Case study on utilizing large diameter helical piles as reusable soldier piles for support of excavation (SOE)-PPT Presentation

PPT Presentation

Pdf Summary

The presentation describes using extractable helical piles as a sustainable alternative to conventional soldier piles for a support-of-excavation (SOE) system at the Wenjian Liu School of Civics and Entrepreneurship project.<br /><br />The site investigation identified fill over layers of medium-dense to dense silty sand and sand, gravel and silty gravel, and soft-to-stiff sandy silt. Proposed building footings were approximately 18 feet below existing grade, requiring temporary excavation support.<br /><br />The project used helical piles in place of conventional soldier piles, with lagging configured to retain the soil during excavation. The presenter notes that the contractor’s existing helical-pile equipment and experience helped reduce installation costs. Helical piles also offered quieter installation and lower vibration than driven or vibrated piles, eliminating the need for vibration monitoring on this project. No splicing was required.<br /><br />A key sustainability benefit was the ability to extract and reuse the piles, lagging, and most bolting materials after the temporary support system was no longer needed. The project demonstrates how extractable helical piles can provide a practical, lower-noise, lower-vibration, and reusable alternative for excavation support, depending on the contractor’s capabilities and site requirements.

Keywords

helical piles

support of excavation

sustainable construction

temporary excavation support

extractable piles

soldier piles

lagging

low vibration installation

reuse materials

site investigation