When you are investing in foundation repair, you’ll hear a lot of technical terms—”piers,” “brackets,” “piles,” and “torque.” But there is one engineering concept that determines whether your home stays level for ten years or fifty: Loading.
In the world of piering, there are two ways to support a house: Concentric and Eccentric. At Advanced Systems of NE Kansas, we exclusively use the Stratos Pier® System, which is a concentrically loaded system. Here is why that technical distinction matters for your home’s safety.
What is Eccentric Loading? (The “Bracket” Method)
Most foundation repair companies use “eccentric” loading. Imagine trying to lift a heavy box, but instead of putting your hands underneath it, you attach a bracket to the side of the box and try to lift from there.
- The Design: The pier is driven into the ground next to your foundation, and a large steel bracket “reaches over” to grab the footing.
- The Flaw: Because the weight of the house is not directly over the pier, it creates a “lever” effect. This puts immense pressure on the bracket and causes the pier to want to bend or “kick out” away from the house.
- The Risk: Over time, this offset pressure can cause the steel to fatigue, the pier to buckle, or the bracket to rotate, leading to foundation failure all over again.
What is Concentric Loading? (The “Line-of-Sight” Advantage)
The Stratos Pier® System uses concentric loading. This means the pier is driven directly underneath the center of the foundation’s footing.
- The Design: The load of the house travels in a perfectly straight “line-of-sight” through the footing and directly down the center of the pier.
- The Strength: There is no twisting, no “lever” effect, and no offset tension. The pier is simply acting as a high-strength pillar supporting the weight from directly below.
- The Stratos Difference: Our segments are comprised of high-strength mortar pre-cast inside steel sleeves, meaning they don’t just rely on a hollow pipe. They create a solid, monolithic column of support.
Why “Line-of-Sight” is the Gold Standard
Engineering is at its best when it’s simple. By keeping the load concentric, we eliminate the primary reason most piering systems fail: Shaft Buckling.
- More Power: Because we aren’t fighting physics, we can lift heavier structures with more accuracy.
- Adjustability: Our Torsion Joint allows the pier to maintain 100% contact with the footing even if the footing is un-level or tilted up to 8 degrees.
- Permanent Peace of Mind: Concentric loading allows us to offer a lifetime transferable warranty because we know the physics of the system are sound.
Don’t Settle for “Side-Load” Repairs
Your home is likely your biggest investment. Don’t trust it to a system that fights against the laws of physics. If your home is showing signs of settlement, sticking doors, or foundation cracks, it’s time to see the Stratos difference.
Get a foundation that is engineered to last. Contact Advanced Systems of NE Kansas today for a free inspection and see why concentric loading is the right choice for your home.
