6 Screw Piling Myths – True Or False?

1. Screw piles are only for small structures – False

Screw piles are capable of handling very large structures such as multi-level high rise apartments. In the very early days of their introduction many years ago, screw piles were mostly developed for lighter weight structures, but their sound engineering principles and structural integrity make them capable of handling all manner of residential or commercial piling projects better than the competition. Larger piles with a higher tension and compression load rating are used in cases when a heavier application is called for. A quality Sydney screw piling contractor will be able to assess the most appropriate type of piles for the job at hand.

2. Screw piling is the quickest foundation type – True

This is true for a number of reasons. First, screw piling is less invasive, so it requires less clearing of your worksite. Secondly, once a screw pile is in, it is in. Unlike with concrete, there is not a long period while the foundation sets, creating a delay in construction. Thirdly, screw piling creates less mess and therefore, it naturally requires less of a time-consuming clean-up. All of these factors taken together make it highly popular among modern developers who are working to schedule. When there are so many delays, such as delays in obtaining materials for building, screw piling is one facet of construction that remains reliably on time.

3. Screw piles causes problematic vibration during construction – False

It is sometimes said that screw piles cause a lot of vibration when they go into the ground. It is true that they cause some vibration, but this is a lot more limited than some vested interests would have you believe. Screw piles are minimally disruptive and a responsible screw piling contractor will in fact always carefully assess their suitability in relation to the surrounding structures and foundations. The best modern equipment and quality screw piles are the best bet to ensure minimal vibration. It is also important to note that soil type can impact the level of vibration, with obstacles in the ground, such as hard rock, likely to be the origin of this myth.

4. Screw piles can be put in even on tight sites with limited space – True

It is surprising just how small a space screw piling machinery can fit into, both horizontally and vertically. Many times, particularly in already developed areas in Australia’s cities and regions, whichever contractor is establishing your foundations will need to gain access to tight spaces which are required to act as load-bearing locations. By allowing access to these tight spaces, you can have the assurance that a screw piling solution will ensure your building is supported in the areas where it needs support from an engineering perspective. It’s best not to make compromises with these things.

5. Screw piles loosen the ground as they go in – False

Because of the way that screw piles are designed this is not the case – and certainly not with a quality screw piling contractor such as Piling Experts. This is because appropriate construction piles for certain jobs have a genuine helix that is evenly spaced, with a continuous angle across and around the entire length of the pile. This helix is perpendicular to the shaft and because of this, it slices or ‘threads’ through the soil, rather than displacing it. Each swirl of the helix passes through the channel that is formed and, in this way, soil should not be displaced such as to loosen the structure’s hold on the ground. The best partners in construction will then confirm this with load capacity verification, an important step in a screw piling project.

6. Screw piles provide lateral support – True

It is true that screw piles do offer lateral support to a structure. This is because they are of rigid, not flexible steel, and will therefore not bend but actually tend to ‘spring’ back into their upright position if they’re able to be bent under excessive load at all. The soil will also put up resistance against screw piles and it is important to remember that screw piles reach through multiple levels and layers of soil and clay, to great depths. This said, different settings will call for different types of piles and the lateral loads of the structure in question must be considered. This is why a quality screw pile contractor will offer multiple types of piles, such as bored piles, which may offer more lateral resistance in some instances, for one because of their increased surface area.

While screw piling is the best type of foundation for many if not most building and construction projects, screw piling contractors are not all equal. If you’d like to find out more about screw piling and to work with a reliable, high-quality New South Wales piling contractor, contact Piling Experts on 0411 693 100 or info@pilingexperts.com.au today.