Using ABCDeck is free !!!

Did you know that there is an application to calculate the number of helical piles needed to build your own deck? It's called ABCDeck. This website allows you to plan the construction and lists the materials required, to help build your deck using Techno Metal Post.

 

How to use this tool?

1. Click on the ABCDeck link (http://abcdeckapp.com) ;
2. Register ;
3. Answer three simple questions (height, length and width of your deck) ;
4. Follow the steps in the application ;

 

Key features:

• Rectangular shaped deck attached to the house.
• Users will get a list of material with the exact dimensions of all pieces.
• The maximum size accepted for a patio is 16 'x 16'.
• The patios are kept in your client account for review if needed.
• There are numerous links to the Techno Metal Post website to allow users to understand the advantages of using helical piles as deck footings and finding a certified Techno Metal Post installer near you.

Helical piles are used regularly in the construction industry for the manufacture of foundations. They are used to support the load-bearing capacity of very heavy materials. Depending on the type of soil and the type of structure, helical piles are chosen to support the desired weight. The helical piles strengthen the concrete structure, rendering it durable for many years.

 

What about helical piles for a ground beam ?

It is well known that a concrete ground beam is used quite often for the foundation of light buildings when the bearing capacity of the ground is good at low depth (0 cm to 90 cm). Unfortunately, it may happen that some building sites are made up of ground layers of a lesser bearing capacity. In this case, a Techno Metal Post may be the best solution in order to avoid

• Digging too much
• Managing soil excavation and transport
• Trench water pumping

 

Why are they used in ground beams?

Techno Metal Post helical piles may be the best “friend” for concrete ground beam contractors.

If the ground conditions require to build the foundation deeper than one meter because of low bearing capacity of the soil, presence of clay or a high-water table, our helical pile is the best solution to ensure that the foundation of the construction will bear on a proper soil with the appropriate bearing capacity.

Our specialized machine will install the Techno Metal Post by screwing it in the ground and by reading the ground bearing capacity, the installation is completed to the correct depth and required bearing capacity. Simple and efficient!

Once the pile installation is complete, our certified installer will cut off the top of the steel shaft to the correct height and install a top plate which makes it possible to unite/solidify the Techno Metal Post with the concrete ground beam.

 

How does the helical pile work?

Once the concrete ground beam has been joined to our helical pile, the cumulated live and dead loads will be transferred to the depth and layer with the relevant bearing capacity. This way, the building may be assembled on the concrete ground beam as usual. Techno Metal Posts are a prefabricated foundation solution made of steel and screwed into the ground. They consist of:

• a load-bearing element at the head (top plate), in the form of different base plate models for connection to the supported structure;
• a central shaft of circular cross-section which is transferring the loads from the top plate to the helical blade;
• one (or more helical blades or helix) welded near the base of the shaft which is the bearing base of the pile

Under the effect of screwing, the helix penetrates the soil and practically no material is rejected. The shaft of the Techno Metal Posts is extended if necessary, using welded extensions down to the desired level in the bearing layer of ground. The size of the shafts and the helical blades are designed according to the ground conditions and the load to be supported by our engineering services.

 

Advantages of using helical piles for a ground beam

 

Simple and quick

Our helical piles are installed by our certified installers, using proprietary hydraulic machines, allowing you to immediately start building on them, without the hassles of digging and managing large trenches.

Limited excavation and low footprint

Techno Metal Post has developed a range of hydraulic machines dedicated entirely to the installation of helical piles. They are all designed to perform rigorous and reliable work. In most cases, no extra excavation is necessary for common residential projects.

Strong, solid, steadfast

Our helical piles are designed according to the highest engineering and quality standards. Thus, their capacity to support heavy loads is guaranteed. Techno Metal Posts are compliant with the UKCA, BBA and LABC certified.

Techno Metal Post helical piles are the best complementary solution for ground beam foundations. Rest assured with solid foundation! Helical piles have been used to support concrete ground beams for many years.

Contact your nearest dealer for more information and an affordable solution for your construction needs.

 

The Techno Metal Post team is proud to announce the arrival of a new dealership in the US network. Nathan Menkin recently joined our family by founding TMP of Austin. Nate decided to get into the helical pile business to offer an alternative solution to how things were currently being done in his area, i.e., pile driving in general.

Nate, who also owns ATX Lakescapes, a boat dock and boat lift remodeling company, lives in Leander, Texas with his wife Victoria and their 3 children.

Nate was born and raised in the state of Texas. He grew up with the passion of playing football and made it all the way to the NFL. He was an offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans. Later in his career Nate also played football in the Canadian Football League. His time in Canada, not to mention the bonds he made with his teammates, was a factor when it came time to reach out to Techno Metal Post about the possibility of starting a dealership.

Techno Metal Post would like to thank Nate and Victoria for their trust and confidence and the opportunity to expand the TMP technology in the state of Texas.

The entire TMP team would like to welcome them and wishes them all the best with their dealership!

When undertaking a construction project that requires a foundation, it is critical to have a finished product that is solid and secure, so the building does not settle over time.  When that structure is built on a slope, everything becomes exponentially more difficult to complete.  With that said, helical piles have simplified foundation building, not only in the design, but also in the construction process, especially for sloped construction.

 

Foundation Design

When we look at a foundation using Techno Metal Post helical piles, each pile can be customized for the specific needs of the project. The engineering that goes into the design considers compression, tension and lateral forces that will be placed on the pile once installed.  Our inhouse engineers translates these forces into the selection of the pile shaft diameter and the helix diameter, as well as the number of piles needed and the soil pressure they need to be installed within.  Our engineering team ensures a professional, code approved, and safe foundation solution for every project.  Once each pile is successfully installed, the array serves as a complete structural unit, each doing their individual job displacing the overall load.  Combined with a custom bracket system, each pile connects to the structure’s base material (which is either steel, concrete or wood) and is locked in place.  There is no digging or compaction work required with helical piles.

When you introduce a sloped surface, there are always concerns about lateral stability. Should this be a concern on your project (slope or not), a helical pile foundation can be adjusted easily to factor in this additional force. Some of the helical piles can be constructed to have a second helix.  A battered pile (which means installed at an angle into the slope) can be installed next to the vertical pile shaft and welded into the main bracket system. If the structure has a portion above the ground, then the beams and posts for the main structure can be further strengthened directly using angled bracing, as shown in the photo above.

 

Construction Process

The design of any foundation looks great in drawings but eventually it needs to be built on site.  Traditional footings and foundations require excavation, forming work, setting rebar, and pouring / curing concrete. This takes time to plan and execute and then there is the time required to achieve the strength in the concrete before loading.  When using a basic helical pile foundation design, all this is eliminated, and a single install machine and crew can complete the pile installations needed for even the toughest foundations.  Since the machines are small and compact, a small platform with adjustable posts can be used to create a flat surface for the installation crew to complete the pile installs safely.

 

How Deep do the helical piles need to go?

Concrete foundations will have a minimum depth (below the frost line for temperate climates) and be wide enough for the appropriate footing width to displace the structural load.  For helical piles, each pile will go deep enough so that the helix is locked into competent soil below.  This depth could be well below any equivalent concrete foundation as competent soil is confirmed by measuring the torque off the drill head from the installation equipment, which is then converted to a bearing capacity.  Once the desired bearing capacity is reached, the helix receives a final turn and is then locked into position.  This ensures each pile is secured in the right bearing capacity below.

 

On your next project, consider a helical pile foundation solution.  We have an extensive dealership network that is ready to deliver a solution for you!

 

Bracket with screw sets

 

 

The pile cap (fixed or adjustable) must directly bear on the shaft below. The 4 set screws shall be torqued with a minimum of 15 ft-lb of torque using a hexagonal key. For adjustable cap, a fifth set screw shall be torqued to prevent lateral movement of the threaded rod.

 

Bracket with self-drilling screws

 

 

The sleeve of the pile cap (fixed or adjustable) is attached to the shaft of the pile using self-drilling screws (a minimum of two (2) or three (3) screws is required, see below). Techno Metal Post recommends using the following product or equivalent:

• UCAN (model TRH 12114K5) self-drilling screws (or any equivalent brand);
• size 12-24;
• length 1.25” (32 mm);
• drill point #5 in galvanized steel.

The allowable uplift resistance values (lb) between the pile cap and the pile attained during the laboratory test.

 

UCAN Self-drilling Screws Allowable uplift resistance (lb) between the pile cap and the pile
Screw size	Point	Resistance for 2 screws	Resistance for 3 screws	Resistance for 4 screws
12-24	#5	2 000 lb	3 000 lb	4 000 lb

 

Please note that for decks and additions, we recommend using a minimum of 2 self-drilling screws. For piles supporting a structure with a roof with no floor (carport, pergola, etc.), we recommend using 3 self-drilling screws minimum. The connection of the supported member may limit uplift capacity.

The use of adjustable pile cap must be avoided for free-standing structures and structures with a roof (carport, pergola, etc.) given the presence of greater lateral and uplift loads.

Stephen Angus has recently joined Techno Metal Post by creating Techno Metal Cambridge! Well… to tell the truth, Stephen was already a Techno Metal post Certified Installer and, a few months ago, he decided to create his own business dedicated to the helical pile. His new dealership is based on his knowledge and experience in the construction industry. Stephen will be supported by his wife Lauren, who will assist him with the various business communications with their customers.

Caring about our planet is a priority for Techno Metal Post.  As important as durability and security, protecting and preserving the environment is always front and centre for Techno Metal Post.  Helical piles have very little impact on the environment, unlike concrete which leaves a large environmental footprint.  With no excavation required, our helical piles are installed simply, effortlessly, and cleanly without disruption to the surrounding area.

At the vanguard of the helical pile industry, Techno Metal Post’s proprietary machinery and installation process are environmentally friendly, ensuring flora and fauna remain protected and wildlife habitats and ecosystems are preserved.  Our specialized versatile installation equipment runs on biofuel and can easily access many terrains with little impact on the environment, minimal noise, and no vibration.

Techno Metal Post’s certified installers are cognizant of and trained to respect every aspect of the ecosystem. Whether it is a forest, meadow, waterfront, or your backyard, our installers make every effort to protect and preserve the surrounding area and its inhabitants.

Techno Metal Post places the environment at the forefront, honoring and respecting the natural world with avant-garde technology and an experienced network of installers worldwide.

 

Techno Metal Post is very aware the 21st Century can be characterized by a shift towards less traditional choices, ways, and products – be it how we buy and source food, our mode of transportation, rethinking our energy sources, or shopping on-line. Just as people are making informed decisions about how they consume or spend their time, they are also making informed choices about housing. The reasons are as varied as the individuals: environmental, cost, time, availability of space, efficiency, up-keep, down-sizing, prohibitive cost of real estate, aging population, multi-generational families, ideology, etc. The growing popularity of a wide variety of alternative dwelling spaces reflects these values. Whatever the reason, whatever the space, Techno Metal Post is meeting those trends, answering those needs, and reflecting those values.

Whatever housing you choose, it is only as strong and durable as the foundation it is built on. Techno Metal Post is the ideal foundation solution for any home – traditional or alternative. Your home – regardless of style or size – needs to be solid, strong, and secure. With Techno Metal Post helical piles, you can be certain it will be, and it will stand the test of time.

Thanks to our highly specialized proprietary machinery and our professionally trained and certified installers, Techno Metal Post helical piles can be quickly and effortlessly installed. With our helical pile foundation system, there is usually NO need for excavation NOR concrete. The cost of time and labour are significantly reduced as there is no digging, no hauling away of dirt, no need to protect dug-out holes from rain or waiting for an inspector, no mixing and pouring of concrete, and no time waiting for it to cure. The beauty of a Techno Metal Post foundation: helical piles are simply installed in only a few days, and you can begin building immediately and securely.

Alternative Housing Options and Techno Metal Post

The most common and traditional way of building homes is “Site-built” (or “Stick-built”). These dwellings are completely constructed on-site on permanent foundations, which can be built simply and very effectively on Techno Metal Post helical piles. Certified and proven to be durable, our piles are designed, engineered, and tested to the highest standards, ensuring they can withstand the relevant loads and conditions possible.

Many people are now also looking towards alternatives to the traditional Site-built home. A growing market is in alternative housing, namely by using “Off site” building systems:

Modular Home

Increasing in popularity is the “Modular Home”, built indoors in a controlled factory setting, and then transported (usually in two or more sections) to a final location where it is assembled on-site on a permanent foundation. With Techno Metal Post helical piles, the foundation is effortlessly installed, and you can be guaranteed a strong, stable, and durable structure for years, even in the most challenging terrains. Piles are installed in a few days, sometimes in less than one day, so you can begin assembling your home immediately. We also make sure installation complies with all municipal regulations and adheres to strict quality standards.

 

 

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Another popular alternative dwelling space, especially on the west coast of North America, is the “Accessory Dwelling Unit” (ADU). Built on a foundation, an ADU is a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot. Owned by the proprietor of the primary house, ADU’s can be attached or adjacent to the primary house; are significantly smaller than the primary house; and must be of the same architectural style as the primary house. Thanks to our compact installation machinery, we can install piles close to existing structures, pools, gardens, and decks, without disruption to your property or landscaping, and we can easily access hard-to-reach areas on your lot.

Tiny House

A growing phenomenon is the “Tiny House” movement. In many circles, “tiny house” typically refers to a small home or trailer with wheels and axles that can be moved from one location to another. While there is great debate as to what does and does not constitute a Tiny House, the 2017 International Code Council’s (ICC) official definition of a Tiny House does not limit it to wheels and can therefore include a foundation. (Note: A Tiny House is not an ADU.) Techno Metal Post helical piles are the perfect solution for a solid foundation year-round, thanks to our exclusive green sleeve which prevents the pile from moving during the frost/thaw cycles. Our installation process is effective and environmentally friendly with our specialized, compact machinery. And as with Manufactured Homes, the piles can be removed and relocated.

Studio Shed

Prefab backyard “Studio Sheds” are another housing alternative that is on the rise. Though they can be used for storage, these sheds are not the usual 4-by-4 that stores your lawnmower. Smaller than an ADU, these sheds are small modern studios, often aesthetically designed for living, home offices, creative spaces, or a quiet place of one’s own. A simple Techno Metal Post helical pile foundation is the perfect solution for these flexible backyard dwelling spaces. The prefab shed, and foundation, can be easily moved around a property thanks to the simple installation and removal process of our helical piles. And because the process is very environmentally friendly, we can even install piles for your studio shed around trees without any harm.

Shipping Container Home

“Shipping Container Homes” are also becoming more and more popular. Inexpensive and low maintenance, they are a housing alternative which is gaining ground. These 20 to 40-foot steel containers are being transformed into a vast and creative range of dwelling spaces – from simple, comfortable homes to modern, high-end housing. On a Techno Metal Post helical pile foundation, shipping container homes can be easily and securely anchored almost anywhere. Our helical piles are designed, engineered, and tested to support heavy loads in various soil conditions. And our compact installation machinery can access some of the most difficult terrains, without disruption to your property.

 

Manufactured Home

One of the earlier – and still-popular – alternative dwelling options is the “Manufactured Home”, commonly known as a “Mobile Home” prior to 1976. Manufactured Homes typically do not have a permanent foundation and are essentially characterized by their lack of a basement. However, once transported to their location the chassis can be placed on a foundation. A Techno Metal Post helical pile foundation will provide a long-lasting, strong and stable base for Manufactured Homes. Solid and secure, our piles are guaranteed to prevent all movement, especially during frost/thaw cycles, or in cases of drought for clay soil. And should you decide to move, we can remove the helical piles and relocated them to your new lot.

Techno Metal Post: Supporting Your Choices

From the ground up, guarantee your dwelling’s foundation with Techno Metal Post. With our quality helical piles, our innovative technology, and our skilled engineers, you can be sure your home – whatever housing you choose – will remain strong, stable, and secure for years to come. Protect your home and your investment. People are making informed choices today. Techno Metal Post is one of them.

Tim Durham is the newest dealer to join our Techno Metal Post family, establishing TMP Chester Springs (Chester County and Delaware County) in Pennsylvania. Tim has been a landscape designer and handyman for the past 35 years, and as someone who cares deeply for his customers, he has developed a very loyal clientele. “When a customer is happy, I’m happy; I can sleep at night.”

Tim shares a home with his wife Christine, their daughter Skyler (17), son JT (15), and Tim’s eldest son Jason (25). Jason, who is passionate about cars and currently works as a mechanic for BMW, will be helping his dad as Tim sets up TMP Chester Springs. Tim said what enjoys most is spending time with his family and working hard at what he loves: “I love to create. I love challenges and meeting new people. I love finishing projects beyond expectations.”

Tim found out about Techno Metal Post through his brother-in-law, Rick Caramanica of TMP Boylston in Massachusetts. He said Rick has been encouraging him to become a Techno Metal Post dealer for a while. Tim finally decided to take the leap and recently spent some time with Rick, learning more about TMP, and “getting my hands wet”. He said, “Landscaping is very stressful and physical. Techno Metal Post is also very physical but I have the machinery.” And looking down the road at his investment and hard work, Tim said, “I can also bring my sons into this business and leave them something when I retire.”

Tim and Jason spent the week training with us. Both said the experience was great and that “lots of questions were answered.” Tim said he especially appreciated the hands-on training. “I loved the chance to physically touch and do. The better you get, the more efficient you become – like landscaping and handywork.” Jason said, “It was great to see how complex and impressive the product is, and yet is easy to learn to use.” Both Tim and Jason talked about how welcomed they felt and the camaraderie they observed: “The thing I noticed in this place is that nobody is above anyone else. Everyone is smiling, laughing, telling jokes and still getting the job done. As soon as we walked in the door, we felt part of the family.”

As Tim embarks on this new chapter, he knows a big part of his job will be to educate people about TMP helical piles. “I’ve seen the building industry for years, and this technology is incredible. It solves so many problems. It’s also environmentally friendly, which is so important now.” He is also excited that he still gets to create and be of service to clients. “With landscape design, I created things people can enjoy for 10, 20, 50, 100 years. An addition to a house can do the same: enjoyment for customers. So, let’s see how we can make this grow!”