Practice Note 28 Screw Piles Guidelines For Design Construction and Installation PDF
Practice Note 28 Screw Piles Guidelines For Design Construction and Installation PDF
Practice Note 28 Screw Piles Guidelines For Design Construction and Installation PDF
nz
Practice Note 28
Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design,
Construction & Installation
Engineering Practice ISSN 1176-0907
October 2015
Preface
The purpose of the Practice Note Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation is to highlight
many critical elements of the design, installation and testing of screw piles. It provides recommendations for good
practice in New Zealand, and should be used as a technical reference to inform engineers, developers, contractors
and local authorities.
The IPENZ Engineering Practice Advisory Committee has given the lead author the task of preparing a document
to be adopted by the engineering industry that reflects a national perspective.
The Practice Note has been prepared in accordance with standard IPENZ Practice Note procedures, which includes
reporting on progress to the Engineering Practice Advisory Committee, peer review and general Membership review.
This review and reporting process ensures the delivery of a robust, good-practice technical document.
II Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
Acronyms
AS Australian Standard
D Helix Diameter
LPILE and GROUP Software program for analysing either single or pile groups under lateral loading
t Tonne
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 III
Glossary
Bearing capacity The capacity of the soil to resist load
Cohesive soil A sticky soil such as clay or clayey silt having a strength that depends on the surface tension
of capillary water
Cohesionless soils Any free-running type of soil such as sand or gravels having a strength that depends on the
friction between particles
Compression capacity The maximum amount of downward force (from the load of the structure or soil) that a screw
pile can resist before failing (may be limited by either the geotechnical capacity of the soil or
structural capacity of the pile).
Deflection Movement of the installed pile in either – or both – the lateral or vertical plane(s)
Founding layer The layer of soil in which the helix plate is seated (also called the ‘bearing layer’).
Founding level The exact place or level where the lower plate of the bearing helix sits
Installation torque The rotating force required to install the screw pile into the ground
Lateral capacity The maximum amount of horizontal force that a screw pile can resist, such as earthquake
shear loads before failing (may be limited by either the geotechnical capacity of the soil or
structural capacity of the pile).
Negative skin friction The downward movement of a pile as a result of soft or liquefiable soils producing a down
drag as they compress from an additional load. (For design purposes NSF can either be taken
either as an addition to structural capacity requirements or as a reduction in geotechnical
capacity.)
Punch through Excessive downwards deflection of the pile seat (under compression) into a weaker soil below
when the geotechnical capacity of the stronger, but relatively thin, founding layer is exceeded.
Sensitive soils Soils that have a high loss of strength following a disturbance, such as volcanic ash or highly-
weathered ignimbrite
Soil consolidation Lowering of the ground surface over time following deformation (over time) of a weak
(settlement) soil layer beneath when pore water pressures (generated after structural loading) have
dissipated.
Strength reduction factor A factor (of less than one) that provides a margin of safety to reduce the risk of failure applied
to the ultimate soil capacity or pile capacity to cover variations and uncertainties.
Tension capacity The maximum amount of upwards pulling force that a screw pile can resist before failing (may
be limited by either the geotechnical capacity of the soil or structural capacity of the pile).
True helix A helix having perfect symmetry with a uniform pitch all round and parallel leading
and trailing edges
Undrained shear strength The maximum amount of shear stress that may be placed on a cohesive soil before it yields
or fails.
IV Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
Contents
1. Introduction 1 8. Materials, Durability
2. Overview of Screw Pile Technology 2 and Manufacturing 24
2.1 What is a screw pile? 2 8.1 Durability 24
3.3 Suitability of screw piles in certain ground 9.2 Pile construction record card 27
conditions 7 10. Testing Requirements
4. Factors Influencing Screw Pile Capacity 8 and Practices 28
10.1 Purpose of testing 28
5. Geotechnical Investigation Requirements
for Screw Pile Foundations 9 10.2 General testing requirements 29
10.3 Other considerations 29
6. Geotechnical Factors in determining
Screw Pile Capacity 10 11. Producer Statements 30
6.1 Seismic considerations 11 11.1 Producer statements – pile designer 30
6.2 Compression capacity 11 11.2 Producer statements – pile contractor 30
6.2.1 Coarse grained soils 12 12. Procurement 31
6.2.2 Fine grained soils 13
Bibliography 32
6.3 Tension capacity 14
Appendix A: Considerations for
6.4 Lateral capacity 15
Geotechnical Investigations for Screw Piles 33
6.5 Installation torque and capacity 16
Appendix B: Pre-Design, Design
6.6 Vertical deflection 18
and Installation Checklist 36
6.7 Pile spacing and group effects 19
Appendix C: Technical Specification for
6.8 Strength reduction factors 19
the Design, Construction, Installation
7. Screw Pile Structural Design 20 and Certification of Screw Piles 38
7.1 General structural design requirements 20 Appendix D: Screw Pile Shaft
7.2 Assessment of loadings 20 Specification and Design 45
7.2.1 Loadings during installation 20 Appendix E: Example Screw Pile
7.2.2 In-service loads 20 Record Card 47
7.3 Screw pile components 21
7.3.1 Shaft 21
7.3.2 Helix 21
7.3.3 Connections and splices 22
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 V
1. Introduction
Screw piles are a type of foundation system now widely used in the construction industry. They can offer
significant advantages in terms of speed and ease of installation and by offering a reduction in the offsite
disposal of drilling spoil.
New Zealand has recently seen a substantial increase in their popularity, especially following the 2010/2011
earthquakes in Christchurch. The Australian Standard AS 2159 Piling Design and Installation [1] can be used as a
guideline in the design,testing and installation of screw piles and is referred to extensively in this Practice Note.
However, the lack of any published New Zealand code of practice means that significant reliance is placed on
individual practitioners to ensure that piles meet the performance requirements of each structure. An increasing
number of designers and installers find themselves having to work within a largely unregulated marketplace.
Concerns have been expressed that New Zealand might experience similar problems to those encountered in Australia
a decade ago when the evolution of screw piling technology saw large numbers of practitioners entering a market
where standards were not well defined. This lack of standards and Codes of Practice resulted in performance issues
and litigation. Adding to these concerns is the fact that any issues with screw pile designs are unlikely to present
themselves until the piles experience significant additional loadings, such as during a large seismic event.
This Practice Note highlights many critical elements of the design, certification, installation and testing of screw
piles. It provides recommendations for good practice in New Zealand, and should be used as a reference to inform
engineers, developers, contractors and local authorities.
Piletech, a specialist designer, supplier and installer of screw piles, has led the way in establishing the screw pile
market in New Zealand and has sponsored the writing of this Practice Note.
1 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
2. Overview of Screw Pile Technology
Shaft diameters range from 50mm up to 600mm and helix diameters range from 150mm up to 1200mm depending
on capacity requirements.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 2
2.2 Applications of Screw Piles
Screw piles are an option where the ground near the surface is, or has become too weak, to support a structure.
Screw piles can also be used where the shape, size and location of the structure cannot be supported by alternative
foundation methods.
New foundations
Support to new structures including:
• residential, commercial and industrial buildings
• bridges, wharves and jetties
• transmission towers and wind turbines
• transportable buildings
• signal gantries
• pipes.
Anchoring
• permanent support for new or existing retaining structures,
• slope stabilization and slip remediation (shown in Figure 2.3), particularly if it is required in a short time frame
• temporary anchoring of machinery particularly against uplift. Piles can be removed and reused.
3 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
Figure 2.2: Screw Piles used for Re-levelling and Strengthening existing Foundations after Quake Damage
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 4
2.3 How screw piles are installed
Screw piles are wound into the ground, much like a wood screw. The helices cut into the soil following a constant
pitch, as opposed to auguring through it. The helical flights and shafts are specifically shaped and designed to suit
the ground conditions.
Hydraulic powerheads are used to apply the large torque that is required to screw a screw pile into the ground.
The powerheads are fastened onto handling machines that range in size from ½ tonne Bobcats, 20 tonne Excavators,
and up to 100 tonne mast mounted crane rigs. The combination of hydraulic powerhead and handling machine
required is determined by:
• Installation torque requirements
• Torsional capacity of the shaft
• Site access limitations (height/width/clearance to obstructions)
• Soil profile and site ground conditions
• Positional tolerances.
For permanent applications once the pile has reached the target depth the shaft is typically filled with concrete.
In some cases this can increase the capacity of the pile. Embedded and protruding reinforcing, or using a top plate,
provides a connection to the building structure above.
Because screw piles can be easily installed and removed they are often used in temporary situations.
5 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
3. Advantages, Disadvantages
and Suitability of Screw Piles
During the option evaluation and detailed design stages, it is important to understand the relative advantages,
disadvantages and suitability of screw piles as pile foundations or anchors.
3.1 Advantages
• Shorter set-up and installation times that need less labour than other pile options, with some specialised
machines only requiring one certified installer
• Easy to extend and splice in-situ
• Simple to remove if required for a temporary situation with no damage to the screw pile, enabling re-use
• Possible to install in areas with poor accessibility, for example, where there is low headroom or other types of
confined spaces
• Can be installed at an inclination, primarily for anchoring slopes
• Minimal vibration and construction noise during installation compared to other pile methods – important when
putting in foundations near vibration and noise sensitive structures or underground services
• Can be installed in almost any climatic condition (only the most extreme ground temperatures or atmospheric
weather conditions will affect proper installation)
• Reduced disposal costs, particularly where ground is contaminated, due to very little spoil created by the helix
during installation
• Can be loaded (including for load testing) immediately after installation (unless concrete setting time is required
after infilling)
• Installation torque provides an indication of ground strength at each pile
• Temporary supports, such as casings, are not required in soft or unstable ground.
3.2 Disadvantages
• The lack of soil produced post-installation prevents the confirmation of founding materials
• The relatively narrow shaft diameter may compromise capacity in the event of large (seismic) lateral loads
or overturning moments
• Obstructions or hard layers may prevent embedment of the screw pile
• Soil corrosion factors may limit life (as with all buried steel piles).
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 6
3.3 Suitability of screw piles in certain ground conditions
Hard rock
Installing into hard rock can result in spin without penetration forming a void below the helix (or helices) and
displacement of material above the helix. If the hard rock cannot be penetrated, alternative solutions will need to be
found such as using high penetration heads, changing to conventional bored piles or grouting the seat of the pile toe.
Screw piles are best suited to ground conditions with gradually increasing soil strength or where there is a gradual
weathering profile at the top of the rock. In these conditions it is much more likely that the helix will be fully seated,
that is, the full face (lower surface) of the helix will be in contact with the founding layer. Where soft soils overlay hard
rock it may not be possible to fully seat the helix and there is a risk that the helix plate will buckle.
Screw piles, or indeed any other type of deep pile, are considered unsuitable for sites with the potential for major
lateral spreading (>300mm) originating from deep and thick liquefiable layers, or for sites without any dense
non-liquefiable bearing layer.
Layered soils
If weaker soils are present either immediately above or below the helix position at founding level (once installation
has been completed) installation torque values may indicate a greater pile capacity than that actually available.
Monitoring of torque during installation for the last 3D in depth prior to founding may be required to verify
the strength of the material immediately above the helix to ensure tension capacities (see Section 6.5).
Either Cone Penetrometer tests (CPT) or boreholes extending below the founding level are recommended
at critical pile locations to confirm that ground beneath the helix is competent.
Sensitive soils
Large pile deflections may occur in highly sensitive soils when resisting uplift forces. This is due to the potentially
disturbed soil matrix above the helices. In such soils the displacement tolerances of the structure to be supported will
become a critical factor in the foundation design.
7 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
4. Factors Influencing Screw Pile
Capacity
Geotechnical conditions and the structural design of the screw pile affect pile capacity. Screw piles are designed so
most of the capacity of the pile is generated through the bearing of the helix plates against the soil rather than shaft
friction. This is why ground conditions and the pile design itself are important.
A number of factors affect pile capacity. These are listed below and discussed in more detail in Section 6 (Geotechnical
Factors in Determining Screw Pile Capacity) and Section 7 (Screw Pile Structure Design):
• Types of soils and their engineering properties
• Depth, thickness and the strength of soil overlying and underlying the founding layer
• Whether the load is compression, tension, lateral or a combination
• Choice of strength reduction factors
• Screw pile design and manufacture:
• Shaft size
• Number of helices
• Size and spacing of helices
• Concrete in-filled or not
• Helix-to-shaft weld
• Quality of “true helix” form
• Pile spacing and installation angle
• Installation torque
• Structure to pile deflection tolerance
• Structure to pile connection.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 8
5. Geotechnical Investigation
Requirements for Screw Pile
Foundations
Appropriate geotechnical investigations must be carried out on all sites to determine the ground conditions and
enable identification of potential issues such as the presence of obstructions, hard rock, liquefaction, instability,
and corrosiveness of soil/groundwater.
The number of investigation locations will vary and will be greater where ground conditions are expected to be highly
variable or when there are larger, more complex foundation requirements. Any investigations for screw pile design
should extend below proposed founding depths to confirm the adequacy of the proposed founding material. See
Appendix A: Considerations for Geotechnical Investigations for Screw Piles for a summary of considerations when
determining the scope of site investigations for screw pile design.
Field classification and description of soil and rock should be undertaken in accordance with the New Zealand
Geotechnical Society (NZGS) Guideline for Field Description of Soil and Rock [2].
At the time of writing this Practice Note (October 2015) the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) and the NZGS are preparing practice advisory notes and specific guidance on geotechnical investigations.
These documents should be referred to when published.
Key Point
All projects must have adequate site specific geotechnical investigations that extend
to depths well below the proposed pile founding level.
9 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
6. Geotechnical Factors in
determining Screw Pile Capacity
Screw piles can be used in compression to support structures transferring loads through weak or liquefiable soils to
harder soils or rock, and in tension to resist uplift loads from structures and provide support to retaining structures. In
most situations the installed screw pile will have both compression and tension loads.
There are a number of key geotechnical factors that need to be taken into consideration when designing
for screw pile capacity:
• Seismic actions
• Compression capacity in coarse grained (cohesionless) and fine grained (cohesive) soils
• Tension capacity
• Lateral capacity
• Capacity derived from installation torque
• Pile deflection
• Pile spacing
• Strength reduction factors.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 10
6.1 Seismic considerations
New Zealand is a high earthquake hazard region and, as such, the effects of earthquake shear loads are an integral
consideration in the design of the built environment. Factors for effective seismic design include:
• classification of Site Subsoil Class in accordance with AS/NZS 1170 Structural Design Actions [3]
• assessment of the potential for, and effects of, liquefaction, cyclic softening, lateral spreading and land sliding.
Guidance on liquefaction assessment is given in the NZGS Guideline “Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
Practice – Module 1 – Guideline for the identification, assessment and mitigation of liquefaction hazards” [4] and
in MBIE’s ”Guidance: Repairing and rebuilding houses affected by the Canterbury Earthquakes“[5].
Residual soil strengths which affect compression capacity (Section 6.2), tension capacity (Section 6.3) and lateral
capacity (Section 6.5) of the shafts, should be assessed in accordance with the guidance in [4] and [5].
Where potentially liquefiable layers exist the suitability of screw piles will need to be assessed. Further particular
considerations needs to be given to the suitability of screw piles being used at an inclination (rake) in such ground
conditions.
Figure 6.2: Cylinder Friction Capacity and Bearing Capacity (HelixPile [6])
11 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
The primary origin of screw pile capacity is the bearing capacity of each helix plate. Where there is more than one
helix, the spacing of the helices on the shaft is fundamental to the total capacity of the screw pile. For maximum
capacity this will occur at helix spacings greater than 3D. Clayton, Basic Helical Screw Pile Design [7]).
Section 6.2.1 and 6.2.2 show how theoretical compression capacities of screw piles for coarse grained and
fine-grained soils are derived. (Theoretical capacities based on ’effective stress methods‘ as suggested below
may only apply for pile lengths of up to 20D, Tomlinson and Woodward, Pile Design and Construction [8].)
Table 6.1 describes the factors involved in deriving screw pile capacity in coarse grained soils.
The total capacity is derived by summing the capacities of all *o| can vary for different soils from 24º to 38º
the plates.
Nq is a function of embedment depth in the founding layer
Capacity should be determined using the soils 5D above and
below the helix.
1 The Influence of the bearing up the shaft needs to be taken into consideration. Only the component of the shaft capacity higher than 4D above the
highest helix should be used.
2 The base resistance is limited by the bending strength of the helix which is determined by the plate thickness, the outstands from the shaft and the
yield strength of the steel (see Section 7.3.2).
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 12
6.2.2 Fine grained soils
The theoretical ultimate capacity is derived in the same method as for coarse grained soils but some parameters are
different (see Table 6.2).
• If the liquefiable layer is directly below the proposed founding layer the reduced capacity is due to the lowered
bearing capacity generated by the helix into a weak soil
• If the liquefiable layer is above the founding layer reduced capacity will be due to negative skin friction.
To minimise the likelihood of punching it is recommended that the thickness of the founding layer beneath the lowest
helix should be at least five times the helix diameter, 5D3.
Key Point
Theoretical design capacities should be considered an upper bound unless actual
capacities are available from site specific static load testing failure.
3 It is accepted that 5D is a conservative guide and, in many cases, a minimum depth of 3D will prevent punching. It is recommended that specific
ground condition analysis is carried out if founding layer depths are less than 5D, or piles are in closely spaced groups.
13 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
6.3 Tension capacity
Tension capacity factors are similar to those discussed for compression loads but have an additional
element – a “conical” or “cone” pull-out capacity.
Cone pull-out failure occurs when shear forces are reduced to zero along the ‘failure plane’. At this critical point the
pile and some surrounding soil is pulled out in the shape of a truncated inverted cone or pyramid (see Figure 6.3).
The angle of pull-out will vary depending on soil type and is typically between 0.45 to 0.55 times the soil angle
of friction, o|.
Where tension capacity is critical to the design and given the more potentially catastrophic mode of failure, a lower
strength reduction factor is recommended.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 14
6.4 Lateral capacity
Lateral capacity-related failure mechanisms are overturning failures and translational/sliding failures. Analyses such
as Brom’s methods [9] or software such as LPILE or GROUP can be used where design for lateral loading is critical.
Some recommendations to minimize the likelihood of lateral capacity failures are provided in New Zealand Building
Code, Structure Foundations, Verification Method (B1/VM4) [10].
• Soil strength
• In liquefiable soils, residual soil strengths should be designed for in accordance with [4]. Further guidance
on designing for shallow and deep pile foundations in liquefied soils can be found in [5]
• Where a non-liquefied crust sits above a liquefied soil large lateral passive soil pressures can occur resulting in
pile shaft deformation (see Figure 6.4)
• Amount of soil disturbance during installation
• During installation the ground over the upper part of the shaft, generally to a depth of 4D, can be disturbed and
loosened. A reduction in lateral resistance over the upper 4D of any screw pile installation should be applied
during the design phase (the use of a “true helix“ is recommended as this will minimize soil disturbances and
increase lateral resistance).
• Degree of pile head fixity
• rotation of the pile head will be greater in weaker soils leading to a reduction in lateral capacity
• Diameter, length and strength of the shaft.
• concrete infilling and reinforcement of the pile shaft (where the ground allows) can improve lateral capacity.
15 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
6.5 Installation torque and capacity
The torsional resistance generated during screw pile installation is an indication of soil shear strength and provides
an alternative (empirical) way to find the capacity of a screw pile.
A relationship derived between ultimate geotechnical capacity and installation torque is shown in Table 6.3.
* This correlation is only valid where the soils below the helix are equal to or stronger than the soil in which the torque is measured.
Negative skin friction may be a factor in the derived capacity.
By recording large volumes of installation torque data in various soil conditions and for differing screw pile size
and helix configurations, screw pile companies are able to design and provide screw piles of a certain capacity based
on the above relationship.
Figure 6.5 shows how empirical torque data can be used to estimate (ultimate) screw pile capacity in both
compression and tension loading in a certain soil condition. Best-fit lines are drawn from which capacity values
can be read.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 16
Confidence in providing capacity figures comes from installation experience, specific load testing and the use
of monitoring systems. For torque measurements to be relied upon there needs to be:
• Calibration of the force inducer
• Consistent use of equipment
• Competence in pile installation (verticality and rate of installation)
• Consistent soil conditions
• Measurements taken over the last metre of installation or 3D (whichever is the greater)
Whilst this method of determining screw pile capacity is a good indicator of capacity, it is essential that conventional
geotechnical investigations and theoretical design is used to confirm:
• the target founding depth
• soil strength below the founding layer is of adequate strength
• the overall capacity
• on-site installation torque.
Key Point
Generic torque to capacity relationships provided by the installer must be validated
through site specific investigations and load testing.
17 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
6.6 Vertical deflection
Vertical movement (deflection) of screw piles will occur in all cases on loading and may be greater than that
of conventional comparable bored or driven piles. The vertical deflection, or ‘settlement’, of screw piles on loading
arises from:
An example of load versus deflection showing relative pile head and toe movement is shown in Figure 6.6.
A pile is initially loaded up to 750kN then unloaded, loaded up to nearly 1200kN and then again unloaded.
The pile installation company may have test data available for similar piles in similar soil profiles that can be used
for comparison. However, as even small variations in ground conditions can affect load/deflection, where the
structure is sensitive to vertical deflections, it is essential that site-specific full load testing is carried out.
Key Point
Where pile deflection is a critical design element it is recommended that site specific
load testing must be undertaken.
4 As the screw piles become loaded the helix plate will naturally bend or ‘deflect’ upwards at its outer edge. This deflection of the helix plate is the
mechanism that enables the screw pile to develop its full capacity.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 18
6.7 Pile spacing and group effects
The design will need to reflect whether the pile foundations are acting as a single pile or as a pile group. This is
particularly relevant when piles are spaced closer than about 3-4D or when there is a compressible layer underlying
the founding or bearing layer or when considering cone pull-out.
A slight pile inclination may be one way of achieving increased spacing and maintaining the estimated vertical
compression capacity.
Due to the typically small shaft diameter compared to the helix, reductions in lateral capacity due to group effects
are much less likely than for other pile types.
Section 8.2 of [1] recommends testing shall be performed to verify pile serviceability where the basic strength
reduction factor is greater than 0.4 and the average risk rating is greater than 2.5. However, current practice in
New Zealand accepts basic strength reduction factors of 0.45 to 0.55 without specific load testing.
19 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
7. Screw Pile Structural Design
Appendix B provides a checklist of items that need to be considered during the design and installation phases.
Loadings specific to screw piles include any flexural or lateral loads and arise from:
• accidental pile/column eccentricity
• seismic soil/foundation interaction
• slope instability
• self-weight loads.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 20
7.3 Screw pile components
The structural design of the piles (shaft, helix, and connections) should be carried out in accordance with the
following standards:
• AS 2159 Piling Design and Installation [1]
• AS 1163 Structural Steel Hollow Sections [13]
• AS 1554 Welding of Steel Structures [14]
• AS/NZS 3678 Structural Steel [15]
• AS/NZS 4671 Steel Reinforcing Materials [16]
• NZS 3404 Steel Structures [17]
• NZS 3101 Concret Structures [18].
7.3.1 Shaft
The dimensions of the shaft are based on the net thickness after making allowance for corrosion. The shaft design
should also take into account whether concrete in-filling or reinforcement is required.
7.3.2 Helix
A true helix has a constant pitch angle, a plate that is perpendicular to the shaft, and the internal edge parallel to the
shaft. True helix form is important for weld penetration and structural integrity.
As with the shaft, the dimensions of the helix plate should be based on the net thickness after making allowance
for corrosion.
Figure 7.1 shows typical examples of helix size relative to shaft size.
The design of the helix must follow a rational and proven analysis method validated through ‘tests to destruction’ for
representative pre-qualified configurations, PJ Yttrup and Abramsson: “Ultimate Strength of Screw Piles in Sand” [19].
21 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
Figure 7.1: Typical Helix to Pile Shaft Size
Where splices are needed to meet pile length requirements these should be designed to transfer all design actions
without slippage or distortion.
Key Point
The screw pile and any connections must be of adequate strength to transfer the load
from the structure to the ground during both installation and when in service.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 22
7.4 Modes of failure summary
Typical modes of geotechnical and structural failure for screw piles and mitigations are summarised in Table 7.1.
Geotechnical
Structural
Excessive Corrosion
• Premature structural failure
Installation
• Structural failure
• Position out of tolerance.
23 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
8. Materials, Durability
and Manufacturing
8.1 Durability
Design for durability from the base of the pile through to its connections at or above the ground surface should take
into account environmental conditions, such as the corrosive nature of the soil and groundwater.
It is recommended that corrosion allowances for screw pile design are based on [1] Section 6.5 Design for Durability
of Steel, and Table C5.3.2.1 [17]. Steel treatments such as galvanising, hot zinc coating, and polymer or epoxy coatings
designed to improve durability have not yet been proven for screw piles.
8.2 Materials
Materials used for the manufacture of screw piles should satisfy the following standards:
• Shaft – [13] or API 5L Specification for Line Pipe Standards [20], minimum Grade 350 MPa [20] is strongly
recommended to ensure seam weld integrity
• Helices – Minimum Grade 350 plate onto AS/NZS 1365 Tolerences for flat-rolled steel products [21]
• Concrete – Infill should be a minimum 30 MPa produced in accordance with NZS 3104 Specification for Concrete
Production [22].
8.3 Manufacture
For the screw pile shaft, the two critical manufacturing factors are:
• The quality of shaft manufacture
• The integrity of the seam weld.
Screw piles are typically manufactured off site and transported ready for installation. Where piles need to be spliced
to increase the overall pile length, this is typically done by means of a full strength butt weld in situ or with specifically
designed welded couplings.
Base materials, fabrication tolerances, welds and weld procedures, and quality controls of the manufacturers’ testing
processes are all critical to the installation, performance and structural reliability of screw piles. Further information
and recommendations are provided in the following sections for each element.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 24
8.3.1 Shaft
The following factors must be considered in the design and specification of the base shaft:
• Torsional capacity – torsion results in a circumferential shear in the central shaft, and may be calculated from the
circumferential steel yield value
• Integrity of weld seams
• Longitudinal capacity (long-term load capacity).
For further information on screw pile shaft design see Appendix D.3.
8.3.2 Helix
Helices should be manufactured using suitable equipment to ensure a “true helix” is formed. Only when the internal
edge is parallel to the shaft will weld root penetration and throat thickness of the weld will be homogeneous.
The shaft connection should be manufactured in accordance with [14] (plus a minimum level of NDT that is not less
than 10%) performed by AS/NZS 2980 Qualification of Welders for Fusion Welding of Steels [23] certified welder. The
weld material should be 480MPa-grade suitable for seismic conditions.
The helix should be fully welded all round, both above and below the helix plate, and the lead and trail edge should be
sealed in order to prevent crevice corrosion.
An example technical specification for a helix can be found in Appendix C: Screw Pile Technical Specification.
Key point
The torsional capacity and integrity of weld seams are key factors during installation
(particularly to withstand the very high torsional demand imposed while the pile is
being screwed in to the ground).
25 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
9. Construction Practice
9.1 Installation
Equipment used for installation needs to deliver sufficient torque to the pile without damaging it. The installation
torque must not exceed the maximum pile capacity with a suitable safety factor and safety cut-off in the equipment
used for installation. Figure 9.1 below shows the equipment and set-up needed for installation of a screw pile
structure.
The following points are recommended good practice for screw pile installation:
• Location of critical services (water, internet, gas etc) should be determined prior to installation
• When the screw pile is installed with a specialized machine it must be operated by a certified installer trained in
the use of that particular machine
• Calibration of installation equipment and torque measuring devices should be carried out at least every 6 months
• Where feasible, the same power-head should be used throughout a project, so that the measured torque can be
compared between piles. The pile should be installed in a continuous manner at a constant rate using variable
speeds.
• Rotation and advancement of the pile should be measured and recorded
• Installation is complete when the required tip embedment depth and the minimum required torsional resistance
have been met.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 26
The following should be monitored during construction and installation:
• Positional tolerance of the pile head
• Inclination and alignment of the pile
• Torsional resistance during the entire installation of the pile to be correlated with geotechnical investigations
• Quality assurance of any site welding to splices (additional NDT)
• Rebar (reinforcing steel bar) check
• Volume check of Tremie grouting (Tremie: a method for placing high quality concrete under water).
27 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
10. Testing Requirements
and Practices
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 28
10.2 General testing requirements
Guidance on testing requirements can be found in [1].
Sacrificial pre-production load testing should be undertaken in accordance with [1] Appendix A: Static Load Test.
This standard provides recommendations on reaction systems, equipment, and measurement of displacement,
loading schedules, recording and reporting. Each test should be adapted as required to suit the site, project
requirement and purpose of the test.
Testing should follow the procedures outlined in [1]: Table A1 Loading Program – Compression Test Procedure and
Table A2 Loading Programme – Lateral or Tension Test Procedure. The acceptance criteria for tension and load tests
should be carried out in accordance with [1] Section 8.4.3.
Variations to AS 2159
Some piling contractors may request variations to the testing proposed in [1] including:
• Amending the pile settlement criteria to 10% of the pile diameter (where piles are greater than 500 mm diameter)
to determine ultimate geotechnical strength rather than that detailed in [1] Table 8.4.3.1 – provided this meets
the structure design criteria
• Extending the Serviceability Limit State (SLS) load to monitor long-term creep
• Cyclic testing including tension and compression testing
• Specific loading requirements as determined by the project.
Key point
Project specific load testing of piles is not mandatory, however it is highly
recommended.
29 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
11. Producer Statements
With respect to screw pile foundations, a Chartered Professional Engineer who is competent in screw pile design will
need to sign each Producer Statement.
There are currently three Producer Statements issued by Chartered Professional Engineers. These have been jointly
developed by the Institution of Professional Engineers (IPENZ), the Institute of Architects (NZIA) and the Association
of Consulting Engineers (ACENZ) and are available via their websites.
For the screw pile design the pile designer (Chartered Professional Engineer) will provide a:
• PS1 Design –the pile designer is responsible for the design of the screw pile foundation system in its entirety.
This includes the geotechnical capacity of soils, structural capacity and durability of each element and also
includes all connections between the pile stem and the ground beam or foundation. The pile designer will
nominate the appropriate level of construction monitoring required on the PS1. The pile designer is also
responsible for coordinating with the engineer responsible for the structure to agree all loadings, assumptions
and pile/foundation interfaces.
• PS2 Design Review – if requested by the local BCA or client’s agent
• PS4 Construction Review – it should be the pile designer’s responsibility to undertake construction monitoring
in order to verify the installation and construction meets the approved design, contract drawings
and specifications.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 30
12. Procurement
In New Zealand screw piles are typically considered a specialist foundation product and, as such, are usually procured
under a Design and Construct contract with a manufacturer who is experienced in screw piles.
31 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
Bibliography
[1] AS 2159 Piling Design and Installation, 2009.
[2] NZGS Guideline for Field Description of Soil and Rock for Engineering Purposes, 2005.
www.nzgs.org/publications/guidelines/soil_and_rock.pdf
[3] AS/NZS 1170 Structural Design Actions. (Parts 0,1,2,3,5) 2002– 2013
[4] NZGS Guideline “Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering Practice – Module 1 – Guideline for the identification,
assessment and mitigation of liquefaction hazards”, 2010.
www.nzgs.org/Publications/Guidelines/GeoEarthquakeEngineer.pdf
[5] MBIE Guidance “Repairing and Rebuilding houses affected by the Canterbury Earthquakes” version 3, 2012 (with
regular updates and supplementary guidance).
www.mbie.govt.nz
[8] W. J. Tomlinson M.J. Woodward, Pile design and Construction 5th Edition (2007).
[9] Brom, “Brom’s method for analysis the lateral capacity of single piles,”.
www.engineering.com/Search?q=brom
[10] New Zealand Building Code, “Verification method B1/VM4 Foundations,” (2014).
www.building.govt.nz/UserFiles/File/Publications/Building/Compliance-documents/B1-structure-1st-
edition-amendment-12-rp.pdf
[12] Transpower, “Transpower Draft Foundation Design Guide for Transmission Lines”. June 2013 (log in permission
required from Transpower to view this article).
www.transpower.co.nz
[15] AS/NZS 3678 Structural Steel – Hot-rolled plates, floorplates and slabs (2011).
[19] PJ Yttrup and Abramsson: “Ultimate Strength of Screw Piles in Sand”, Australians Geomechanics Society Vol 38,
No 1, March 2003 (available online to AGS members).
[20] (American Petroleum Institute) API 5L Specification for Line Pipe Standards (2012).
[23] AS/NZS 2980 Qualification of Welders for Fusion Welding of Steels. (2007)
[25] NZS 3910 Conditions of Contract for Building and Civil Engineering Construction (2013).
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 32
Appendix A
Considerations for Geotechnical
Investigations for Screw Piles
Table–Geotechnical Investigations for Screw Piles
33 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
Test Item Developing Prove Estimation Identification Ground
overall soil, Founding of of slip plane conditions
rock and Material deformation such as
groundwater and environ-
profile settlement mental and
contamination
Hand Auger Bores Since the ground Limited to No, not No, disturbed For shallow
– Typically a 50 mm beneath the a depth of adequate soil samples depths however
diameter manually bored helix needs about 3-5 m depth. only. careful cleaning
hole to 3-5 m depth. In to be proved, and cannot of equipment
situ testing may include hand augers penetrate is required to
shear vane, or Scala are unlikely to stiff or dense avoid cross
penetrometer testing. be appropriate material or rock contamination.
except for shallow or progress
piles. through very
soft soils.
Test Pits – Test pits/ Unlikely to be Depth limited No, not Yes, if shallow Good for
trenches provide access appropriate 3-5 m. adequate within 3-5 m collection
for taking samples, for screw pile depth. depth. of samples
carrying out in situ design except with minimal
tests and to permit the for investigating risk of cross
in situ condition of the potential shallow contamination
ground to be examined in obstructions and where
detail both laterally and obtaining samples undertaken
vertically. Also provide for laboratory carefully.
a means of determining testing.
the orientation of
discontinuities of the
ground.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 34
Test Item Developing Prove Estimation of Identification Ground
profile Founding deformation and of slip plane conditions
Material settlement
Machine Boreholes – Drill Since no soil The Yes. Undisturbed Yes Yes, with careful
rig progresses drilling into is excavated recommended samples can be cleaning to
the soil or rock and retrieval during method obtained for site avoid cross
of samples for logging and screw pile for proving specific laboratory contamination.
laboratory testing. Forms installation, founding layers testing.
of progressing the drilling machine as boreholes
include wash, auger, rotary, borehole can penetrate
triple tube, cable tool, open drilling is an through most
barrel, percussion and sonic. opportunity soil and rock
Selection of the method to visually types.
is typically based on a assess the
combination of equipment soils. Can be
availability and soil or rock drilled to any
type expected at the site. In depth hence
situ testing such as Standard appropriate
Penetrometer Testing (SPT) for shallow
and down hole shear vane and deep
testing can be undertaken. screw piles.
Instrumentation for Can be done in
recording groundwater combination
levels, deformation, with CPT tests
settlement, slip movement which are
can be installed within the usually quicker
borehole. and lower cost.
35 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
Appendix B
Pre-Design, Design
and Installation Checklist
Client Client’s Screw Pile
Designer Designer
Pre Design
Has adequate geotechnical site investigations been carried out to prove the
depth, strength and thickness of founding layers, and other load s such a
landslide and liquefaction?
Have Screw Piles been evaluated for suitability with respect to both
geotechnical conditions and structural requirements?
Has the method of obtaining screw pile design been agreed with the Client
(i.e. Clients consultant to design or Design and Construct contract)?
Have the Client’s requirements, design load cases, site constraints been
adequately determined and advised?
Design
Has the Screw Pile Designer agreed adequate geotechnical site investigations
have been carried out to prove the depth strength and thickness of founding
layers, and other loads such as landslide and liquefaction? If not, Screw Pile
Designer should advise and undertake as considered necessary.
Has the SPD evaluated and allowed for all geotechnical requirements?
• All potential failure mechanisms including bearing, punching, pull out, lateral
loads and capacities
• Adequacy of founding layer and risk of punching
• Seismic effects such as liquefaction, negative down drag, and lateral loading
• Settlements
• Capacity based on analytical assessment or historical performance from
other sites. Where historical performance is screw pile size and ground
conditions consistent.
Design
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 36
Client Client’s Screw Pile
Designer Designer
• Has the SPD evaluated and allowed for all design and construction loadings?
Structure will cope with predicted settlements
• All installation torque and construction loads
• Buckling due to lateral loading from seismic or other loads
• Corrosion resistance meet the required Codes
• Load transfer at foundation
• Confirmed “True Helix” form.
Has a PS1 (and PS2) been completed by Chartered Professional Engineer and
approved by the Local Authority?
Installation
Has the installer ensured and put in place measures so that the pile shaft will
not be overstressed?
Contingency plan if pile cannot be installed to agreed depth or does not obtain
the agreed capacity.
Has the installer provided Inspection & Test Plan and Construction Work Plan
following the approved QA procedures?
Has the installer provided Pile Construction Record Cards, test and as built
records?
37 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
Appendix C
Technical Specification for the
Design, Construction, Installation
and Certification of Screw Piles
SP – SCREW PILES
SP0.0 INDEX
SP1.0 Preliminary
SP2.0 Roles and Responsibilities
SP3.0 Extent of Work
SP4.0 Nature of Ground
SP5.0 Standard Specifications
SP6.0 Pile Design
SP7.0 Materials
SP8.0 Handling and Storage of Piles
SP9.0 Method Statement
SP10.0 Setting Out and As-Built Locations
SP11.0 Supervision
SP12.0 Inspection
SP13.0 Load Testing (Compression and Tension)
SP14.0 Tolerances
SP15.0 Pile Construction Record Cards
SP16.0 Protection of Existing Structures
SP17.0 Protection of Adjacent Property
SP18.0 Completion
SP1.0 Preliminary
Refer to the Conditions of Contract and Preliminary and General, which shall apply to this section of the Contract Works.
This specification applies to the design, construction, installation and certification of the screw piles for the contract.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 38
c) The maximum permissible deflection at serviceability and ultimate limit states
d) Identify any ground effects that may impart additional load on the screw pile foundations. This may include
alterations in groundwater, ground settlement or seismic hazards. The resulting additional load or loss in
strength/stiffness of the soil shall be detailed within the Construction Drawings
e) The pile design performance criteria including tolerances
f) Specific material and test requirements such as compliance with AS1163 or API 5L
g) Any particular requirements for pre-construction and production load testing including acceptance criteria.
The Pile Designer shall be responsible for undertaking construction monitoring in order to verify that the design
meets the requirements of the contract specification and drawings. The Pile Designer shall advise the level of
construction monitoring required, produce a PS4 Construction Review, and obtain written acceptance of the PS4
by the local authority.
39 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
It is deemed that the Piling Contractor has inspected the Site and considered the nature of the ground through which
piles are to be constructed.
The Piling Contractor shall report immediately to the Engineer any circumstances which indicates that in the Piling
Contractor’s opinion the ground conditions differ from those reported in or which could have been inferred from the
geotechnical data provided. The piling Contractor shall be responsible for undertaking additional site investigations as
considered necessary to support the screw pile design.
The fact that a tender has been submitted shall be deemed as evidence that the Piling Contractor accepts the full and
sole responsibility for the method of working, including the maintenance of excavation stability, the construction of
defect-free piles, and positioning the completed piles within the required tolerances to the approximate founding
depth specified on the Drawings.
All these documents referenced above shall be the latest revision, complete with current amendments, as at the time
of issue of this document for tender.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 40
the Drawings. The design shall be undertaken and verified by a suitably qualified geotechnical or structural Chartered
Engineer with experience in the design of screw piles. The piling Contractor shall submit a curriculum vitae for the
proposed Pile Designer with his tender.
The design of the structural connection between the pile and the pile cap shall be undertaken in accordance
with NZS 3101 Concrete Structures Standard.
Pile design shall consider measures to mitigate the risk of flighting (where the helices do not penetrate
and a column of disturbed soil is formed) the auger during installation of the screw pile.
SP7.0 Materials
a) Shaft
The shaft shall be:
– Compliant with AS1163 or API 5L standards as required by the project,
– Minimum Grade Steel 350MPa
– Maximum Grade Steel 500MPa
– Minimum Elongation 20%
– Wall Thickness Tolerance 5%
b) Helices
Helices shall be formed from minimum Grade 350 plate compliant with AS/NZS 1365 Structural Steelwork and
AS/NZS 3678:2011Structural Steel – Hot-rolled plates, floorplates and slabs.
Helices should be pressed by suitable equipment to ensure a “true helix” is formed to minimise disturbance of
the ground during installation and reduce displacement on loading. This requires:
– the pitch at the inside and outside of the helix to be equal (+/- 4% of the helix flange width)
– the gradient of the spiral should be constant
– any radial measurement across the helix should be perpendicular to the shaft (+/-4% of the helix flange width
– Second and third helices shall be positioned on shaft at an exact multiple of pitch
Connection should be in accordance with AS1554.1 Structural Welding – Category SP Weld (plus a minimum level
of NDT that is greater or equal than 10%) performed by an AS.NZS 1554.1 qualified welder. The helix shall be
fully welded all round, both above and below the helix and seal lead and trail edge.
c) Welds
Weld material shall be 480MPa grade suitable for seismic conditions.
d) Concrete
Concrete infill where applicable shall be a minimum 30MPa produced in accordance with NZS3104.
The Piling Contractor shall provide manufacturer and test certification for all materials.
41 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
SP8.0 Handling and storage of piles
All operations such as handling, transporting, lifting and pitching of piles shall be carried out in such a manner
as to prevent damage to the piles and/or their coatings.
Piles shall be stacked on suitable supports on firm ground, in a manner which will eliminate excessive handling
stresses or other damage.
Pile Construction
Each tenderer shall provide a method statement for each piling operation to be undertaken in executing the Works.
The method statement shall describe all proposed equipment, and detail the construction sequence. The method
statement shall be submitted with the tender and shall contain the following information (as a minimum):
a) Programme of the works, detailing the timing and sequence of individual portions of the works
b) Full details of the installation plant to be used, including manufacturer’s information and proof of servicing/recent
upkeep and calibration
c) Proposed phasing of excavation/filling operations such that the design stresses in the piles (and any supporting
frames) are not exceeded
d) The contingency plan to be adopted, to minimise disruption and delay, in the event of encountering obstructions
or where the screw pile helices appear to flight the in situ soils
e) Anticipated noise levels (measured in dB) and vibration levels (measured in mm/sec) arising from piling
operations (if applicable)
f) The Piling Contractor shall nominate a suitably experienced, professionally qualified engineer, as the
“Piling Supervisor”. The Piling Contractor shall submit a curriculum vitae for the proposed Piling Supervisor
with its tender.
The Engineer’s review of the each method statement shall not relieve the Piling Contractor or the Pile Designer
of its obligations to meet the requirements of this Specification.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 42
SP10.0 Setting out and as-built locations
The position of all piles shall be accurately set out by the Piling Contractor. The pile positions and verticality shall be
checked by the Piling Contractor immediately prior to installation.
After construction, actual pile locations and verticality shall be certified by a Chartered Surveyor employed by the
Piling Contractor for this purpose. The Piling Contractor shall submit an as-built pile plan to the Engineer, ten days
prior to incorporating any piles in to the structure. A partial as-built pile plan can be submitted for each sequence
of piling operations, as required. An overall as-built pile plan, showing the as-built locations of all piles, shall be
submitted to the Engineer within ten days of completing the last pile.
SP11.0 Supervision
The Piling Supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring that all piling operations comply with the requirements
of this Specification, and all referenced publications. The Piling Supervisor shall also ensure that all monitoring
and pile records are maintained up to date, and are available for inspection by the Engineer.
SP12.0 Inspection
The Engineer requires the opportunity of observing all phases of the piling operations and of inspecting particular
items such as pre-production load testing, installation of the screw piles and construction of the detail to the
structure. The Piling Contractor shall therefore keep the Engineer informed daily as to the work anticipated to be
carried out on the next working day.
The position of each load test shall be agreed on site with the Engineer, prior to commencing installation or erection
of the load test equipment.
The load tests shall follow the compression and tension load test procedures outlined in AS2159: 2009 Table A1
and Table A2 respectively. Test loads shall be determined by the Pile Designer in accordance with AS2159: 2009
Table 8.3.3.2 ‘Test Loads Without Negative Friction’. Test loads shall be calculated on the basis of the maximum
serviceability and ultimate limit state loads specified on the Drawings.
The acceptance criteria for compression and tension load tests shall be in accordance with AS2159: 2009 Section
8.4.3, Table 8.4.3.1 with the following variation where approved by the Engineer:
• For compression proof testing amending the pile settlement criteria to 10% of the pile diameter (where piles
are greater than 500mm dia) to determine ultimate geotechnical strength rather than that detailed in AS2159
Table 8.4.3.1.
SP14.0 Tolerances
The Piling Contractor shall make all necessary provisions to the drilling procedure, installation, initial spotting and
inclination of piles in order to achieve installation of piles to the specified tolerances as set out in the Drawings.
A starting point is to refer to positional tolerances as set out in [1] Section 7.2.1.
If records or measurements show that piles have been installed outside the specified tolerances, the Piling Contractor
shall provide the Engineer with details of measures to be adopted to enable the piles to comply with the specification.
Forcible correction of laterally displaced piles shall not be made, unless the Piling Contractor can demonstrate that the
strength, integrity and durability performance of the pile will not be adversely affected.
43 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
Should the Piling Contractor fail to meet the above requirements, the Engineer reserves the right to order such extra
work as may be required to overcome the resultant structural problems.
The Piling Contractor shall not carry out remedial work on any pile, without the written approval of the Engineer.
Pile construction records shall be submitted to the Engineer within 48 hours of the completion of each pile.
SP18.0 Completion
On completion, the Piling Contractor shall leave the Site and the Contract Works clean and ready for immediate use
by following contractors.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 44
Appendix D
Screw Pile Shaft Specification
and Design
D.1 Hollow section specifications
Specifications for circular hollow sections which are currently available (such as AS 1163 Structural Steel Hollow
Sections) generally target either a circumferential design capacity basis, or a longitudinal design basis. The former
is for liquids transportation and/or a pressure vessel/distribution system, while the latter is primarily for structural
members. Neither pay particular attention to torsional capacity, nor is weld seam integrity adequately addressed.
Furthermore, considerable variation exists in terms of allowable wall thicknesses,such that a Circular Hollow Section
(CHS) product may be within specification, but significantly below the capacity expectation of the designer.
It is for this reason, and from experience of those involved with screw piling operations, that the API 5L standard is
strongly recommended.
Maximum Grade
Setting a maximum yield of, say 500 MPa, ensures the product will be closer to the more standard carbon steel
mixture, rather than a higher specified steel which includes higher trace element contents. This also affects weld
ability aspect.
Elongation Requirements
Setting a minimum 20% elongation requirement will ensure a more ductile and robust product. In addition to seismic
performance aspects, product meeting this criteria is generally considered to be tougher and therefore more robust
for the critical installation phase.
45 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
D.3 Screw pile shaft design
A sample moment-axial capacity chart is presented below in Figure D.3 for the design of screw pile capacity
considering both installation as well as long term loading.
The chart illustrates the inter-dependance of several key design factors including:
• Installation capacity is typically on the unfilled, i.e. steel only, section
• Available moment capacity (o|M) is influenced by axial load (o|N)
• Allowance must be made for long term corrosion effects. This will typically mean a reduction in wall thickness,
especially for external corrosion
• Allowance must be made for eccentricity of loading, taking account of construction tolerances, pile connection,
superstructure
• Time allowance should be made for the concrete infill to achieve sufficient strength – and stiffness, subsequent to
the filling process.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 46
Appendix E
Example Screw Pile Record Card
47 Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015
DISCLAIMER
While the authors have made every effort to present a carefully considered Practice Note based on their own
professional practice, as well as consultation with the wider industry and the sponsors, they accept that what
constitutes good practice may alter over time following changes in knowledge, technology and legislation.
The authors also acknowledge that differing interpretations of relevant legislation and regulations are possible
and that each practitioner will need to confirm requirements with the relevant authorities.
Sponsored by:
LEGAL INFORMATION
Practice Notes are not offered as formal advice and practitioners must exercise their own professional skill
and judgment in applying them. IPENZ accepts no liability arising from their use.
Practice Notes are copyright to IPENZ and cannot be reprinted without permission.
Practice Note 28: Screw Piles: Guidelines for Design, Construction and Installation • Version 1, October 2015 48
Version History
Version 1 – October 2015
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