Screw piles
All pile types and their advantages.
Corrosion in the ground is slow
In undisturbed natural soil there is little oxygen, so corrosion is slow. The European standard for steel piles (EN 1993-5, table 4.1) gives a thickness loss for undisturbed natural soil (sand, loam, clay) of 0.6 mm per exposed face after 50 years, and 1.2 mm after 100 years.
How we account for it
- The piles are hot-dip galvanised to ISO 1461
- We check the steel section after the corrosion allowance: the wall thickness left at the end of the service life must still be sufficient
- In made ground, peat or soil with fluctuating groundwater we choose a thicker wall or extra protection
What does the manufacturer say?
The manufacturer of our screw piles guarantees the steel for up to 100 years. In ordinary ground we count on decades, comparable to traditional foundations.
And at the end of its life?
Screw piles can be unscrewed and the steel is fully recyclable. No concrete is left in the ground.
Soiltek is a specialist contractor, not an engineering firm. We provide the manufacturer's product data and align the pile proposal with your structural engineer.
Sources: NBN EN 1993-5 (Eurocode 3, part 5: piling, table 4.1); ISO 1461; Paalupiste product information.