A screw pile, also known as a helical pile, helical anchor, or earth anchor, is a deep foundation system made from steel with one or more helical plates welded to the shaft.

Screw piles have been used for more than 100 years and are now widely adopted as a modern alternative to traditional concrete foundations. They are commonly used where fast installation, minimal ground disturbance, or reduced environmental impact is required.

Applications range from infrastructure and utilities to residential and commercial construction.

Screw piles are installed by rotating them into the ground using hydraulic drive heads mounted on excavators or skid steers.

As the pile is screwed into the soil, the helical plates advance downward and transfer load into deeper, more stable ground layers. Installation continues until the required depth or installation torque is reached, which correlates directly with load capacity.

Once installed, screw piles are immediately load-bearing.

The helix is the spiral plate welded to the lower section of the screw pile.

Its purpose is to carry and distribute the load of the structure into the surrounding soil. As the pile is rotated during installation, the helix cuts into the ground and pulls the pile downward.

For performance and frost protection, screw piles are typically installed below the frost line to prevent movement caused by freeze-thaw cycles.

Time savings
• Fast installation using standard construction equipment
• Installation possible in most weather conditions
• Immediate load-bearing, no curing time
• Automatic installation data capture for compliance and verification
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Cost savings
• No concrete required
• No excavation or soil removal
• Reduced transport and disposal costs
• Lower labour and plant requirements
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Environmental benefits
• Minimal ground disturbance
• Little to no vibration
• Reduced carbon footprint compared to concrete foundations

The cost depends on site conditions, required load capacity, and installation depth.

A geotechnical engineer assesses the soil conditions and specifies the required pile size and installation torque. Because screw piles install quickly, require no curing time, and generate no spoil, they are often more cost-effective than traditional foundation systems.

ReadyScrew screw piles are engineered for a wide range of load requirements, from small residential extensions to large commercial and industrial structures.

Pile size and installation torque are specified by a geotechnical engineer to ensure the system safely supports the required loads.

Screw Piling Supplies is the sole UK and European supplier of Helical Anchors Inc. products.

Standard pile sizes are held in stock and available for immediate delivery. For pricing or technical advice, contact the team to discuss your project requirements.

Screw piles are manufactured through Helical Anchors Inc., part of the Jindal Saw Group, with production facilities in the USA and India.

Manufacturing is supported by ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems and internationally recognised certifications. Quality checks are performed at every stage, including raw materials, welding, helix geometry, bolting, galvanizing, and final packaging.

Yes. Destructive testing is a core part of the quality assurance process.

Finished products are regularly tested to failure using torsional and helix press testing. These pass-fail tests verify weld integrity, material strength, and overall performance, ensuring consistent quality across all production batches.

• Hot-dip galvanized for long-term corrosion resistance
• Manufactured from high-grade, high-carbon steel
• Patented inertia welding for superior joint strength
• Regular destructive testing exceeding design requirements

Installation is very fast. In suitable conditions, up to 30 screw piles can be installed in a single day using standard construction machinery.

ReadyScrew screw piles are made from galvanized high-carbon steel and are engineered for a design life of at least 120 years, depending on soil conditions and exposure.

For project-specific advice, contact the technical team. Detailed engineering information is also available in the ReadyScrew engineering guide.

Screw Piling Supplies is actively seeking distributors and installers across the UK and Europe. Contact the team to discuss partnership opportunities.