History of Helical Piles

From Ancient times to modern world humans have relied upon the helical pile technology to strengthen the foundation of their structure. Let’s see the history of development of helical piles.

Orginal tree house:

Switzerland ~ 4000  bc

The helical pile was used for the first time in construction by the Neolithic tribe called the “Swiss lake dwellers” who lived in today’s Switzerland. They did not use piles to strengthen their foundation, they used it to elevate their homes to protect themselves from wild animals.

Water front homes:

Italy~ 100 bc

The very famous houses in the cities of Venice and Ravenna were built on the piles 

From 100 BC to 400 AD.

Lighthouses 

England 1830

Alexander Mitchell of England revolutionized the usage of piles when he invented the screw pile which was a major improvement over the standard wooden straight pile construction type. This new metallic pile was equipped with helix-shaped blades were screwed into tbhe earth and were able to penetrate deep below the damaged soil.

Bridges

1620 B.C Tiber river, Rome

The Romans built the first bridge across the Tiber river in Rome using Timber piles. Timber piles were so effective that they also used them in the construction of first bridge across the Thames river in 60 A.D. 

Water locks

1825 New York

The water locks of the Erie Canal in New York were supported on Timber piles. Each of the locks was supported on 700 piles.

Engineering construction globally

Even today piles are used on a global scale. Mitchell’s screw piles has undergone various developments and changes and they have been improved greatly. The present foundation repair industry generally refers to the modern-day screw piles as Helical piles, because of their helices.