear, fact-based insights. Whether you’re a general contractor, structural engineer, or commercial property owner, this guide will help you better understand the truth about helical pile technology.
Myth #1: Helical Piles Are Only for Light Structures
Reality: One of the most persistent myths is that helical piles are only suitable for light-duty structures like decks, signs, or small residential homes. This is false.
Helical piles are used in a wide range of heavy-duty commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects. Their load-bearing capacity can be engineered to support hundreds of kips per pile (1 kip = 1,000 pounds of force). With the correct design and installation, helical piles can support structures such as:
- Multi-story commercial buildings
- Tank Farms
- Compressor Stations
- Transmission towers
- Substations
Helical piles are engineered systems, not off-the-shelf products. With proper torque correlation and geotechnical data, they can match or exceed the capacity of traditional driven or drilled foundations.
Myth #2: Helical Piles Are a New, Unproven Technology
Reality: While the term may seem modern, the helical pile has been around for nearly 200 years. Invented in the 1830s by Alexander Mitchell, they were originally used for lighthouse foundations in tidal waters where traditional foundations failed. Their modern resurgence is due to improvements in materials, equipment, and engineering techniques.
Today, helical piles are widely specified in building codes and accepted by engineers around the world. Organizations like the International Code Council (ICC) and ASTM International have standardized their testing, performance, and design. Far from being unproven, they are one of the most thoroughly tested and documented foundation technologies available.
Myth #3: Helical Piles Can’t Handle Uplift or Lateral Loads
Reality: Helical piles are uniquely capable of resisting both axial (downward) and uplift (tensile) forces. In fact, their ability to resist uplift/lateral makes them ideal for:
- Pipe Supports/Bridges
- Communication towers
- Guyed structures
- High-wind or seismic zones
Multiple helices along the shaft and custom spacing can be designed to meet specific uplift or lateral load requirements. Engineers routinely use helical tiebacks and anchors for slope stabilization and earth retention systems.
The configuration, number of helices, and shaft size are customized for each job site based on the soil profile and design criteria.
Myth #4: Helical Piles Can Only Be Installed in Soft Soils
Reality: While soft or loose soils are ideal for helical pile installation due to lower resistance, helical piles can also be installed in dense or moderately stiff soils. The key is selecting the correct shaft size and helical configuration to achieve the desired torque-to-capacity ratio.
Soils with gravel, cobbles, or fill can pose challenges, but specialized pre-drill tools and higher torque heads make installation feasible in all but the most resistant materials (like solid rock). In those cases, alternate foundation methods may be used in conjunction with helical systems.
Myth #5: Helical Piles Are Too Expensive Compared to Traditional Foundations
Reality: While unit pricing per pile may seem higher in some cases, the total installed cost of helical piles is often lower than traditional concrete foundations when considering the entire scope. Here’s why:
- No excavation or spoils hauling required
- No curing time – immediate load bearing
- Minimal equipment and crew needed
- Faster installation (often 5x faster)
- Reduced site disturbance and restoration costs
Especially in remote, urban, or environmentally sensitive sites, the time and cost savings are substantial. Plus, with the ability to accurately predict capacity using installation torque, costly overdesign is avoided.
Myth #6: Helical Piles Are Less Durable Than Concrete or Driven Piers
Reality: Helical piles are manufactured using high-strength steel with protective coatings such as hot-dip galvanizing, making them highly resistant to corrosion and suitable for long-term use in aggressive soils. With proper design, coating selection, and cathodic protection if necessary, they can have lifespans exceeding 100 years.
Unlike cast-in-place concrete, which can suffer from shrinkage cracks and environmental degradation, helical piles offer predictable, engineered performance with quality control built into the manufacturing and installation process.
Myth #7: Helical Piles Aren’t Code Compliant
Reality: Helical piles are code-compliant and recognized in international and local building codes. Many products have ICC-ES Reports (such as ESR-2794), which document their compliance with performance standards. Engineering firms regularly design helical pile foundations for:
- IBC-compliant commercial buildings
- Municipal infrastructure
- Department of Transportation (DOT) projects
As long as products are installed by certified professionals and the design follows local geotechnical recommendations, they meet all structural requirements for safety and performance.
Myth #8: Helical Pile Installation is Loud and Disruptive
Reality: One of the biggest advantages of helical piles is their quiet and vibration-free installation process. Unlike driven piles or large concrete pours, helical piles can be installed with small, hydraulically powered equipment and generate minimal noise. This makes them ideal for:
- Urban infill sites
- Hospitals and schools
- Environmentally sensitive areas
- Historic preservation projects
No pounding, no excavation, and no concrete trucks mean a cleaner, quieter job site and reduced impact on nearby structures.
Myth #9: Helical Piles Are Only for Temporary Use
Reality: While they are indeed great for temporary foundations because they can be removed and reused, helical piles are just as well-suited for permanent installations. With corrosion protection and proper design, they provide long-lasting performance and are often chosen specifically for their durability in permanent foundations.
In fact, many government and military projects specify helical piles precisely because of their long-term reliability and minimal environmental footprint.
Myth #10: All Helical Piles and Installers Are the Same
Reality: Not all helical piles or contractors are created equal. Differences in manufacturing quality, shaft dimensions, helix geometry, steel strength, and corrosion protection can significantly impact performance.
Contractor experience is critical for prequalification. From safety performance, past project experience, and financial history are all critical items to review.
Always work with a reputable manufacturer and experienced installer. At US Helicals, we use high-grade materials and proven engineering processes to ensure quality and performance. Our crews are certified, trained, and equipped with the latest technology to deliver reliable results on every job.
Conclusion: Trust the Technology, Not the Myths
Helical piles are a modern, efficient, and versatile solution for deep foundation and anchoring needs. By debunking these common myths, we hope to shed light on the true capabilities of this remarkable technology. Whether you’re stabilizing an existing foundation or building a new structure from the ground up, helical piles offer speed, performance, and value that other systems struggle to match.
If you have a project in mind and want expert insight, contact the professionals at US Helicals. We’re here to help you build stronger, smarter, and with confidence.
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