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Safety of berths and piers on screw piles

Building piers and wharves on screw piles is a complex process that requires strict adherence to safety standards. The primary goal is to ensure structural reliability and protect users from potential risks. In this article, we'll examine the key safety measures and standards required when constructing wharves and piers on screw pile foundations. Basic Safety Standards for Piers and Wharves 1. Structural Reliability. One of the key safety standards is ensuring the reliability of the entire structure. Screw piles for foundations must be installed in compliance with all technical standards to withstand static and dynamic loads, such as the weight of people, equipment, wind, and waves. High-quality materials and precise execution of all installation stages guarantee the durability and stability of the structure. 2. Corrosion Resistance. Piers and wharves are constantly exposed to water, so it is important to use steel screw piles with an anti-corrosion coating. This extends the ...
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Why a Screw Pile Won't Drive - The Roots of the Problem

When a pile won't drive properly, the root cause is almost always the soil. But it's important to understand that not every difficult section is created equal. Sometimes a pile gets stuck in a clay lens, while other times it literally hits a boulder. To figure this out, you need to understand what exactly is preventing it from driving. Here are the main types of problematic soils: ·          Stony or bouldery soil. Underground, there may be a block, a boulder, or simply a scattering of large crushed stone. A pile won't cut into such material—it either hits the ground or goes sideways. ·          Gravel with clay. This type of soil can "chew" the pile: at first, it goes forward, then suddenly slows down. It seems like it's stuck, but in reality, there's simply not enough torque. ·          Rocky soil. In this case, a screw pile physically can't drive. It's lik...

Step-by-step instructions for installing piles

For a reliable foundation, it's important not only to select the correct pipes but also to install the screw piles correctly. This is performed only after preliminary preparation, which includes:   test soil drilling; calculations; selecting piles of the required diameter and length; preparing a site layout plan. Before installation, it's important to pay attention to the quality of the pile supports. They should be factory-made, have an anti-corrosion coating, and be made of high-grade steel. It's important to select them according to the soil characteristics and the future structure. Screw Pile Installation Methods The choice of screw pile installation method depends on financial capabilities, access roads, the location of the pile foundation, soil type, and the time of year. If access to the site is difficult or the piles are to be installed in water, the manual method is the only suitable method. In situations where the foundation needs to be installed as qu...

How to extend the lifespan of a pile foundation

Causes of Premature Pile Wear Frankly, most problems with pile foundations don't start decades later, but literally in the second or third year after installation. Why does this happen? Here are the main reasons: Corrosion and Rust Metal, both in the ground and in the air, will sooner or later begin to rust, especially if you skimped on corrosion protection. Poor paint, cheap materials, and lack of galvanization—hello, rust is on its way. Installation Errors This can include everything from distortions during screwing, incorrect depth, and crooked pile caps. If you neglect the equipment, the piles can begin to sag, move, or even "creep" out of the ground due to frost heaving. Aggressive Soils and Water If the site is damp, near groundwater, or in toxic soil (for example, containing salts or acids), piles will suffer significantly more. This requires a special approach to materials and protection. Violation of operating procedures This includes improper pip...

Concreting of screw piles

Why concrete screw piles at all? To understand whether it's necessary to concrete a screw pile, let's first understand what the process actually entails. It's simple: after the pile is screwed into the ground, concrete is poured into its shaft. It may seem like a small detail, but this pouring can significantly improve the characteristics of the pile foundation. In what cases is concrete justified? Increasing Bearing Capacity The first and most obvious advantage of concreting is increasing the bearing capacity of the pile foundation. If you're building a lightweight frame house, bathhouse, or gazebo on level and stable ground, the screw piles will easily withstand the load without any additional measures. But imagine a different situation: you're building a large two-story house from timber or brick, which places a significant load on the foundation. Or the site is challenging—peat, with a high water table, or clayey, unstable soil. This is where concrete beco...