Modern Russian construction is distinguished by the massive introduction of advanced technologies developed both in our country and abroad. One of the best inventions in the field of design and construction of buildings is considered to be a pile-screw foundation. Such a foundation is very popular among our compatriots due to the economy of materials, as well as the speed and ease of work. This design is most widely represented in the segment of private construction, but it can also be found where lightweight buildings are constructed, such as garages, mini-offices, workshops, and service stations. Supports with screws are indispensable in areas with uneven terrain and here their advantages over objects of a similar purpose are obvious.
Main support element
Undoubtedly, the pile is an indispensable component of the presented bases and is a metal pipe with a zinc coating. The lower part of the part is equipped with a blade with a twisted configuration. The main differences between such piles are their length and diameter.
The cost of metal rods ranges from 100 to 300 euros, depending on their size and manufacturer. In the construction market there are also inexpensive samples (50 - 70 euros), but these are, as a rule, supports of a minimum size. By the way, such piles can be installed not only where the house will be built. In some cases, we can meet them during the installation of protective structures and fences. Also in the estimate it is necessary to include covers for supports (about 35 euros), of course, if you can not do without them. Do not forget about the fasteners, namely the bolts and the set of eccentrics.
If you are not a specialist in this field, in addition to purchasing materials, you will have to fork out for the wages of the construction team. After summing up all the components of the estimate, we can find out the total amount of expenses that the foundation on turnkey screw piles will cost.
Positive characteristics
First of all, we note the advantages of the foundation on piles. First you need to mention the high bearing capacity of such a design. We all understand that the more enduring a construction object, the longer its operational period, and here everything is in order with this parameter. Also, the screw foundation fully shows all its advantages on any soil other than rocky.
Very often, when installing a support base on metal piles, it is not necessary to attract special technical means and equipment, which can also be attributed to pluses. Attracted by developers is the fact that this type of foundation can be performed at any time of the year, even in winter. As you can see, the advantages of such a solution are obvious, but does it have any disadvantages?
Design flaws
The disadvantages of the pile-screw foundation are manifested where the soils are uneven, since in such an area the pile bases undergo shrinkage. Also, the metal is susceptible to corrosion, which negatively affects its strength. To protect the building from such risks and minimize such shortcomings, it is recommended to purchase expensive supporting elements or process them with special protective equipment, and this entails additional costs.
Experienced builders of the old school note that, despite all the advantages of screw foundations, they are quite young and their operational properties are not fully understood. Distrust of a fairly new technology is debatable, but it cannot be denied. In fact, everything is not so bad and the disadvantages significantly lose to the positive sides of such products. If the installation is done correctly and the structures are provided with competent service, the piles will last you for decades.
With a careless and amateurish approach to work, even expensive and massive pillars or a strip foundation will be ordered to live long, if they have obvious and undeniable advantages. In most cases, difficulties can overtake you where unscrupulous builders take up work, and there is absolutely nothing to do with the materials, because they are manufactured and tested by manufacturers of a serious reputation to the new generation standards.
Construction stages
Like any building structure, the pile-screw foundation is mounted in stages in a certain order:
- Site planning for installation of the base.
- Fixing the base element of the support.
- Installation of other parts included in the plan.
- Measurement and cutting of metal poles according to the design level.
- Securing the heads.
- Tying with channels or bars.
Very often, the installation of screw bases is carried out using special equipment, through which the products are screwed into their seats. In fact, such equipment in its technical and operational characteristics is similar to that which holes are made in wood and concrete, only here we are dealing with massive piles. A special machine can be completely replaced with a screwdriver. This tool relates to manual equipment, respectively, it costs less. It is not necessary to be a highly skilled specialist in order to install a pile element with his help in a few minutes, and this is its pluses.
Installation process
The screw foundation is characterized in that its supports are installed strictly vertically. In order for this requirement to be fully complied with, it is necessary to use the construction level. If you begin construction on a site with underground utilities, we advise you to acquire special equipment that detects cables and pipes hidden in the ground.
In addition to the basic tools, additional ones may be required, such as adapters and bushings used to fix the wooden beams. Do not forget about the kit, which reduces the diametric value, the terminal ring, clamp. Most of these parts are attached by the manufacturer to the basic elements of the foundation, so you do not need to purchase them separately, and this is also a kind of advantage.
Now a few words about the main installation process. So, the pile-screw foundation begins to be laid with the deepening of the racks in the drilled wells. Then the supports are fixed with a gravel cushion, which in some cases can be replaced with a plastic eccentric, consisting of a clamping ring and bolts.
We draw your attention to the fact that high-quality piles can be reused, especially since they are dismantled as easily as they are screwed.
This may be necessary when you need to move a point of sale installed on a pile foundation or expand the boundaries of a fenced area.
Innovative Technology Product
In the modern world, rapid development of technologies and improvement of existing materials is noted, this also applies to the production of support elements of a new sample, of which a high-quality screw foundation is made. According to experts, this is an excellent prospect for the development of affordable construction. We are talking about pile designs with a forged body, having a conical shape and understaffed with a galvanized spiral.. The main advantages of such supports are their anti-corrosion properties and the absence of the need for additional devices for their installation. Supernova cone piles do not need to be trimmed to achieve the required length.
Pile base calculation
For a competent calculation of this foundation, it is necessary to take into account some points:
- soil composition;
- groundwater depth and freezing point;
- weight of the future building;
- the difference in landscape height at the places of installation of supports.
It will be quite difficult to do such work independently, so you often have to resort to the help of qualified designers who will take into account all the shortcomings of the site and, based on the data received, will design a reliable foundation to guarantee the durability of the new building.