Metal Foundations FAQs

Q.	What happens when the foundation is installed in a climate where there is a freeze/thaw scenario, could the upheaval affect the integrity of the foundation install and attached structure?
A.	The MFPF is designed so that positive skin friction overcomes the downward drag created when the surrounding soil is consolidated due to natural occurrences, thereby holding the MFPF in its place. Information concerning soil conditions is gained via soil boring logs and investigation of geographical/geological considerations.

Q.	Can the MFPF be installed in a swampy-wetlands environment? What keeps the foundation from settling? Do you install pilings under the foundation?
A.	The MFPF can be installed in a wetlands environment. The same principles of design are considered as referred to in the question above. Pilings are not installed under the foundation.

Q.	How do you install the MFPF in sandy conditions? How can you keep the hole from collapsing in on itself under these circumstances?
A.	When using the Push-It Machine to install foundations, the foundation is able to auger through the soil as it is pushed/vibrated into the ground. An alternative would be the possibility of using drillers mud in order to keep the hole from collapsing in on itself as the MFPF is inserted.

Q.	What do you do about rusting?
A.	The MFPF is hot-dipped galvanized with a seventy-five year warranty by the manufacturer. Alternate coatings are also available by request to address various soil conditions and client requirements.

What about cathodic protection systems?

Cathodic protection systems can also be used but must be designed by a cathodic protection engineer. There are two main types of systems, as described in the following. The first is referred to as a sacrificial anode system, which takes the form of burying canvas bags of various weights filled with zinc powder around the perimeter of the foundation itself and connecting them together by a small gauge wire. The bags are activated by soaking them in water, which starts a chemical reaction between the zinc powder and surrounding soil. The wire, which connects to all the bags, terminates in a small access manhole at ground level connected to a terminal block. Periodic readings can be taken with an ohmmeter to see if electrical current is flowing through the wire, thus protecting the foundation by making the sacrificial anodes electrically more attractive to corrosion than the foundation. A second system takes the form of metal probes connected to each other by a wire, inserted into the ground around the perimeter of the foundation. The metal probes send an electric current through the connecting wire, thus making the probes more attractive to corrosion than the foundation. This system is very similar to effect of the sacrificial anode system.

What do you require to design a foundation?

The primary component for design would be the soil boring logs, which lists the types of soil encountered at the proposed excavation area, as well as the depths that were encountered (if underground water is an issue, water tables would also need to be noted). All information regarding the above ground structure is needed, including height, weight, base template diameter, and all loading information relating to the structure. Any information on the structure manufacturer’s recommendation for a concrete footing would also be necessary.

Q.	Will you supply the design information, (i.e. loading, overturning, uplift, etc.) of the foundation in instances where there is a need to have stamped certified drawings for an application?
A.	Original loading, overturning, uplift, etc. is provided by the customer. This information is used when designing the foundation.

Q.	How much does the foundation cost?
A.	Each MFPF is site specific and cost depends upon the structure to be attached, soil conditions, and specific design considerations relative to the foundation.

Q.	How long does it take to install the foundation?
A.	After mobilization of equipment at the site, approximately two to three hours for a small foundation (such as an ITS pole); approximately to five to six hours for a larger foundation (such as a power transmission pole).

What does it take to install the foundation?

Typical mobilization of equipment takes the form of one service truck to carry miscellaneous tools and supplies. However, this could be eliminated by a well equipped digger derrick. In the event of the use of a digger derrick, a crane may be required if the MFPF exceeded the lift capability of the digger derrick. The patented tooling package, sized relative to the foundation being installed, is the last remaining equipment needed.

What happens when you hit rock?

If the rock encountered is not significant, oftentimes the MFPF will crack through the obstruction, due to the injection pressure being applied by the hydraulic unit. If an unforeseen layer of rock is encountered, an option would be to field retrofit the foundation. In this event, the designing engineer would need to be contacted with the details of the obstructions (such as the depth of the rock encountered). This could result in field shortening the center section (pipe) of the MFPF, as well as shortening the fins in order to install and clear the obstruction and still meet the design requirements of the above ground structure. Alternately, the installer could mobilize a rock coring drill and core through the rock, however the fins would still need to be shortened. Typically, the injection pressure required to insert the MFPF would be so great that the MFPF would actually lock itself into the rock once inserted.

Q.	What happens if you push the foundation too far into the ground?
A.	The likelihood of the MFPF being inserted too far is very slim, as the insertion of the foundation is carefully monitored and the injection pressure is recorded every six to twelve inches (or more, depending on application). In the event that the foundation is inserted too far, the MFPF can be lifted back to proper elevation.

Q.	How is the final elevation checked?
A.	The insertion of the foundation is carefully monitored and the injection pressure is recorded every six to twelve inches (or more, depending on application). Final top plate elevation is determined prior to the insertion of the MFPF and the final elevation can be checked by taking a grade shot or by specifying a pre-determined elevation via an elevation grade stake or string.

Q.	If the foundation is field-altered and/or cut how do you treat the exposed metal to keep from rusting?
A.	The exposed metal is coated with a cold galvanizing compound.

How do you determine whether a foundation will need to be field-altered?

Primarily, the only situation a foundation would need to be field-altered would be an unforeseen encounter with a layer of rock that was not discovered via soil boring logs. In the event of that scenario, this could result in field shortening the center section (pipe) of the MFPF, as well as shortening the fins in order to install and clear the obstruction and still meet the design requirements of the above ground structure.

Q.	Can you reuse the foundation?
A.	Yes, the MFPF can be reused. However, liability for utilizing the MFPF in another situation or locale would be entirely upon the owner/installer, as each MFPF is designed for a specific installation under specific soil conditions and structure loads.

Q.	What about installations in areas of total fill dirt?
A.	Total fill dirt would not in and of itself present a problem as long as proper compaction of the fill was achieved. This points out the importance of soil boring logs of the proposed excavation area, so existing soil conditions can be considered in the design of the MFPF. The design of the MFPF considers factors such as positive and negative skin friction, soil consolidation, etc.

How do you adapt and/or adjust the foundation in the event of plan modifications?

If plan changes are assumed to mean site grade changes, the information could be reviewed to determine if there were any effects on the foundations. This would not be a concern unless additional grading resulted in substantial soil disturbance that could affect the design of the MFPF. If there were changes in the type of above ground structures being utilized, this would obviously entail an alternate use of the foundation and would require a re-design of the MFPF.

Q.	What are the environmental issues? Is the foundation environmentally safe?
A.	There are no known environmental issues. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available regarding the galvanized coating. The MFPF is more environmentally friendly than any concrete foundation, considering there are no large excavations, no runoff of concrete chemicals and no spoils to haul off site.

Q.	Is the product made with any hazardous materials?
A.	No hazardous materials are involved in the manufacture of the MFPF. MSDS sheets are available for the galvanized coating and are available for any special coatings requested by client.

What affects do natural disasters (such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, lighting, etc.) have on your foundation?

The MFPF is actually better suited to withstand many of these types of occurrences than typical concrete foundations. Earthquakes will not disrupt the structural integrity of the foundation; extreme wind conditions (including tornados and hurricanes) would not necessarily affect the foundation, as it is designed to handle the attached structure loads, including wind loading; flooding may have an affect on the foundation, depending on how much of the surrounding soil is washed away, but this is comparable to a typical concrete foundation. In case of the MFPF’s failure, the foundation can be quickly and easily re-designed and re-installed, with its placement being measured in hours, as opposed to weeks.

Q.	What do you do if uplift is a problem?
A.	The MFPF is designed to handle uplift by means of foundation design and by the insertion or injection pressure being far greater than the loads incurred thru uplift.

Q.	What do the fins do?
A.	Fins provide torsional stability as well as surface area to interact with positive skin friction to hold the MFPF in place.

Q.	Who patented the product?
A.	The patent holder is Gary Reinert, Sr. of Ambridge, PA.

Q.	How does your foundation compare to concrete?
A.	There are no large, open excavations to contend with, there is very little environmental impact, no spoils to haul, no waiting or 'cure' time necessary, as with concrete. The above ground structure is ready for installation as soon as the MFPF is installed.

Q.	How does the price compare to concrete?
A.	Pricing is typically lower per foundation than concrete. In addition, MFPF offer many benefits not available with concrete foundations, including quicker time to service, no continuous inspections of footings needed, minimal mobilization of equipment and manpower, less equipment needed for installation, etc.

Q.	How close together can you put the fins?
A.	The MFPF may be installed as close as necessary, in so much as the metal fins are not interfering with an adjacent MFPF or the above ground structure is spaced accordingly.

Q.	What is the delivery time for tooling?
A.	Depending on where the order is placed, and the availability of existing tooling in stock, the approximate delivery time is one to three weeks.

Q.	Do your fabricators meet American Welding Society & American Institute of Steel Construction (AWS) codes?
A.	All of our fabricators utilize and fabricate to AWS code specifications. Some fabricators are also certified by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO).

Q.	Is your fabrication shop ISO certified?
A.	All fabricators will be required to have a Quality Assurance Program that meets AISC and CE requirements.

What are your Quality Control procedures?

Quality control procedures are followed by all our fabricators. They must meet our stringent standards of construction and materials in meeting product material specifications of the American Welding Society (AWS), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). Fabricators also undergo periodic inspections by our national office.

Q.	Can I use an MFPF for a flagpole? What about stadium lighting?
A.	The MFPF can be used for a flagpole installation. The MFPF has also been used for stadium lighting and can be used in any application where an above ground structure typically calls for a concrete foundation.

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Metal Foundations FAQs