Abstract:
Helical Drilling installed and tested helical piles to provide additional foundation support for a municipal project at an existing beach pavilion in Fairfield, CT. Â Portions of the existing structure were supported on timber piles embedded in existing pile caps. The new helical pile scope provided additional deep foundations to supplement a reduction in the existing timber pile capacity due to a partial removal in overburden pressure on the existing timber piles due to a lowering of site grade. Helical piles were installed below the existing building while the building was temporarily secured with shoring towers. The method of renovation required installation in low headroom conditions in many areas, limiting the available installation equipment and thus achievable torque that could be delivered to the piles. The soil conditions proved to be denser than project bid documents indicated. Helical Drilling installed piles to the maximum torque of the available equipment that could safely operate below the existing temporarily supported building. Pile length was maximized to resist lateral loading, scour conditions, and other design requirements as prescribed by the design team.