What Are Screw Piles?
Screw piles consist of hollow steel shafts with helical-shaped steel plate welded to the bottom. During installation, the screw pile is literally screwed into the ground using mechanical torsion. As it gets screwed deeper, the helical plates encounter denser, load-bearing soil strata to anchor into and support the structure above.
Soft soil poses unique challenges for construction projects, often requiring specialized foundation solutions to ensure stability and longevity. Screw piles, also known as helical piles, offer several advantages for construction on soft soil:
Advantages of Screw Piles for Soft Soil
There are several key reasons why screw piles make an ideal choice for construction projects on soft, loose or expansive soils:
· Soil Stabilization: Screw piles are designed to provide reliable stability in soft soil conditions. Their helical shape allows them to be easily and deeply screwed into the ground, creating a strong foundation that resists settling and movement. This helps to stabilize the soil and ensure the structural integrity of the building over time.
· Ease of Installation: Screw piles can be installed quickly and efficiently using hydraulic machinery, reducing labor costs and construction time compared to traditional pile foundations. Their installation process causes minimal disturbance to the surrounding soil, making them ideal for environmentally sensitive areas or sites with limited access.
· Load-Bearing Capacity: Despite their relatively small size, screw piles offer excellent load-bearing capacity. The helical shape of the piles allows them to be screwed deep into the soil, where they can support heavy loads without the need for extensive excavation or soil removal.
· Adaptability: Screw piles demonstrate remarkable adaptability and can be utilized in various soil conditions, encompassing soft, sandy, and clay soils. They are also conveniently removable and reusable, enhancing their status as a sustainable foundation solution.
· Cost-Effective: Due to their ease of installation and minimal site disturbance, screw piles are often more cost-effective than traditional foundation methods. They can help reduce overall project costs while ensuring a stable and durable foundation.
· Minimal Environmental Impact: The installation of screw piles causes minimal disturbance to the surrounding soil, reducing the project’s environmental impact. This makes them a more environmentally friendly choice compared to traditional foundations.
· Foundation Performance: The performance of screw piles in soft soil conditions is unmatched. Their helical design and installation method create a strong bond with the soil, ensuring excellent load-bearing capacity and stability. This results in a foundation that performs reliably over time, even in challenging soil conditions.
Superior Performance in Poor Soils
Deep foundations struggle, helical piles derive incredible load capacities by bypassing soft layers and anchoring firmly into dense, load-bearing soil or bedrock safely beneath. This unmatched performance in poor ground enables their use for:
- Stabilizing/underpinning existing structures
- New building foundations (residential, commercial, industrial)
- Raised working platforms, roadways and earth retention
- Mounting signage, sound walls, fencing and other ground assets
By combining high load capacities with sustainable, minimally-invasive installation practices, screw piles are rapidly becoming the go-to soft ground solution for economical, environmentally-conscious foundation construction.
Conclusion:
Screw piles are a versatile and sustainable foundation solution for construction on soft soil. Their unique design and installation method stabilize the soil, provide excellent load-bearing capacity, and minimize environmental impact. Screw piles offer advantages like ease of installation, adaptability to various soil conditions, and cost-effectiveness. Their superior performance in poor soils makes them ideal for stabilizing existing structures, building new foundations, and supporting various ground assets. Combining high load capacities with sustainable practices, screw piles are the preferred choice for economical and environmentally-conscious foundation construction.
FAQ’S
Screw piles excel in soft soil due to their helical design, which provides greater stability and load-bearing capacity compared to traditional foundations.
Yes, screw piles can be more cost-effective due to their faster installation process and minimal site disturbance, which reduces the need for extensive excavation and soil stabilization.
Yes, screw piles are a great option for such areas because they can be installed above the water table, reducing the risk of water-related issues affecting the foundation’s stability.
Screw piles are designed to be durable and low-maintenance, making them a reliable choice for construction on soft soil without the need for frequent inspections or repairs.
Screw piles require minimal excavation, reducing soil disturbance and preserving the natural habitat. They also have a smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional concrete foundations.
Leave a reply