Piling is the process of installing vertical supports in the foundations of a structure to bear the weight and ensure sturdy and long-lasting foundations. Helical piles – also known as screw piles – are steel piles created in a helical or spiral pattern to allow them to be screwed into place. Screw piles offer some unique benefits when compared to traditional driven or bored piles. Here are a few interesting facts about helical piles!
Screw piles are nearly 200 years old
Helical piles were first designed by Alexander Mitchell, an Irish engineer who lived in the late 18th to 19th centuries. Mitchell’s eyesight was weak from birth but deteriorated as he aged so he could no longer read by the age of 16 and by 22 he was completely blind! Yet Mitchell designed many machines used in brickmaking before patenting the screw pile in 1833, the invention which would see his fame cemented.
Originally used for nautical purposes
Mitchell’s original design for screw piles was initially used to anchor lighthouses and other structures which needed to be built on shifting sand or soft mud, like piers and bridges. Screw piles could even be adapted for use on floating structures and for deep anchoring boats.
Perfect for areas with earthquakes
Screw piles are so firmly installed into the earth that they show minimal movement in the event of seismic activity like earthquakes. Unlike traditional piles which have straight edges and can wobble in place, screw piles are resistant to these effects!
Recyclable
Screw piles are exclusively made from steel. This is in contrast to piles that are installed via a bore hole, or ones that are driven into the earth, which can both be made from concrete or wood instead. Steel is 100% recyclable and so screw piles can be reused and recycled, making them an environmentally friendly option.
Quick and quiet to install
Due to their nature, screw piles produce less sound and vibrations during the installation process. There need be no holes drilled or huge driving machines pounding piles into the earth. Screw piles can be installed with minimal disruption in residential areas, and this also extends to removing the piles! Removing steel screw piles is much easier and simpler than removing wooden driven or cast in-situ concrete piles!
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