What are screw piles?
Screw piles are steel foundations driven into the ground by rotation, with the helical blades at their base anchoring into competent soil to support and distribute structural loads. They provide fast, low-disturbance foundations with minimal spoil and no curing time.
Why Are MCLM Screw Piles the Industry Choice?
At MCLM we use the multiturn helix for all our screw piles which is a one-piece cast-steel, multi-flute conical helix which is butt-welded to the pile shaft. As it advances, the multiturn helix compacts the soil between the flutes to create a pressure “bulb” that spreads load uniformly into competent strata. Our testing and engineering has proven well over that this bulb effect achieves capacities comparable to a plate helix of much larger diameter, enabling shorter embedment in dense sands and clays. Designed for end-bearing rather than shaft friction, it installs quickly and quietly, penetrates hard or shaly ground, and performs reliably across variable sites.
Advantages of Multiturn Helixes
What Are Multiturn Helixes?
Our multiturn helix is a one-piece cast steel helical system welded directly to the pile shaft. Unlike single-turn plate helices, the multiturn helix uses multiple flutes in a conical shape to compact soil as it advances. This action forms a “pressure bulb” within the soil, which spreads the load uniformly and significantly increases capacity. Testing has shown that multiturn helices can perform up to 1.75–2.2 times more efficiently than single-turn plate helices of the same diameter. By engaging dense sands, clays, or rock at shallower depths, the multiturn helix delivers stronger end-bearing capacity, reduces installation time, and eliminates the need for pre-drilling in most soils.
Advantages of Multiturn Helixes Over Plate Helixes