We’ve all experienced the dread of getting a measurement wrong. Whether you thought you miscalculated how much mulch you needed for the veggie patch and bought five times the amount, or you put way too much baking soda in a batch of cupcakes, mismeasurements happen all the time – and usually, they’re no big deal. But when we’re talking about the depth of screw piles in your foundation, this is definitely one measurement we can’t afford to get wrong. It’s good, then, that you’re asking how deep screw piles need to go. Let’s find out!
The answer:
The answer is, there’s no definitive answer to this question. While the minimum depth is usually 3m, there are plenty of exceptions. Where working height is an issue, screw piles can be installed in 1m sections and where greater depth is required, they can be fitted right up to 6m single lengths. So, what influences the necessary depth of screw piles?
Consistency of soil
The consistency of your soil is one of the first things that determines how deep screw piles need to go. If you’re building on a block of land with soil that has a high moisture content, contaminates, or a high water table, then your screw piles need to go deeper than usual. Basically, they need to go as deep as necessary until they hit firm soil, ensuring that they’re deeply rooted and can support the foundation.
Vertical load
The vertical load is another factor that influences how deep screw piles need to go. The relationship between vertical load and screw pile depth is a pretty obvious one: the greater the vertical load, the deeper your screw piles will need to go. This is because your screw piles will need to support a heavier mass and therefore need to be drilled deeper in order to achieve that. A leading team of foundation construction experts like Techniblock, for example, can reach depths of a mighty 36m if the vertical load and soil depth requires it.
Get a soil report
The best thing to do if you’re trying to work out the screw pile depth for your block of land is to get a soil report. This clearly shows the moisture content and consistency of the soil, allowing foundation construction companies to see what they’re working with. From here, they’ll be able to tell you how deep your screw piles need to go and can set to work immediately!
Want to learn more about the depth of your screw piles? Get in touch with Melbourne’s foundation specialists at Techniblock. They’re experts in foundation construction and have the skills and knowledge to build the strongest foundation possible. Get your home or commercial building construction on the right track by giving it the gift of a solid foundation – call up the team at Techniblock today.