When are screw pile foundations not the best solution for your project?
Screw pile foundations are a technically appropriate choice for timber frame and modular buildings. However, screw piles have physical limitations.
Trying to install them in unsuitable soil or under an overly heavy building will result in a technically incorrect outcome and cause financial losses. Let’s look at the real situations where engineers recommend choosing an alternative.
Rock and rocky soil
In areas where the soil layers consist of hard dolomite or a large number of boulders, the screw pile blade cannot cut in.
What happens in this situation:
- the hydraulic motor spins the screw pile in place
- the screw pile does not reach the required depth
- the screw pile can become deformed
In such soil, specialists must be hired to build concrete foundations.
Buildings with a basement or underground parking
When planning construction with rooms below ground level, screw piles will not work technically.
Why it doesn’t work:
- screw piles only serve as vertical support points
- they do not form a wall that holds back the earth
- they do not prevent groundwater from flowing in
For underground spaces, concrete or block walls must be designed and built.
Heavy masonry buildings
Screw piles are designed for timber and light metal frames. When building from heavy blocks with reinforced concrete slabs, the load on each support point is too large.
What are the consequences:
- the weight exceeds the load-bearing capacity of the screw pile
- the foundations cannot hold the load and the building settles
For massive structures, architects choose reinforced concrete pillars or a concrete slab that distributes the heavy weight.
Conclusion
To avoid wasting money on the wrong materials, the foundation type must always be chosen based on the soil composition and the total mass of the future building.
Need a consultation about foundations? Fill out the contact form, and we will help evaluate whether screw piles are the most suitable solution for your project.
