Bracket with screw sets

The pile cap, otherwise known as the plate (fixed or adjustable) sits directly on the shaft below it.  The 4 set screws will be bolted and tightened, with a minimum of 15 ft-lb of torque using a hexagonal key.  For the adjustable cap, a fifth screw needs to be installed, to prevent lateral movement of the threaded rod.

Bracket with self-drilling screws

A sleeve is attached to the shaft of the pile using self-drilling screws (a minimum of two or three screws is required, see below).  Techno Metal Post recommends using the following product or equivalent:

• UCAN (model TRH 12114K5) self-drilling screws (or any equivalent brand);
• Size 12-24;
• Length 1.25” (32 mm);
• Drill point #5 in galvanized steel.

The allowable uplift resistance varied (lb) between the pile cap and the pile during the laboratory test.

Please note that for deck piles and building additions, we recommend using a minimum of 2 self-drilling screws.  For piles supporting a structure with a roof and no floor (carport, pergola, etc.), we recommend using a minimum of 3 self-drilling screws.  The connection of the supported infrastructure may limit the uplifting force.

The use of an adjustable pile cap must be avoided for free-standing structures with a roof (carport, pergola, etc) given the presence, of greater lateral and uplift loads.

Caring for our planet is a priority for Techno Metal Post.  Just as durability and security are important, protecting and preserving the environment is always front and center for us as well.  Helical pier foundations have a very small impact on the environment, unlike concrete which leaves a large footprint.  With no excavation required, our metal posts are installed in a simple, effortless, and clean way without disruption to the surrounding area.

Techno Metal Post’s proprietary machinery and installation process, ensures flora and fauna remain protected all the while preserving wildlife habitats and ecosystems alike.  Our specialized and versatile installation equipment, runs on biofuel and produces minimal noise, with no vibration.

The machinery can also easily access many different terrain types, in turn creating little impact on the environment.

Techno Metal Post’s certified installers are conscious of and trained to respect every aspect of the ecosystem. Whether it be a forest, meadow, waterfront, or your backyard, our installers make every effort to protect and preserve the surrounding area and its inhabitants.

Techno Metal Post places the environment at the forefront of their projects.  Honoring and respecting the natural world with leading-edge technology and a network of experienced installers worldwide.

Techno Metal Post is very aware the 21st Century can be characterized by a shift towards less traditional choices, ways, and products.  Be it in the way we buy and source food, our mode of transportation, rethinking our energy sources, or shopping online.  Just as people are making informed decisions about how they consume or spend their time, they are also making informed choices about housing.  The reasons are as varied as the individuals are: environmental, space availability, up-keep, down-sizing, expensive cost of real estate, aging population, multi-generational families, etc.  A wide variety of alternative housing, reflect these values in growing numbers.  Whatever the reason, whatever the space, Techno Metal Post is answering those trends, meeting those needs, and reflecting those values.

Whatever housing you choose, it is only as strong and durable as the foundation it is built on.  Techno Metal Post is the ideal foundation alternative for any dwelling.  With Techno Metal Post helical piers, your home (regardless of style or size) can be solid, strong, and secure...and will stand the test of time.

Techno Metal Post helical piers can be quickly and effortlessly installed, thanks to our specialized machinery, trained professionals and certified installers.  With our foundation pier system, usually there is NO need for excavation NOR concrete.  The cost of time and labour are significantly reduced as there is no digging, no dirt hauling, or need to protect dug-out holes from rain.  Other points to consider are: No waiting on an inspector, no mixing/pouring of concrete, and no cure time.  The beauty of a Techno Metal Post foundation comes down to this- The piers are installed in only a few days, which allows you to start securely building your infrastructure.

Alternative Housing Options and Techno Metal Post

The most common and traditional way of building homes is “Site-built” (or “Stick-built”).  These dwellings are completely constructed on-site, on permanent foundations, using Techno Metal Post helical piers.  Certified and proven to be durable, our piers are designed, engineered, and tested to the highest standards, ensuring they can withstand the relevant loads and conditions present.

Many people are now looking towards alternatives to the traditional Site-built home.  A growing market is in alternative housing, namely by using “Off site” building systems.

Modular Home

Increasing in popularity is the “Modular Home”.  Built indoors in a controlled factory setting, it is usually transported to a final location, where it's assembled on-site upon a permanent foundation.  With Techno Metal Post helical piers, the foundation is effortlessly installed, and you can be guaranteed a strong, stable, and durable structure for years, even on the most challenging terrains.  The piers are usually installed within a few days (sometimes in less than one day) so you can begin assembling your home immediately.  We also make sure the installation complies with municipal regulations and adheres to strict quality standards.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Another popular alternative dwelling space, especially on the west coast of North America, is the “Accessory Dwelling Unit” (ADU).  Built on a foundation, an ADU is a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot.  ADU’s can be attached or adjacent to the primary house; are significantly smaller than the primary house; and must be of the same architectural style as the primary house.  We can install piers close to existing structures, pools, gardens, and decks, without disruption to the property or landscape.  Hard to reach areas on your lot are easily accessible, thanks to our compact installation machinery.

Tiny House

A growing trend is the well admired “Tiny House”.  In many circles, Tiny House typically refers to a small home or trailer with wheels and axles that can be moved from one location to another.  While there is great debate as to what does or doesn't constitute a Tiny House, the 2017 International Code Council’s (ICC) official definition doesn't limit it to wheels, and can therefore include a foundation. (Note: A Tiny House is not an ADU).  Techno Metal Post's helical piers, provide a stable foundation for your tiny house, throughout the seasons. During frost/thaw cycles, our exclusive green sleeve ensures that the pier remains securely in place, preventing any movement..  Our installation process is effective, quick, reliable and has a low footprint due to our specialized and compact machinery.  And as with Manufactured Homes, the piers can be removed and relocated.

Studio Shed

Prefab backyard “Studio Sheds” are another housing inclusion that is on the rise.  Though they can be used for storage, these sheds are not the usual 4x4 that stores your lawnmower.  Smaller than an ADU, these sheds are tiny modern studios.  They are often aesthetically designed for living, home offices, creative spaces, or a quiet place to retreat and relax.  A Techno Metal Post helical pier foundation is the perfect solution for these flexible backyard dwelling spaces.  The prefab shed, and foundation, can be easily moved around a property thanks to the simple installation and removal process of our helical piers.  And because the process is very environmentally friendly, we can even install the piers for your studio shed around trees without any harm.

Shipping Container Home

“Shipping Container Homes” are also becoming more and more popular.  Inexpensive and low maintenance, they are a housing alternative which is gaining ground.  These 20 to 40-foot steel containers are being transformed into a vast and creative range of dwelling spaces – from simple, comfortable homes to modern, high-end housing.  On a metal post foundation, shipping container homes can be easily and securely anchored almost anywhere.  Our piers are designed, engineered, and tested to support heavy loads in various soil conditions.  And our compact installation machinery can access some of the most difficult terrains, without disruption to your property.

Manufactured Home

One of the earlier – and still-popular – alternative dwelling options is the “Manufactured Home”, commonly known as a “Mobile Home” prior to 1976.  Manufactured Homes typically do not have a permanent foundation and are essentially characterized by the absence of a basement.  However, once transported to their location the body/framework can be placed on a foundation.  A Techno Metal Post foundation will provide a long-lasting, strong and stable base for Manufactured Homes.  Solid and secure, our piers are guaranteed to prevent all movement, especially during frost/thaw cycles, or in cases of drought for clay soil.  And should you decide to move, we can remove the piers and relocate them to your new lot.

Techno Metal Post: Supporting Your Choices

From the ground up, guarantee your dwelling's foundation with Techno Metal Post. With our quality helical piers, our innovative technology, and our skilled engineers, you can rest assured your home – whatever housing you choose – will remain strong, stable, and secure for years to come.  Protect your home and your investment.  People are making informed choices today.  Techno Metal Post is one of them.

On November 30, 2018 back-to-back earthquakes and aftershocks (7.0 and 5.7 magnitudes) hit Anchorage, Alaska leaving behind it damaged roads, public buildings and houses.  This devastation left significant foundation and structural collapses over a wide area.  What they found in the aftermath was- structures that were built on Techno Metal Post (TMP) helical piers, were the ones that remained solid and strong.

Further down we explain how helical piers can be used to successfully repair these foundations, in order to prevent future damage.  But first, let’s understand what happened.

In many cases, the ground beneath the foundations buckled during the earthquake, and the two main causes were:

1. Soil liquefaction – this occurs when a partially or fully saturated soil, substantially loses strength in response to an applied stress (ex: tremors during an earthquake or other sudden changes in stress conditions), in which material that is ordinarily a solid behaves more like a liquid.
2. Faulty foundation footing.
3. Fill that is not properly compacted during the original construction.

Above- A foundation and surrounding soil that caved after the November earthquake in Anchorage, Alaska – notice the settlement expands beyond the footprint of the building, but not beyond the likely area of original excavation. 

How do helical piers solve this problem and prevent future foundation collapses?

Techno Metal Post foundation piers are engineered and tested to the highest quality and standards, which guarantees durability, security, and sustainability of a structure’s foundation.  Secondly, they are professionally installed, using proprietary hydraulic machinery.  And finally, the piers are screwed into the ground by our certified technicians, until the required load-bearing capacity is reached, and secure footing is found.  Only then, is it considered a ‘deep and solid foundation’.

The goal behind installing helical piers, is to bypass poor soil (such as peat, soft clay, or fill) and find denser ground to properly support the structural weight.

The exact weight a pile can support in a particular soil, has been predetermined by the engineering experts.  If more weight needs to be added, the pile is simply installed deeper into denser and more stable soil.

How did TMP helical piers perform through the January 24, 2016 and November 30, 2018 earthquakes?

After the November 2018 earthquake, TMP Alaska took elevation measurements of a recent foundation project, and saw that the house had remained leveled, and didn’t suffer any settlement during the quake.  They also checked similar projects and discovered the same result: structures supported by TMP helical piers were not affected by the quake and remained the same as the day they were installed. TMP Alaska has almost 10,000 piers installed throughout the Anchorage and Mat-Su area and have had no reports of failures.

A two-story house remained intact and the deck piers that were used, also remained stable.

In January 24, 2016, another earthquake (7.1 magnitude) rocked South Central Alaska and was felt as far north as Fairbanks.  An informal post-quake survey of TMP Alaska’s completed projects, demonstrated the confidence in our pier foundations for earthquake regions.  After the January 24 quake, there weren’t any reports of issues with collapses or other damage, due to the (more than) 20 seconds of tremors.  After inspecting many finished projects, there was no evidence of settlement, pier damage/movement, and no drywall cracking.  Several houses and cabins on the Kenai Peninsula remained fully supported by TMP piers.

House on helical piers in Big Lake, Alaska.

What do we know about helical piers and earthquakes?

While it’s known and widely accepted that helical piers perform better than traditional foundations in earthquakes, it isn't clear why that is.  Until recently, foundation piers had never gone under extensive testing during seismic events.  That changed when the University of Oklahoma’s Amy Cerato Ph.D., P.E. decided to study and test the performance of helical foundation piers subjected to earthquake loads.  She begins by mentioning the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand:

“After the series of earthquakes in 2011, the city of Christchurch was surveyed, and it was found that all buildings/infrastructure constructed on helical piles sustained minimal structural damage, however, a large majority of the condemned buildings were constructed on other foundation types. The international community has qualitative proof that helical piles perform well in earthquake prone areas, but engineers have not quantified “why” those piles are superior foundation elements, and unfortunately, helical pile use in seismically active areas within the United States remains minimal. Therefore, this project seeks to find out ‘why’ helical piles seem to behave so well in seismic regions by subjecting them to earthquake loads in the University of California – San Diego’s Large Shake Table.”

Now, through testing and actual seismic events like the ones in Alaska, Dr. Cerato’s hypothesis continues to be accurately supported: “The international community has qualitative proof that helical piles perform well in earthquake prone areas.”   

In 2016 at the University of California, San Diego (Jacobs School of Engineering), the seismic testing of helical piers was carried out, on the world's largest outdoor shake table.  The results of the tests were very positive, demonstrating what we have always believed:  Helical foundation piers remain strong and stable during seismic activity.

Dr. Cerato’s research continues and her early work indicates that her hypothesis is correct.  This helping to finally explain “why” they perform so well in earthquakes.

SOURCES

• Dr. Cerato’s study
• Dr. Cerato’s blog
• Dave Northup, TMP Alaska

OUTDOOR HAVEN ON A HILL

• Wanting to expand your living space to the great outdoors, but you live on a slope?
• Longing to create a little slice of paradise by building a deck, or extending your hillside home?
• Looking for the seamless flow from indoor-to-outdoor living, but feel restricted by your property?

There is no need to feel discouraged because your yard is on slope; you can still have a beautiful hillside deck or extension. That sloping hillside is an opportunity for a unique and stunning outdoor sanctuary. With Techno Metal Post your environment will not limit you. It is completely feasible – and simple – to build a strong, durable, and secure foundation on a backyard slope. Techno Metal Post has the ideal deck footing answers for hillside decks and other structures. That slope is no longer an obstacle; it’s an opportunity for effortless creativity and peace of mind.

INNOVATION AND EXPERIENCE

With our specialized installation equipment and our accomplished engineering department, Techno Metal Post can design a foundation for your hillside deck project or extension. Access to your property is not an obstacle. In fact, we love steep slopes. Our machines can easily maneuver around landscaping, fences, sides of buildings, and precarious hillsides, with no digging or damage to your property. Techno Metal Post’s powerful and versatile equipment is created to move around very narrow spaces, and to get through tight and hard-to-reach areas, including steep slopes.

Techno Metal Post provides expert in-house engineering services for your deck footings. Our highly skilled engineers know helical piers and will oversee the analysis and certification of your deck footings. When assessing your project, they will take into consideration lateral loads, compression loads, and uplift, and will recommend different products for different situations. They will determine which piers to use, depending on the structure that needs supporting, the soil’s characteristics, and angle of the slope.

EFFORTLESS FLOW

Whether you are a homeowner, a contractor, or both, Techno Metal Post is the perfect solution to meet your needs. As Paul Lafrance (June 3, 2017) says, “The deck ‘should’ be a true extension of the home that carries your living space from the indoors to the outdoors…We want our interior living spaces to make us feel good when we spend time in them. So why would we settle for anything less from an outdoor living space?” (“Re-Thinking the Deck with Paul Lafrance”). Techno Metal Post’s helical piers and innovative technology ensure that your investment remains strong, stable, and long-lasting, guaranteeing many happy years of easy indoor-outdoor flow.

The revolutionary technology comes from the province of Quebec, Canada, but is also used in France.  They’ve introduced the idea of screwing helical piers into the ground rather than pouring a concrete slab to support buildings and infrastructures.  In many cases, a traditional slab foundation isn’t always practical or even possible, so the introduction of piers has been a great solution for those projects.

For the urban development of Forlach, architect Sébastien Morfouasse launched an invitation to demonstrate this process.  Twenty people were present to witness how this worked: Galvanized steel helical piers, are screwed into the ground by a hydraulic machine.  The piers are driven into the ground until the load-bearing capacity is then reached.

Techno Pieux Rennes-Vannes’ Olivier Le Bigot explains, "One day was all we needed to drill the ten piers for the house".  They were installed 4 meters deep and cut between 12 to 24 inches above the ground.  Sitting atop the pier shaft is a cap or plate which supports the structure.

The house is 105 square meters on one floor and will also be supported by some retaining walls.  Soil will be placed around the house at the height of the lowest level in order to hide the piers.  Ty Coat Construction was the company that built this wooden house.

Sébastien Morfouasse the architect, has already used this technology in the past…"For this house, we wanted a slab that was as close to the upper-level ground as possible.  Because of poor soil quality, we were forced to dig very deep in order to establish a proper foundation. The idea of ​​installing piers proved to be the best option, otherwise we would have had to pour more concrete, which was too expensive.  In a situation that is not problematic, this technique is not advantageous from an economic standpoint. But from an ecological point of view, it is very smart! The day you want to remove the house, you’ll have no permanent foundation to contend with-clear area only once you remove the piers".

During the demonstration, many questions arose on the longevity and performance of the piers.  The response was, "at least one hundred years, can withstand very heavy buildings and they can be changed after their present lifespan".

Odette Odin, the future owner of the house, was present at the demonstration. Her wooden house will take shape at the beginning of this year, and she is already excited about the idea of ​​moving in. "You can have an eco-friendly townhouse", which she insists it is.  She wanted it to be environmentally friendly and that is exactly what she got.

This is what she had to say about other aspects that pleased her… "All the companies involved, support ways that are friendly not only to the environment but to the people as well.  This includes the materials used, cleanliness of the work, and that no employee carries loads over 55 pounds… "

Source : West France

Helical steel piers have become the number one solution, proposed by Techno Metal Post, when dealing with problem foundations.  Poor soil quality and ground movement can disrupt the stability of buildings, and this method of solidifying them fixes that situation.

Clément Rouchouse and Maxime Albafouille started a new business adventure, in the Rhône and Isere area within France, back in 2012.  They invested in the equipment, and began installing this specialized system, with determination. "We often get called in urgent situations, where the soil quality is not suitable to lay traditional foundations.  We work in the housing industry, but find ourselves expanding to tackle larger infrastructures.  From a traditional concrete foundation on unstable ground, to a slab cast directly onto the piers, or a wood/steel structure built atop them, Techno Metal Post’s approach suits all types of construction", says Clément Rouchouse.

From the technical standpoint, the piers are screwed into the ground until it reaches compact soil.  At the time of installation, the machines measure the torque, which determines the load bearing capacity in real time.  Steel supports are then fixed onto Techno Metal Posts’ foundation piers that support the structure.  Whether the foundation gradually settles or raises the structure (depending on ground movement), the weight is permanently transferred onto the piers.

Thanks to the dedicated and experienced engineering services, Techno Metal Post has developed a range of hydraulic machines, specialized in the installation of helical piers.  The compact and versatile equipment can access different terrain, and allows the installed piles to hold a bearing capacity of 50,625 lbs (225 kg).

"Without excavation, without laborious concrete pouring (whether permanent or temporary), this system also has a very low environmental impact. We are independent but part of the TMP network, which provides us with engineering services that are responsible for analyzing and validating all projects," adds Clément Rouchouse.  At the present time, this revolutionary system that comes from Canada, has been running for over 20 years worldwide and has a network of over 120 dealers.  Techno Metal Post is certified by the CSTB, and intends to establish a solid presence in the French region of Rhône-Alpes.

Source: Journal du bâtiment & des TP - Septembre 10-16, 2015.