Table of Contents
- What is Screw Piling?
- Screw Piling Projects
- How Does Screw Piling Work?
- What are Screw Piles Made From?
- Soil Types for Screw Piling
- Advantages of Screw Piling
- Screw Piling Across the UK
Last updated
4 September 2025
What is Screw Piling?
Screw piling is the method of screwing piles into soil using hydraulic machinery, creating a strong and stable foundational base without any need for excavation. This modern, efficient foundation method uses helical screw piles – steel shafts with helix-shaped plates welded to the shaft – to anchor structures into the ground.
The piles are suitable for both permanent and temporary works. Providing fast installation and minimal soil disturbance, as well as reduced vibrations and noise pollution, this piling method is ideal for projects in sensitive environments or near existing buildings. This versatile, cost-effective choice is popular across a range of sectors.
Screw Piling Projects
In the UK, screw piles are used across a wide variety of projects due to their adaptability and quick installation times. They are commonly found in:
- Residential builds – Entire houses, extensions, modular homes, and annexes can benefit from the quickness and minimal disruption of screw piling.
- Commercial developments – Existing offices and retail units may require work to be done in confined spaces, something that screw piles can help with.
- Temporary structures – Festival or other event stages, site cabins and pavilions can all utilise screw piling. As long as there is no damage, piles can be readily removed and reused.
- Marine/Waterfront – Jetties, boardwalks and piers can all utilise screw piles, especially in soft coastal soils.
Whether creating permanent screw pile foundations or temporary anchor systems for events, screw piling delivers reliable performance every time.
How Does Screw Piling Work?
Screw piling is a simple yet highly effective foundation method. The installation process involves positioning and rotating a steel shaft with one or more helical turns into the ground using the torque from a rig or excavator. This process cuts into the soil and pulls the pile downward.
The pile displaces minimal material and is driven in until it reaches a calculated torque resistance, which will correlate with the desired load capacity. This showcases an indication of performance, ensuring the screw pile foundations meet design specifications and removing all guesswork from the process.
Screw piles can carry loads immediately after installation, reducing time and cost across projects. This method can also be used to install groups of piles depending on load requirements.
What are Screw Piles Made From?
Screw piles, made from high-strength steel, provide durability and strong structural performance. They can be designed and adjusted to suit specific load types, soil conditions, and projects, making them adaptable to a wide range of needs.
These piles feature a solid steel shaft as their main structural strength, although they can sometimes be hollow. Helical plates or spirals are then welded onto the shaft, designed to cut into and grip the soil with ease. In some cases, piles are constructed with extension shafts, enabling them to reach greater depths when required.
They can also often feature corrosion protection coatings or be galvanised to extend their lifespan in aggressive soils or marine environments.
Soil Types for Screw Piling
Screw piling works well across a range of soil conditions, including:
- Soft clay – The helical plates anchor securely in soft clays, while causing minimal soil disturbance.
- Loose sands – The helical design of screw piles creates strong bearing surfaces in loose sands, helping to improve stability.
- Mixed soils – The screw action of these piles allows for penetration across a variety of soil layers.
- Alluvial or coastal deposits – Helical screw piles cut through soft layers and anchor into more stable material, providing reliable support without excessive excavation.
In cases where there are very dense gravels or bedrock, these materials can limit penetration. Pre-drilling or alternative foundation methods may be required in these instances.
Advantages of Screw Piling
Screw pile foundations offer a range of benefits, making them a versatile choice across several industries. Key advantages include:
- Enables fast installation with minimal site preparation and no curing period.
- Provides immediate load-bearing, allowing structures to be built on the same day.
- Offers flexibility, suitable across a variety of soil types, sites, and projects.
- Improves cost-efficiency compared to other foundation forms.
- Reduces environmental impact and supports sustainability through low vibration, minimal noise, limited soil displacement, and the ability to remove and reuse piles for temporary projects.
At Aarsleff, sustainability is at the heart of every project, ensuring our solutions meet both engineering and environmental goals.
Screw Piling Across the UK
At Aarsleff, we offer screw piling solutions across the United Kingdom. Our expert advice and work cover a range of requirements, serving clients in events, commercial, and marine sectors.
From minimal space work requiring vibration control to marine environments demanding piling tailored to specific soils, we cater to the diverse requirements of each project.
Need help with an ongoing project or looking for a quote for future works? Get in touch with us today.
Close
