A pier is a vertical and lateral structural support which is embedded in the ground. It can be constructed of concrete, steel, or wood.  In the Bay Area, seismic zone conditions and prevalent soil types dictate the use of piers for structural support of foundations or other structures such as retaining walls.  Steel I-Beam piers embedded in concrete are also commonly used for retaining walls. RWR is an expert in installing all types of structural support piers. Working with Geo-technical engineers and structural engineers who design and dictate the size and depth of piers, RWR is known as one of the top construction firms for installing structural piers.

Typically a concrete pier consists of a drilled hole (usually 18” or 24”) usually in excess of ten-feet deep with a cage of reinforced rebar installed, then filled with concrete. It is important the concrete pier be embedded into solid material (such as bedrock) as determined by the geo-technical engineer in charge of the project.

Under certain circumstances other piers may be available for use in the project which can be more cost-effective than concrete piers. These would include helical piers or steel pipe pile piers: RWR has expertise in installing all types of piers.

Helical piers are steel shafts with screw piles. The lead section with the helical screw provides the load and is attached to shafts (square or round) for the required length. Helical piers are excellent for driving a pier through soft material to firmer material such as bedrock. Typically helical piers are installed by screwing the lead section into the ground and attaching the necessary shafts to obtain the length. Helical piers can be used both vertically and horizontally.

Pipe pile piers - or push Piers - are pipe piers driven into the ground with a hydraulic ram until embedded into firm material such as rock or bedrock.