Screw Piling Frequently Asked Questions
What are screw piles, exactly?
Screw piles are a type of deep foundation that is commonly used across many Sydney construction projects and carried out by an expert screw piling Sydney business such as the Piling Experts. A pile is a heavy stake or post driven vertically into ground to support the foundations of a structure. A screw pile is a type of pile that is made of steel and has a helix around its outside, which helps it to penetrate the ground. These helices help the screw pile to penetrate the ground at a constant pitch. Once in place, the hollow shaft is typically filled with concrete.
Is it true that screw piles reduce site disturbances?
When your screw piling contractor Sydney is installing screw piles, it is not necessary for them to displace soil. This is because the shaft of the screw pile displaces soil during the process of penetrating the ground. Unlike some other methods of foundations, this means that extensive soil does not then need to be removed from the site. This contributes to the speed of screw piling Sydney builders and construction firms are appreciative of. It is also beneficial in instances where the soil may contain contaminants that are not wanted at the surface. On a similar note, screw pile machinery causes minimal ground disturbance when compared to other machinery. This is because the pressure on the screw pile is more constant, compared to the hammering or thumping actions required for the installation of certain other types of foundation.
Can screw piles be installed in hard to reach areas?
Yes, they can. This is one of the major benefits of screw piles, particularly for tight urban sites where limited space is available either vertically or horizontally. Screw piling rigs are built to be compact for the task they have to perform, and they are capable of installing piles in settings where bored piles or driven piles and the associated machinery may not fit. This applies even when piling to a greater depth with screw piles, which underlines the versatility of screw piling technology in Sydney. The other way in which screw piles demonstrate their versatility is in the fact they are so adaptable to different types of ground conditions that may be encountered during a Sydney construction project.
How are screw piles connected to a building?
This may differ depending on the job at hand, but every quality screw piling project has geo-technical and structural analysis at its core, from a suitably experienced engineer. The precise details of the connection will depend on the project at hand. One method includes casting screw pile heads into the concrete foundations of the structure being developed. This may be further supplemented by steel reinforcement bars which protrude and are fixed within the footing of the building.
What sort of projects require or utilise screw piles?
Because of their diversity as a foundation, screw piles are utilised on a range of construction projects. This includes: screw piling for houses, screw piling for town houses, screw piling for decks, screw piling for granny flats, screw piling for apartment complexes, screw piling for accommodation, screw piling for aged care facilities, screw piling for warehouses, screw piling for supermarkets, screw piling for commercial projects, screw piling for sporting facilities, screw piling for schools, screw piling for floodlights, screw piling for signage, screw piling for carparks, and screw piling for warehouses. Whether your project is residential, commercial or industrial, Piling Experts will be able to find a solution – and for those rare instances where screw piles are not appropriate, you may wish to use a piling Sydney contractor who also offers bored piling, underpinning and other services.
Do screw piles need to be tested before, during and after installation?
Yes, screw piles need to be tested and affirmed as functional, as with any other structure that is engineered. There are various different ways to test screw piles. These include dynamic load testing for piles, static load testing for piles, and pile integrity testing of bored piles. These tests are often used to determine the pile’s bearing capacity once it has been installed. The engineering that goes on prior needs to be road tested in real life, to establish that the pile will perform consistently over time and as intended.
Why should I use screw piles for my next construction project?
The appropriate type of foundation always depends on the project, its location and the structure the foundation will support, and the best piling contractors will always give an honest and balanced assessment of the most appropriate solution. However, there are many arguments that favour screw piles. These include the speed of the installation process; the minimal mess and excavation; the ability to work across ground types and with the presence of some groundwater (meaning less dewatering); their diversity and therefore dependability for planning; and similar considerations.
If you are looking for a high-quality screw piling Sydney contractor, contact Piling Experts on 0411 693 100 or info@pilingexperts.com.au or browse our website for more information.
