How to build a foundation correctly

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Extension of screw piles: when and how to increase the pile length

At first glance, it seems that the pile length calculated in the design should always be sufficient. But in practice, things are a little different. Soil is a capricious material: in one place it's dense loam, while two meters away it's quicksand or peat. Therefore, when driving the pile, you have to adapt to the actual situation. The main reasons for extending piles are: 1. Not reaching the solid soil layer. When driving, the operator feels that the pile still moves easily, indicating that there is no supporting layer yet. If left untreated, the foundation may "wander" or settle. 2. Elevation differences on the site. On slopes, lower piles must be longer to ensure the foundation pad is level. 3. Drilling or calculation errors. Sometimes the designer failed to take into account soil characteristics, or site conditions have changed due to rain, backfill, or machinery use...

4 REASONS NOT TO DRIVE SCREW PILES YOURSELF

Screw piles are suitable for constructing piers and docks, terraces, gazebos, bathhouses, and utility buildings. They have sufficient load-bearing capacity for frame and wooden residential buildings. And most importantly, they can be installed independently! No preliminary excavation work or heavy construction equipment required. However, installation work requires adherence to technical regulations; failure to follow these regulations will reduce the stability, safety, and service life of the foundation. TOP MOST COMMON MISTAKES made by amateurs when installing screw pile foundations: 1. FORGETTING ABOUT SOIL SURVEY Without a comprehensive geological survey, it is impossible to calculate the optimal pile driving depth. To perform its function of transferring loads to soil layers with sufficient bearing capacity, a helical pile's blades must reach dense rock and penetrate the winter soil freezing level. If the bottom of the pile becomes suspended in loose or water-saturat...

Typical mistakes when re-installing screw piles

Even if the piles appear intact and have passed inspection, errors during reinstallation can ruin all the efforts. It's crucial to follow the proper procedures; otherwise, the foundation will be tainted, and warping or settling will begin within a few years. 1. Installation without checking the metal's condition Some contractors save time by immediately reinstalling piles without inspecting them thoroughly. This results in foundation components with corrosion or microcracks that may not withstand the load. 2. Incorrect geometry during dismantling If piles were pulled out with a crane or crowbar rather than carefully unscrewed, the blades often bend. When reinstalled, these components do not ensure firm contact with the ground, and the building may "bounce" under the load. 3. Using piles of different lengths or diameters Sometimes contractors try to combine ol...

Reuse of screw piles

When is the reuse of screw piles permitted Reusing screw piles isn't always possible, but in some cases it is. The main condition is that the pile maintains its geometry, metal integrity, and blade functionality. If these parameters are within specifications, the pile can last for several more years. Reuse is generally permitted: • Temporary structures. For example, pavilions, hangars, exhibition stands, and seasonal terraces. Such structures are often dismantled and reinstalled, making reuse of the piles entirely justified. • If dismantling is performed carefully. The pile should be unscrewed, not pulled out, otherwise the shaft may be deformed or the blade damaged. • When the pile's service life was short. If the piles have been in the ground for less than 1–2 years, the risk of corrosion and fatigue deformation is minimal. • ...