frequently asked questionsFAQ's

The screw pile is wound into the ground. Once the target depth is reached and the correct installation torque is achieved the screw remains in place and is filled with a cement grout. Screw piles allow you to install a new structure close to existing structures.

For more information, costings and to requestion a quotation, please call 01692 538000 or email enquiries@screwpilesltd.co.uk.

Screw piles and helical anchors are normally installed with a mini-excavator equipped with a low-speed high torque hydraulic drill head. Smaller capacity screw piles in difficult access situations can be installed using hand-held equipment. Installation is fast and inexpensive. Typically only an operator and one assistant are needed.

Installation speed of 6 to 10 rpm. Depending on the extension section being used, our team can attach a pipe or square-shaft extension in about a minute, a 6M installation should take no more than 30 minutes to install.

For more information, costings and to requestion a quotation, please call 01692 538000 or email enquiries@screwpilesltd.co.uk.

Screw piles are unique among most other types of piling in that they can be loaded immediately after installation. There is no need to wait for concrete or grout to harden.

In most soil conditions, the ultimate capacity of screw piles and helical anchors will increase slightly with time, this is particularly true with cohesive soils. The load capacity is a function of the torque required to install the pile considered together with the design load based on the subsoil values.

Pile loadings between 75Kn and 150Kn working load are achievable with the smaller range of screw piles.

For more information, costings and to requestion a quotation, please call 01692 538000 or email enquiries@screwpilesltd.co.uk.

The installation of screw piles produces little disturbance of the site as the installation produces no soil cuttings. This keeps the site clean and soil disposal is reduced. Low noise levels and zero levels of vibration keep disturbance down.

Screw pile installation equipment has a small footprint and produces minimal disruption to adjacent structures.

For more information, costings and to requestion a quotation, please call 01692 538000 or email enquiries@screwpilesltd.co.uk.

Screw piles and helical anchors use high quality recycled steel to in their fabrication. This conserves natural resources and energy and reduces the overall carbon footprint. Screw piles and helical anchors are especially useful for support of temporary structures since they can be removed and reused with little to no change in structural integrity.

The pile does not need to be abandoned at end of use like driven pile or drilled shaft or a grouted piles.

For more information, costings and to requestion a quotation, please call 01692 538000 or email enquiries@screwpilesltd.co.uk.

Screw pile foundations were introduced as a practical foundation system by Alexander Mitchell (1780–1868), an Irish builder and brick manufacturer. Cast iron screw piles were used extensively throughout the UK. Their uses included supporting lighthouse foundation frames and supporting over pleasure piers across the UK. Over 25 such piers have been constructed during the 19th century, including Brighton and Bournemouth.

During the 1970s, Chance anchors developed smaller diameter helical screw piles that could be installed with modern hydraulic equipment. Most screw piles today are based on solid bar or tubular shafts of up to 200mm in diameter, with double or triple helices often galvanised to offer greater protection in aggressive soils.

Screw pile foundations are used extensively across a range of industries, including road, rail and telecommunications. The benefit of using ground screw foundations is that they take less time to install than a standard concrete foundation. Less machinery is required, and this helps to keep costs low. You can also expect a lower carbon footprint, and there will be no need to remove any soil from the site. Screw pile foundations can be laid close to existing structures, and when they are no longer needed, can be removed as easily as they were installed.

For more information, costings and to requestion a quotation, please call 01692 538000 or email enquiries@screwpilesltd.co.uk.