Screw Pile f.a.q

Screw piles are becoming an increasingly popular foundation system for various applications because of their many advantages. Some of the advantages of screw piles are:

• Cost effective and practical alternative to traditional piles
• Rapid installation with minimal preparation work
• No concrete curing time
• No hammer noise or vibration (as with driven piles)
• Removable and reusable (great for modular structures)
• Screw anchors can be installed at any angle
• Load can be applied immediately
• Designed and engineered to suit application
• Any weather installation

The advantages of using screw piles for foundations include fast installation, minimal environmental impact, suitability for a wide range of soil types, and the ability to load the structure immediately after installation. Screw piles can also potentially be reused, use only a fraction of the construction materials required by concrete bored piers, and do not create a large amount of earth spoil (excavated material) that needs to be disposed of.

The terms “screw piles” and “screw piers” refer to the same foundation elements, however there may be regional or industry-specific variations in terminology. They both comprise of a central steel shaft with helical plates attached, allowing for efficient installation and load-bearing capacity. If there are any differences, they are likely to be subtle and dependent on local conventions or specific industry practices. In some regions or in certain professions, one term might be more commonly used than the other, but the fundamental concept and functionality are the same.

Screw piles are installed using smaller excavator-based equipment rather than large piling rigs.A hydraulic drive motor is attached to the equipment (bobcat, skid-steer, boom truck, excavator etc) and is connected to the pile with drive pins. This drive motor rotates the pile and the downward pitch of the helical plate pulls the pile into the ground, ensuring excellent structural foundations for many buildings. The helical shape of the pile provides stability and load-bearing capacity.

Screw piles come in a wide variety of sizes, for a wide variety of applications. We install piles with up to 4 helixes and lengths up to and above 40‘.

Screw piles are sometimes used to replace or reinforce damaged foundations, but their suitability depends on several factors including the type of damage to existing foundations, soil conditions, cost assessment, regulatory approval, and more. Engaging a structural engineer or foundation specialist is crucial to assess the suitability of screw piles as a solution.