Every successful structural engineering project begins with a solid foundation. Whether for use in residential, commercial, or industrial applications, proprietary foundation systems can be a solution to building foundation support, MSE wall and embankment support, liquefaction mitigation, and uplift resistance. Such systems, including resistance piers, tiebacks, soil screws, micropiles, custom anchoring, steel earth anchors, helical piles, and hydraulically driven piers, can reduce settlement, increase global stability, and decrease seismic deformation.

In response to a request from Structural Engineer, a number of companies provided the following information about their products. Some companies declined to participate by failing to return the questionnaire by our deadline. We apologize for inadvertent omissions. To be added to our contact list, please e-mail Jennifer Goupil, P.E., at jgoupil@zweigwhite.com.

Engineered screwpile systems are rapidly becoming a top choice for deep foundation systems around the world, according to Alpine Site Services, which manufactures and installs screwpiles for all applications. With working loads up to 200 kips and the ability to batter piles for lateral loads, the applications are limitless. Screwpiles install in a quarter of the time of other systems and are typically not impacted by weather or other site conditions, says Alpine. The company’s unique and proprietary load testing equipment along with its torque data-logging system assures that production piles are designed to meet or exceed project specifications.
Request more information

Chance Civil Construction comprises two brands of steel deep foundation systems for residential, commercial, and industrial applications: Chance Helical Piles and Atlas Resistance Piers. Both are used for remedial foundation repairs. The helical piles also are used in new foundation construction, including the Helical Pulldown Micropile, especially suited to sites with weak surface strata. Other applications for helical anchor products include tieback, soil nailing, streetlight foundations, power and telecom tower foundations, and guy anchoring.
Request more information

Manta Ray and Stingray from Foresight Products, LLC, are driven tipping-plate earth anchors for reaction of tensile loads. According to the company, the anchors are easily installed with commonly available equipment and proof testing is simultaneous with installation. The products are used as tiebacks for stabilization in new or rehabilitation construction; or they can add substantial uplift capacity, reducing or eliminating concrete requirements as part of a new structure foundation system.
Request more information

Geopier Foundation Company, Inc. (GFC), a subsidiary of Tensar International Corporation, is a specialty contractor specializing in the design and installation of rammed aggregate pier systems to provide intermediate foundation solutions. According to GFC, it provides fast, affordable, resource-friendly foundation support and soil reinforcement for transportation, commercial, and industrial structures. In business since 1989, GFC has supported more than 2,000 projects worldwide. Its local engineer network assists the project team (geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, architects, construction managers, and general contractors) to develop project-specific designs for applications, including shallow foundation support, MSE wall and embankment support, slope stabilization, floor slab support, liquefaction mitigation, and uplift control.
Request more information

Hayward Baker Inc.’s Vibro Piers are very stiff aggregate piers installed to support new shallow foundations on soft- to medium-stiff soils. A powerful down-hole vibrator rams and compacts lifts of aggregate as they are placed in the bottom of a predrilled hole. This process displaces the aggregate outwards, highly densifying both it and the surrounding soil. According to the company, the resulting aggregate pier and improved soil increases bearing capacity, reduces settlement, increases global stability, and decreases seismic deformation. Vibro Piers are used to support multistory buildings, parking garages, warehouses, retaining walls, tanks, roadway embankments, and schools.
Request more information

Ram Jack Foundation Solutions is the distributor of steel pilings and helical piers for a certified dealer network throughout the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, and Panama. Ram Jack’s more than 20 patented products and systems are the result of over 30 years of research and development. Its products have an environmentally friendly thermoplastic coating, and are used by professionals in all aspects of residential, commercial, and new construction foundation stabilization. According to Ram Jack, its products are built in the United States to precision specifications, using only high-quality American steel.
Request more information

The geometry of the SB anchor bolt is the latest development in high-capacity anchors from Simpson Strong-Tie. The smooth transition angle of the bolt places the head of the anchor in an optimum position in the concrete stem wall without creating excessive horizontal forces. This optimizes the performance of both the anchor and the footing, reducing the need for larger footings. The SB 7/8x24 is designed to maximize performance with minimum embedment. The SB 1x30 provides a pre-engineered solution for some of Simpson Strong-Tie’s larger holdowns, which exceed the capacity of SSTB anchor bolts.
Request more information

Williams Form Engineering Corporation has provided threaded steel bars and accessories for rock, soil, and concrete anchors; post tensioning systems; and concrete forming hardware systems in the construction industry for more than 85 years.
Request more information