With ever-increasing concern over the lasting impact of human construction on the environment, construction firms are looking for environmentally friendly construction methods that are also durable and cost-effective. As the construction industry expands in response to the increasing need for more buildings all over the globe, construction firms are looking to new and innovative systems to provide lasting, eco-friendly foundations for new buildings. In particular, helical pile or screw pile foundation systems are gaining favor amongst eco-conscious construction companies.
The Impact Of Traditional Foundations
Concrete foundations have been a mainstay for construction firms for decades. Concrete is valued for its low cost, and generally, many firms can mix and produce their own concrete on site. While concrete may be a cost-effective way to lay a foundation for a building, that comes at a cost to the environment.
The Cons Of Concrete
Before the concrete foundation can even be laid, construction firms have to mobilize a variety of heavy machinery. Large trucks are needed to ship the materials to the worksite. Mixers are used to create the concrete. Other machines are used to pour and level the concrete. The result is that multiple machines are brought to a worksite, packing down the soil, tearing away native grasses, and leaving a massive carbon footprint.
In addition to the environmental impact of the machinery and vehicles needed to produce a concrete foundation, there is the environmental impact of the concrete itself. Huge quantities of soil needs to be removed and shipped off-site in order to make room for the foundation. The concrete itself also impacts the environment. The concrete industry has become one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases in the world. To maintain the form and rigidity of the foundation, concrete is made using chemicals and materials that can affect the soil surrounding it.
Finally, if the foundation needs to be removed, or adjusted, this costly process has to be repeated, only adding to the environmental cost of the concrete foundation.
Helical Piles Are An Eco-Friendly Option
It’s these factors and more that encourage construction firms to turn to helical pile foundations. From a manufacturing standpoint, a helical pile requires fewer materials and less energy to produce. Because of their size, they are easy to ship to a worksite and arrive ready to be installed. There is no need for specialized equipment to prepare the helical pile once it has arrived.
Installing the helical pile can be done with machinery that is already commonly found on many worksites. Without the need for specialized machinery, there’s a lessened impact on the soil of the job site, and fewer machines expelling carbon dioxide there. Typically, installing a helical pile can be done by one machine and a small crew, meaning that less energy is expended, and costs are saved.
Finally, helical piles are a much more flexible foundation. If the foundation needs to be improved or demolished, helical piles can be readily removed from the earth, or added. In some cases, helical piles can be refurbished and re-used at other job sites.
Make Use Of Helical Piles For Your Next Construction Project
As a leading manufacturer of helical pile systems, IDEAL Foundation Systems is always pushing the envelope of foundational design. Our STELCOR® system is our latest development. Using the strength of the steel of the micropile, as well as a layer of grout, our STELCOR system is perfect for construction sites that have poor soil quality and shallow depths. The result is that our helical pile systems can support heavier weights in adverse building conditions.
Connect with IDEAL Foundation Systems today to take advantage of this cutting-edge foundation system and arrange for a quote.
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