HELICAL & STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS, LLC installs structural foundation support for various clients/projects, including environmental, new construction and repair type projects. Such as house razing/new footings, retaining well construction/repair, sea walls, bulkhead, piers, cell tower installations, solar lighting field installations, bridge, walkway and ramp installations.

1. MAGNUM Informational Bulletin ISO-HAP1-12B
Helical Pile Applications in
Oil and Gas Industry
by Howard A. Perko, Ph.D., P.E.
Magnum Geo-Solutions, LLC
Copyright 2011 – Howard A. Perko, All
Rights reserved. May be distributed
and printed by express written
permission of the author only.

2. What is a Helical Pile?
Plate Cap
Helical Piles:
Extension
Coupling
Central Steel Shaft with One
or More Helix Shaped
Bearing Elements that is
Screwed Into the Ground to
Support the Loads of
Structures
Lead
Pitch
Helix
Pilot Point
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko
(a.k.a. Helical Piers, Screw
Piles, Torque Anchors, Auger
Screw Piles, Helix Piers)

3. Bearing Capacity & Sizing
Helical Piles are sized using
traditional soil mechanics:
Individual Bearing
Q=
R2(1.3cNc+ Nq)
Cylindrical Shear
Q = 2 RL(c+K tan ) +
R2(1.3cNc+ Nq)
Limit State = Cylindrical Shear
or Individual Bearing,
whichever is less.
From Perko (2009)
Helical Piles
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

4. Why Use Helical Piles?
Save Money
Easy to Transport to Remote Sites
Doesn’t Produce Drill Spoil
Minimal Site Work
Save Time
Rapid Installation
No Concrete Curing
Set Platforms Directly on Piles
Proven Technology
Invented in 1836
Appears in 2009 IBC
ISO2009 Accredited Manufacturer
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

5. Gas Compressor Pad
90 tons
Designing the foundations for vibrating machines is not as simple as dividing the
weight amongst the piles. The lifespan and maintenance cycle of compressors and
other machines is greatly diminished with improper foundation design and excessive
vibrations.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

6. Pipe Rack Foundations
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

7. Compressor Pad
Construction
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

8. Completed Compressor
Pad
Helical piles saved $100,000 per compressor pad versus conventional heavy
reinforced concrete mat. Compressors were started without incident, vibrations were
within target levels, and compressors continue to operate without flaw.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

9. Installation and Load
Tests
Load tests passed with good results. Measured 0.28 inches movement at 110 kips
design compression and tension loads. Installation was completed on budget and on
schedule.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

10. Installation Photos
MH425 helical piles installed on schedule and on budget.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

11. Installation Over Water
Installation of helical piles over water helped protect wetlands from risks of silt,
spoil, and contaminants.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

12. Use of Battered Piles
Contractor was able to replace 80 large pre-cast driven piles under this pipeline
thrust block with just 20 helical piles by incorporating batter angle to handle lateral loads.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

13. Pipeline Support
Adjustable caps were used under pipe racks so that bolting could be done instead
of welding.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

14. Limited Site Access
Helical piles installation equipment was able to access areas that drilling and pile
driving equipment could not.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

15. Platform Design
MAGNUM Patent Pending Design created by Magnum Geo-Solutions, LLC to
provide harmonic dampening and keep harmonic motion within tolerable limits.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

16. MAGNUM Quality
Many convenient features including steel plate for electrical, integrated access step,
and crane lift points. Meets NEC specifications for grounding.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

17. Platform Installation
MAGNUM Steel Platform is set in afternoon of same day as helical pile installation.
Note same excavator being used to crane 9,000 lb platform in place.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko

18. Pump Unit in Place
Old School
Pre-Cast
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko
New MAGNUM
“Concrete-Less”
Pump Platform

19. Still Going!
MAGNUM Steel Platform resists frost heave, expansive soils, settlement, and
shallow soil shifting. These foundations reduce risk of costly shut-downs.
Copyright © 2011 – Howard A. Perko