Digga review the advantages of screw piling.

Screw piling comes with a range of advantages and their application continues to grow as we continue to build and develop marginal sites; from the instant foundations of manufactured homes and pre-engineered metal buildings to axial compression and lateral tension load supports.

There are a number of benefits to screw piling over traditional methods and we often here industry experts saying helical piling is more efficient and better for the environment. Here we dig a little bit deeper to look at some of the pros to screw piling.

• Screw piling is quick to install - providing the job brief has clearly defined the parameters effectively, screw piling can be completed efficiently. There is no requirement for cement, waiting on setting times or digging out the ground, so you can move straight onto the next one without having to hang about.

• Measuring and recording - one of the most important features of screw piling is the ability to verify the load capacity during the installation process. Screw piles are installed to a strict guideline so contractors and engineers can verify capacity for immediate loading after installation while also constantly ensure they work specifically to the job brief and spec.

• Low costs - screw piles are predominantly installed using an excavator or mini excavator fitted with an appropriately sized low speed, high torque hydraulic motor. As there is no requirement for large, specialised equipment like a shaft rig there is no need to mobilize large teams and huge equipment.

• Low noise & minimum vibrations - screw piles have such small work footings they produce minimal disruptions to adjacent structures and sensitive ground areas with minimal vibrations. They produce little to no soil cuttings so ideal at sites where soil contamination is a risk and the installation creates low noise levels so less problematic in residential areas. 

• Year round installation - there are no weather limitations with screw piling, they can be installed in wet and dry conditions. 

• Can be installed in confined spaces or remote locations - as screw piles can be fabricated as modular systems, they are ideal for limited access situations as they can be installed in sections. There is no requirement for large machinery, or huge trucks to remove soil from site or pump concrete so smaller excavators or mini excavators can be used with the appropriate screw anchor drive.

• Immediate load carrying capabilities - with no need to wait for grout drying or concrete to harden, screw piles can be loaded immediately after installation. 

• Wide range of soil and load applications - from very soft soils to dense sands and very stiff clay, design loads of piles can vary depending on the project needs. 

• Modular constructions - it is easy to extend or reduce the length of a pile needed to suit the site and design conditions because piles and anchors are fabricated in sections.*

Steve Hassett from Foundation Technologies Australia told us:

“Steel screw piles are installed at a much higher efficiently rate than bored piers; we can install over 100 screw piles in a day. They offer our clients a controlled cost solution - having no added costs for the removal of soil or concrete requirements. Steel screw piles can be installed in almost any weather conditions so we don’t get frustrated in wet weather when a bored pier has not been drilling or soil not being removed because of the wet and, screw piles don’t impact neighbours in residential applications. Once we have our piles delivered to site and our excavator is in, there are no imposing trucks turning up to remove soil from site or pump concrete through. Screw piling is an effective solution to creating a strong alternative option for foundation works and we’re fully committed to the benefits for our customers.” 

Foundation Technologies are one of the largest contractor of screw piles in Victoria and geared up to supply and install screw piles for the residential building market. Steve Hassett has an expert, direct knowledge of the screw piling industry and dedicated to providing cost effective and fully engineered solutions for his clients that will stand the test of time.

Are you in the screw piling industry or new to the market and have something to say? Let us know what you think in the comments below…

Content in this article is referenced from the following organisations:
Encyclopedia of Anchoring - Hubbell/ Chance 2012
Deep Foundation Institute (DFI), www.dfi.org
International Society for Helical Foundations (ISHF), www.helicalfoundations.org