LIRR Rockville Centre Substation Helical Pile Case Study

March 16, 2022

Project Specs:

Location: Rockville Centre, NY
Certified Installer: FSR
Engineer of Record (EOR): Becker Engineering, P.C.
General Contractor: T. Moriarty & Sons, Inc.
Helical Pile Specifications:
- 96 MacLean Power Systems (MPS) Helical piles (27x Type 1 + 69x Type 2)
- Type 1: D6 (1.5” Round Corner Square) Lead w/ 10”, 12”, 14” Dia. Helices on a 7’ shaft & P28 (2.875” x 0.203” Pipe Shaft) Extensions
- Type 2: D10 (1.75” Round Corner Square) Lead w/ 8”, 10”, 12” Dia. Helices on a 7’ shaft w/ P35 (3.50” x 0.216” Pipe Shaft) Extensions
- Average Depth of Helical Piles: 20’
- Minimum Req’d Torque of Helical Piles: 6000 ft-lbs
Ultimate Load(s):
- 50 kips (Compression)

The MTA needed to replace an obsolete LIRR electrical substation in Rockville Centre, NY as a part of their LIRR Modernization Program. Considering the proximity of the site to active LIRR tracks, helical piles were determined to be the ideal solution to support the new substation due to their vibration free installation. FSR was contracted to install the proposed helical piles for this substation. In only three working days, FSR successfully installed 96 MPS helical piles for this new LIRR substation on time and on budget.