142 Helical Piles for Central Fire Fleet Improvements in California

by | Feb 26, 2024 | Helical Case Study, Helical Piles

Project Overview:
An improvement project is currently underway to modernize the existing Central California fire fleet maintenance facility. The existing structure will remain, and a new mezzanine and elevator will be added. Due to the site’s soil conditions and liquefaction concerns, additional foundation support will be needed for the proposed renovations.

SOLUTION:
The required deep foundation solution had to be installed within the confines of the existing building without causing damage to the structure. Helical piles are the perfect solution as they can be installed in a limited access environment without impacting installation efficiency.

Sunstone Construction has so far installed 60 piles for the first phase of this project. An additional 82 helical piles will be installed for the project’s second phase. The piles were designed and manufactured to meet the specific requirements of this project. The designed pile consisted of a 4.5″ diameter shaft and an 8″/10″/12″ helix configuration. They were sectioned into 7′ lengths due to the overhead restrictions, and piles in the worst of the liquefiable zone were filled with 3000 psi grout for increased rigidity.

 

LOADS:
Vertical Piles:
Compression design load: 40 Tons

Battered Piles
Compression design load: 32.5 Tons

PILE DETAIL:
Helical Pipe Pile
4.50” O.D. X 0.337” W.T. – 80 ksi
Central Shaft
8″/10”/12” Triple Helix Configuration

NUMBER OF PILES:
142

EMBEDMENT DEPTH:
49′

 

DISTRIBUTOR:
Pacific Helix Distributing

INSTALLER:
Sunstone Construction

GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Seldon & Son

 

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:
Streeter Group, INC

HELICAL ENGINEER:
Kyler Engineering

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER:
CMAG Engineering, INC