FAQ
What is a ground screw – It is a hot-dip galvanized tubular steel body with a tip and partial threads and different connections on the top.
What are screw foundations used for ? Screw foundations, also known as screw-drilling piles, earth screws, ground screws, etc., replace a concrete foundation in most applications.
What kind of load do screw foundations carry ? They basically carry vertical, horizontal, tensile loads and bending moments into the ground. We calculate which ground screws are needed for which structure. The static calculation is based on bored piles.
What are the advantages of screw foundations ? They are generally cheaper than concrete foundations. They can be dismantled, meaning they can be removed again with little effort. They are sustainable, ecological. Very Co2 economical when installed and even more so when expansion becomes necessary. They last just as long as concrete foundations. One can assume a rough humanly measurable lifespan of 100 years or more. They are also safe and very effective.
Are there any other advantages? - Yes. When installing ground screws, there is no destruction of the terrain. They can also be used in impassable terrain. They are easier to transport. All foundation elements of the structure can be connected to the ground screw.
You can bridge unstable soils until you come across load-bearing layers using modular construction.
Who can install ground screws – in theory, anyone. But that's where the theory ends, because it depends on the ground and the forces when turning should not be underestimated. Therefore, you should have the installation carried out by a specialist like us. It saves you time and ultimately money and gives you security.
Which soils can screw foundations be screwed into? Screw foundations can be installed in almost all soils. The only question is under what conditions. You can also install screw foundations in rock or in a layer of humus or swamp and bridge this if there is load-bearing soil underneath. A specialist is generally necessary for this. When making our statements, we always assume that the soil class is semi-solid clay. Everything else needs to be evaluated. But this is also the case with concrete foundations. If it is justifiable, the loose soil will be removed. Now the environmental question and sustainability and the Co2 question come into play here.
Can you screw in ground screws in water - you can generally do it and it is also very durable. The necessary requirements must be observed.
Are high masts or buildings with ground screws also possible - here too, generally yes. The biggest problem is the bending moments, but these can be calculated statically and this is possible with a substructure on the screw foundation.
Who can I trust when installing ground screws - if you find the right specialist company, like us with 20 years of experience
Where do the ground screws come from – The idea is very old. But after several years of self-testing, a German company extensively marketed a range of ground screws around 2004.
The product itself is manufactured in several countries. We rely on manufacturers in the EU. For reasons of sustainability and environmental protection.
Is there building regulations approval for ground screws - no and it is not necessary. There are specifications from the manufacturer about the load capacity that can be incorporated into any statics. In borderline or special cases, pull-out and load tests are carried out directly at the installation site. You can't get better values
In our opinion, building authority approval, if it ever comes, can only relate to screwing in the screw foundations. The floor cannot be specified with a general value. This means that the specification of this point fails, as is possible, for example, with dowels and the building.
Are there load tables for ground screws - yes, there are. But we do not publish these tables because they do not answer the other questions that are important to consider.
Do the architects or structural engineers or building authorities know ground screws ? A lot has been published and advertised. There are also structural engineers who know this topic well. We don't know whether the knowledge has already reached everyone, but what we do know is that we provide you and the relevant people with your building with professional and neutral advice.
What are screw foundations used for ? Screw foundations, also known as screw-drilling piles, earth screws, ground screws, etc., replace a concrete foundation in most applications.
What kind of load do screw foundations carry ? They basically carry vertical, horizontal, tensile loads and bending moments into the ground. We calculate which ground screws are needed for which structure. The static calculation is based on bored piles.
What are the advantages of screw foundations ? They are generally cheaper than concrete foundations. They can be dismantled, meaning they can be removed again with little effort. They are sustainable, ecological. Very Co2 economical when installed and even more so when expansion becomes necessary. They last just as long as concrete foundations. One can assume a rough humanly measurable lifespan of 100 years or more. They are also safe and very effective.
Are there any other advantages? - Yes. When installing ground screws, there is no destruction of the terrain. They can also be used in impassable terrain. They are easier to transport. All foundation elements of the structure can be connected to the ground screw.
You can bridge unstable soils until you come across load-bearing layers using modular construction.
Who can install ground screws – in theory, anyone. But that's where the theory ends, because it depends on the ground and the forces when turning should not be underestimated. Therefore, you should have the installation carried out by a specialist like us. It saves you time and ultimately money and gives you security.
Which soils can screw foundations be screwed into? Screw foundations can be installed in almost all soils. The only question is under what conditions. You can also install screw foundations in rock or in a layer of humus or swamp and bridge this if there is load-bearing soil underneath. A specialist is generally necessary for this. When making our statements, we always assume that the soil class is semi-solid clay. Everything else needs to be evaluated. But this is also the case with concrete foundations. If it is justifiable, the loose soil will be removed. Now the environmental question and sustainability and the Co2 question come into play here.
Can you screw in ground screws in water - you can generally do it and it is also very durable. The necessary requirements must be observed.
Are high masts or buildings with ground screws also possible - here too, generally yes. The biggest problem is the bending moments, but these can be calculated statically and this is possible with a substructure on the screw foundation.
Who can I trust when installing ground screws - if you find the right specialist company, like us with 20 years of experience
Where do the ground screws come from – The idea is very old. But after several years of self-testing, a German company extensively marketed a range of ground screws around 2004.
The product itself is manufactured in several countries. We rely on manufacturers in the EU. For reasons of sustainability and environmental protection.
Is there building regulations approval for ground screws - no and it is not necessary. There are specifications from the manufacturer about the load capacity that can be incorporated into any statics. In borderline or special cases, pull-out and load tests are carried out directly at the installation site. You can't get better values
In our opinion, building authority approval, if it ever comes, can only relate to screwing in the screw foundations. The floor cannot be specified with a general value. This means that the specification of this point fails, as is possible, for example, with dowels and the building.
Are there load tables for ground screws - yes, there are. But we do not publish these tables because they do not answer the other questions that are important to consider.
Do the architects or structural engineers or building authorities know ground screws ? A lot has been published and advertised. There are also structural engineers who know this topic well. We don't know whether the knowledge has already reached everyone, but what we do know is that we provide you and the relevant people with your building with professional and neutral advice.