What is the Difference between Push Piers and Helical Piers?

The primary difference between push piers and helical piers lies in their mechanical principles, load transfer mechanisms, and installation methods. While both systems bypass weak surface soils to reach stable strata, they do so using different techniques:

• Load Transfer Mechanism:

Helical piers function like a screw, using one or more helical bearing plates to distribute structural loads through plate-bearing and shaft friction. In contrast, push piers concentrate the load onto a single point at the pier tip, relying on end-bearing capacity at a dense soil layer or bedrock.

• Installation Method:

Helical piers are twisted into the ground using a hydraulic torque motor, providing real-time measurements of soil bearing capacity. Push piers are hydraulically driven into the soil using the weight of the structure itself as a counter-force until they reach a point of refusal.

• Soil and Application Suitability:

Helical piers are highly versatile for varied soil densities (sandy, silty, or mixed) and are often preferred for lighter residential loads or new construction due to their low vibration and fast installation. Push piers are typically chosen for heavier commercial structures where a firm bearing layer or bedrock is consistently reachable and heavy-duty underpinning is required.

• Depth and Performance:

Helical piers often achieve the required load capacity at shallower depths by engaging multiple soil layers with their plates. Push piers must be driven until they hit a truly competent stratum, which may require deeper installation depending on the local geology.