When is Underpinning with Screw Piles Needed?

January 23, 2023

Residential and commercial buildings require a good foundation so they can remain standing for decades. They also need to be erected on top of a solid foundation to prevent damage caused by ground movements and other damaging elements.

However, some of these buildings may still encounter issues that would require them to undergo servicing from construction companies. One of the processes that properties may have to undertake is underpinning. Underpinning is a process wherein the foundation will be strengthened with the right tools and materials. It is often carried out in new construction projects. It can also be maximised to renovate or repair a property.

Signs of a Sinking Building

One implication that a building requires underpinning is if it is already sinking. A sinking building can pose a huge threat to the property owner and the occupants since it might escalate anytime. And if things get worse, the building may suddenly collapse, leading to costly damages and numerous casualties.

Fortunately, a sinking building would give out signs that any occupant may notice and report. The presence of cracks, for instance, is often a sign of a sinking building. Cracks found around the basement windows, in the drywall, and in other parts of a property normally mean that the building is already sitting on an unstable foundation. Another sign that a building is sinking is an unlevelled floor. The infiltration of water to various parts of the property, especially on the lower grounds, is likewise a clear sign of a sinking building. 

The Underpinning Process

Underpinning generally involves the installation of new, deeper footings under an existing building. Extra concrete footings and steel screw-in piers footings can be maximised to support and stabilise a building foundation.

The underpinning process, however, takes numerous steps before it can be initiated.

If you currently own a property, you should ensure that you still have access to the construction plans of your building. These plans are vital since they can help a structural engineer and other experts formulate a plan for the underpinning process. They would often pinpoint the location and maximum loads for the screw piles they will be using for the said process.

The installation for underpinning can then be initiated by a contractor. Depending on the contractor, some may opt to excavate the ground around the foundation to the footing. The excavated areas will serve as the place for installing the piles. Once the footing is visible, a contractor may have to prepare it to receive the underpinning bracket. 

Finishing touches are then carried out by filling in the excavated areas. A landscaper can also be hired to install new plants or flowers on top of the newly covered places.

Working with Screw Piles

Screw piles can be often used to carry out underpinning.

They are often comprised of the steel “Helix” and a high-strength steel shaft. The latter is often welded on the Helix. The Helix carries the pile load in the ground when it is founded correctly at a depth. The free end of the steel shaft is then connected to the structure’s foundation elements, transferring the building loads down to the Helix.

At Helcon, we favour the Multi-turn Helix since their screw pile shaft is butt welded to the end of the Helix. This composition provides a more stable assembly for load transfer. It also has a greater load-carrying capacity than that of a split plate Helix. To know more about the advantages of Multi-turn Helix, just contact us at Helcon.

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