Why Screw Piles Outperform Traditional Foundations in Soft Ground

If you run a construction business that undertakes heavy-duty industrial projects, you should use screw piles to create foundations. You should do so especially when the soil is soft and unstable. 

Soft soil can pose many challenges for construction work. When building industrial infrastructure, such as bridges or commercial buildings, the risk of creating a foundation on soft soil is very high. In such situations, screw piles can be advantageous for you. 

At Super Iron Foundry, we have years of experience and expertise in providing reliable and effective foundation solutions. In this blog, we discuss why you should use screw piles when constructing foundations for buildings and other structures on soft soil. 

Why is Soft Soil Harmful for Construction? 

Soft soil compresses easily and does not have the capacity to bear a heavy load. If you build a foundation on soft soil, the structure you create can become highly uneven. 

Soft soil causes long-term damage to superstructures and foundations. You may have to excavate the soil extensively and carry out activities to replace the soil. All of this can cost you a lot of time and money. 

How a Screw Pile Functions in Soft Soil Conditions 

If you use helical piles to create a foundation in soft soil, you will see how well they work here. A screw is made using steel. The blades of a screw pile are helical. 

The screw piles extend deep into areas below the soft soil. These do not rely on factors like surface strength. 

The helical blades of the screw pile ensure that weight is distributed evenly across all layers of the soft soil. The foundation that is thus created is reliable. It can provide strong support for the heavy structures built over it. 

Top Reasons to Use Screw Piles for Foundations Made on Soft Soil 

The following are some of the reasons why using screw piles can be the right choice for you when creating foundations over soft soil - 

1. Can be Installed Fast 

One of the most important reasons to use screw piles when creating a foundation in soft soil is their quick installation. You do not need to spend any time curing the foundation when using screw piles. You can start your construction work as soon as you have installed them. 

You will cut your construction time by several weeks, if not months, when you use a helical foundation instead of a traditional one. It helps you to complete your construction projects efficiently. 

2. Works Well in All Site Conditions 

It does not matter what the site conditions are when you create a foundation using helical piles. These are known to work well in all types of conditions. You can adjust the pile's design and size to ensure it reaches the appropriate soil strata and creates a secure foundation. 

If you are doing construction work in an environment where soil conditions vary from one area to another, helical piles are most helpful. 

3. Can Support Heavy Structures 

If you are creating a foundation for heavy structures, such as a tall building or a warehouse, screw piles can be an excellent choice. Helical-shaped piles have the engineering design you need to make a high-rise building or a large structure, like a warehouse, stand tall even when the soil is soft and uneven. 

4. Helps You Avoid Extensive Excavations 

You do not need much excavation if you use a screw pile to create a foundation over soft soil. A foundation that is made of deep concrete will require you to excavate for a long time. 

However, when you use a screw pile to make a foundation instead, the soil disturbance required is minimal. 

5. Saves Money and Avoids Delays 

The money you have to spend on cleaning the site area when laying a deep concrete foundation is something you can avoid when using a screw pile You do not have to pay any money to prepare the site area for construction, either. 

Cost and other burdens are issues you can easily avoid when building structures with a helical foundation.  You don't have to worry about financial delays holding you back from completing the project.  You can instead complete the project on time or before time. 

6. Great Load-Bearing Potential 

If you use a screw pile made of fabricated mild steel to create a foundation for a high-rise building or any heavy infrastructure, you will find how easily it can support structural loads. The screw piles can withstand structural loads as soon as they are installed. This is possible even if the surface soil is of poor quality. 

Conclusion 

To conclude, using screw piles for foundations in soft soil for large-scale infrastructure can be a good idea. A helical foundation can stand firm even when the soil is unstable and soft. 

At Super Iron Foundry, we use practical knowledge and industry-based insights to create foundations of the highest standards for all our clients. We have years of experience in providing high-quality engineering solutions and helping our customers create stable, secure foundations for heavy buildings. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Are screw piles likely to rust?

Since a screw pile is made of materials like steel, it can sometimes corrode when exposed to moisture. Some helical piles are made of galvanised steel. These are more likely to resist rust formation. 

Are screw piles more expensive than concrete? 

Using a screw pile is more affordable than building a concrete foundation. This is because creating a foundation using screw piles helps you to save time on installation. It also saves time on excavation and requires less cleanup than when making a concrete foundation. 

Are screw piles capable of going really deep?

Since you can extend screw piles in two-metre lengths, these are capable of going really deep. You need to choose the depth required to make a foundation for the particular construction project you are engaged in, and use a screw pile accordingly. 

How can I install a screw pile?

It is so easy to install a screw pile that you can sometimes do this even by hand. While most construction businesses use hydraulic equipment to install this, you can do it by hand if you have an installation kit. 

How does a screw pile work?

A screw pile has a helix that makes it easy to drive into the ground. It moves into the ground in the same way that a screw does. However, it does not disturb the soil or make noise as it goes into the ground. Once the screw pile reaches the depth of the soil substrate that it is supposed to, it remains firmly in place.