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Building on Sand: Helical Pile Foundations in the Indiana Dunes
Techno Metal Post Illiana
Indiana 219-200-3011 Illinois 630-631-0684
Techno Metal Post Illiana Installs (45) Helical Piles to Support a New Residence
and Retaining Wall System in Michigan City, Indiana
Building in the Indiana Dunes presents unique foundation challenges. Extensive sandy soils, changes in elevation, and varying structural demands require careful consideration of foundation design and installation.
For a new residential construction project in Michigan City, Indiana, Techno Metal Post Illiana installed (45) engineered helical piles across two distinct applications: the home's primary structural foundation and its retaining wall system. 
Supporting the Residence
The home's foundation required (30) P3 triple-helix piles, installed to an average depth of approximately 17 feet.
The piles were designed for reported capacities of 26–29 kips with a 2× safety factor. 
Throughout installation, the crew monitored hydraulic pressure as an indicator of installation torque, with readings of approximately 2,000 psi. Installation resistance was evaluated alongside the project's engineering requirements to assess pile performance.
The completed piles provided deep foundation support for the residence, working in conjunction with the home's concrete foundation system. 
Supporting the Retaining Walls
The surrounding dune terrain introduced a second foundation challenge: supporting the retaining walls required to accommodate the site's changes in elevation and sandy soils.
For this application, (15) P2 helical piles were installed to approximately 10 feet.
Unlike the P3 piles supporting the residence, the P2 piles were incorporated into the retaining wall system, addressing a different set of structural requirements within the same project.
Engineering for Challenging Ground 
One of the defining aspects of this installation was the need to accommodate two structural applications within the same sandy environment.
Pile configuration, installation depth, and installation resistance were important considerations throughout the project.
Rather than applying a uniform foundation approach, the project incorporated separate helical pile configurations appropriate to the requirements of the residence and retaining walls.
The result was a coordinated deep foundation installation designed around the site's conditions and the demands of each structure.
Project Takeaway
With (30) P3 triple-helix piles supporting the residence and (15) P2 piles serving the retaining wall system, the Michigan City project demonstrates the adaptability of engineered helical pile foundations in challenging sandy soils.
For contractors and engineers, it reinforces the importance of selecting pile configurations based on structural requirements, monitoring installation conditions, and coordinating foundation solutions across multiple applications.
October, 2026
Media Contact:
Tony Verga
Techno Metal Post Illiana
630-631-0684
Tony.Verga@technometalpost.com
