Tackling the Impossible Beneath a High-Tech Facility
Some jobs look impossible at first glance. That was the case at a major technology facility in New Mexico. The general contractor needed cased micropiles installed in the basement. The problem? Access restrictions made micropile installation nearly impossible.
One of our clients recommended they call Ram Jack New Mexico. That call changed the entire foundation design.
When Standard Solutions Won’t Work
Micropiles were originally designed to be used in this project, but the basement layout ruled them out. The vertical loads were 26 kips per pile, easily supported by 2 7/8” helical piers. The challenge came from unusually high lateral stiffness requirements. Because helical piers are slender foundation elements with limited lateral and bending strength, the engineering team designed a custom solution to deliver the required foundation support.
An Idea That Changed the Project
Our engineering team asked a bold question: What if we could stiffen the entire pier, not just the top? The answer was a new double-wall helical pier design.
Through collaboration between project managers, in-house engineers, third-party engineers, and Ram Jack Distribution, we designed and executed a custom solution. The system used 3 ½” Threaded Connection helical piers overcased from top to bottom with 4 ½” casing, creating a highly reinforced foundation system capable of meeting both vertical and lateral demands. Our mechanic played a critical role by fabricating specialized installation tools and retrofitting an electric powered mini-excavator, and torque head to ensure safe and precise installation of these complex, design-build piers value engineered specifically for this project.
Design-Build Innovation with Custom Components
This was not an off-the-shelf solution. It was design-build engineering tailored for a unique site. Ram Jack New Mexico partnered with Ram Jack Distribution to fabricate a specialized combination of pier components to meet engineer’s specifications:
- 8/10 double helix 5-foot starters with welded casing.
- Custom bearing plates and brackets.
- 4.5” threaded casing extensions.
- Temporary thread sleeves for protection during manufacturing and installation.
This design-build approach ensured the system performed under strict structural requirements while meeting safety and durability standards.
Installing Piers in Tight, Demanding Conditions
The project site presented exceptionally challenging conditions, including confined basement spaces, deep hydro-excavated shafts, and limited access for equipment. Our team navigated these obstacles with precision, using an electric mini-excavator to maneuver in tight spaces. Torque head power was supplied through an exterior hydraulic power pack connected by hundreds of feet of hose suspended from the ceiling. Team members maintained strict safety protocols for the site even wearing fall protection harnesses when working around the deep excavation shafts.
Because the engineered design required the piers to be installed at a battered angle (tilted rather than vertical), the installation head was stabilized and continuously monitored to ensure proper alignment. Each pier was advanced at the specified angle with precise control and careful coordination. Despite the demanding environment, Ram Jack New Mexico’s crew executed flawlessly, demonstrating extraordinary skill, teamwork, and ingenuity. Their expertise ensured the complex, design-build helical piers were installed safely, accurately, and ahead of schedule, exemplifying the company’s leadership in innovative foundation solutions.
Safety, Skill, and Teamwork
This project demanded creativity from start to finish. Our crew retrofitted equipment, fabricated tools, and adapted to extreme site restrictions, all while meeting the strict safety demands of the facility. With a total of 20 piers installed, foremen Pablo and Wesley led safe, efficient work inside confined spaces. Every detail reflected our team’s commitment to safety and precision.
Thanks to coordination with the GC, site superintendent, design engineer, Ram Jack Distribution and the dedication of our crew, Ram Jack New Mexico finished ahead of schedule.
A New Future for Helical Piers
At Ram Jack New Mexico, this project was more than an installation — it was a reinvention of foundation design. By engineering and executing a custom double-wall helical pier system, our team demonstrated that helical technology can meet not only vertical demands but also the most stringent lateral stiffness requirements.
What began as an “impossible” basement installation became a proven model for future projects across the region.
With collaboration, ingenuity, and precision execution, Ram Jack New Mexico continues to push the limits of what’s possible in foundation support — delivering safe, innovative, and value-engineered solutions for today’s most complex construction challenges.
