Empowering Indigenous Communities
Our mission to put the power back in the hands of First NationsThe Problem with Foundations
Northern Communities have used shallow foundation solutions for too long. Shallow foundations rest on top of soils near grade where frost and changes in moisture result in swelling, shrinking and heaving.
Structures built on shallow foundations often experience differential movement. The soils directly supporting foundations swell, shrink and heave with Canada’s extreme climates.
These movements in the soil are not always uniform and, sections of the foundation move differently. This movement stresses structures, causing doors to stick, windows to jam and walls to crack. In the worst cases, support beams drop, and walls separate from sagging floors.
Structures that experience settling deteriorate faster. It’s common to see homes in Canada’s Indigenous communities that have sticking doors, or no doors at all, cracked windows, and mold problems.
The Solution
The solution? Build homes on a deep piled foundation.
Many cities across Canada have made it a requirement to build new structures on piles. Why? Because anchoring a structure in soil that varies very little (or not at all) means a greatly reduced risk of structural failure or repairs due to movement.
Unfortunately, traditional deep pile foundations in a remote Northern community are expensive. Of course, it would be best to build homes on deep foundations that don’t move. But, the cost of bringing in pre-cast concrete piles, bags of cements, and long timber or steel piles is a massive challenge. Plus, the specialized equipment required to install traditional foundation piles is expensive, large, and awkward.
A Better Foundation for Indigenous Communities
Helical screw piles were invented by an engineer in the 1830’s, as a foundation solution for marine applications like boat moorings and lighthouses. For over 160 years, screw piles have been used as a deep foundation solution in remote locations with difficult soils.
Unfortunately, before modern equipment was invented, screw piles were labor-intensive to install. So, they were only used under commercial structures.
That is, until hydraulics were invented in the 1950’s.
The hydraulic motor could be used to install screw piles, leaving behind the old way of using an army of workers to turn them in by hand.
Since then, screw piles have enjoyed a growing revival as an easy, reliable, and affordable foundation.
Over the past 25 years, Canada has started to utilize screw piles for residential and commercial structures. Gone are the days where you would be hard-pressed to find an engineer with experience and confidence designing foundations on helical screw piles.
A Better Foundation for Indigenous Communities
Helical screw piles were invented by an engineer in the 1830’s, as a foundation solution for marine applications like boat moorings and lighthouses. For over 160 years, screw piles have been used as a deep foundation solution in remote locations with difficult soils.
Unfortunately, before modern equipment was invented, screw piles were labor-intensive to install. So, they were only used under commercial structures.
That is, until hydraulics were invented in the 1950’s.
The hydraulic motor could be used to install screw piles, leaving behind the old way of using an army of workers to turn them in by hand.
Since then, screw piles have enjoyed a growing revival as an easy, reliable, and affordable foundation.
Over the past 25 years, Canada has started to utilize screw piles for residential and commercial structures. Gone are the days where you would be hard-pressed to find an engineer with experience and confidence designing foundations on helical screw piles.
What’s the Advantage of Screw Piles?
- Installation by versatile, relatively common, and light weight equipment
- Relationship between installation torque and weight capacity verifies the ability for the pile to support design loads
- Lightweight foundation that’s easily transported and can be stored indefinitely without spoiling
- Ability to be uninstalled for easy site remediation, or for reinstallation or recycling
Screw piles are the foundation solution for remote communities who need deep foundations, but also need to adhere to construction budgets.
VersaPile is Created
When you avoid third party contractors, you can reduce (or eliminate) inefficiencies like:
- Accommodations
- Out of town allowances
- Mobilization of crews and equipment
- Down days due to weather or other unforeseen delays
By reducing inefficiencies, your community can compete on your own projects and have a significant advantage.
VersaPile: Creating Economic Opportunity in Your Community
The first part of VersaPile’s business is installing high-quality foundations that will not heave, shift, or sink. That means no more homes without doors and structures that suffer from mold.
The second part is called First Foundations, a program that trains Indigenous contractors to install quality screw pile foundations in their community and beyond.
First Foundations helps communities create economic development right at home. Not only can local contractors help their community save money on high-quality foundations, they can sell their foundation services to neighboring communities, governments and industry.
For decades First Nations peoples have been stuck building on shallow foundations that shift and move, while paying exorbitant prices to third party contractors.
VersaPile is putting the power back in the hands of First Nations, by equipping Indigenous Communities with strong foundations that will last for generations.
