Latest Posts
October 6, 2016 11:14 am
Screw pile or helical pile foundations have a number of benefits compared to traditional concrete foundations – not least of which is the reduced time it takes to install the foundations themselves. This includes less time digging out the foundations as well as installing the steel. Here is a brief guide to helical pile foundation installations for anybody who is new to the process. Planning the Installation The steel plates used in a screw pile foundation are unique to every project and created bespoke to meet the needs of the structure and conditions that the foundations will be subjected to. This means that their size, pitch, and thickness will be different for every install. The factors considered when designing and...
September 30, 2016 1:37 pm
As a team of innovators and critical thinkers which continues to deliver results originated in extensive experience and specialist knowledge, Screwfast is at the forefront of technology and practical application across a wide range of sectors. Working across the board with leading organisations and visionaries throughout all major infrastructure sectors, including rail, energy, roads, civils and commercial sectors, Screwfast provide conventional and innovational foundation solutions and offer expertise in: Foundation solutions Full earthworks and groundworks packages Specialist design and specification services Since 2000, Screwfast have continued to deliver quality services and carefully considered routes to success in the implementation of a variety of projects; the delivery of which are based always, on speed, budget and the provision of excellence in...
September 15, 2016 1:36 pm
As innovators in their field, the team at Screwfast are proud of a track record which reflects an inimitable style of delivery; theirs is an approach which above all, focuses on delivering a full range of solutions to clients in a variety of sectors and delivering those solutions with an attention to detail and a whole-picture approach unique to the company. Screwfast provides traditional design and build services which have been honed, fine-tuned and calculated to simplify as well as to unify the various flows of work for the diverse projects which they undertake, from concept through to completion. The company is made up of an exceptional team of talented professionals, each with a highly developed skillset and experience spanning...
August 31, 2016 10:33 am
Grillages are a versatile and environmentally friendly foundation technique which is often applied in situations where towers, road signs, gantries or overhead line electrification needs to be installed. The term grillage comes from the French “greille” meaning grating of metal or steel bars. Placed on a number of screwpiles, steel grillages support the overlying structure firmly and reliably whilst reducing installation time when compared to traditional support systems, to under an hour in some cases. The superior technology and more sustainable methods and materials make grillages a desirable and cost effective solution in most cases. Advantages of Grillages High speed installation Convenience Cost effective – reducing expenditure and manpower Versatile – suits a wide variety of applications Types of Grillage...
August 5, 2016 10:29 am
It’s every homeowner’s nightmare. The realisation that the very ground on which your home stands, is on the move. The problem with subsidence is that by the time the symptoms are visible, the damage is already done. There are some very early signs which many people miss including doors and windows beginning to ‘stick’ when they’re opened or closed. But other signs are more often the first to be spotted and they include cracks around door frames or windows and particularly around extensions where the newer building meets the older. This is due to the buildings trying to pull away from one another. It should be noted that most buildings, especially older properties will have some visible cracks both within...
July 22, 2016 10:32 am
Concrete is still widely used in the building industry as a result of its strength. It’s typically utilised in the building of most construction types including houses, tunnels and public buildings. Concrete and cement are often spoken of as though they were one and the same thing but cement is merely a part of concrete, a quantity of its whole together with sand, gravel and water. Cement is the binder within concrete and it’s what keeps the whole mixture together, lending strength and durability. Because we can’t speak of concrete without discussing cement, we must therefore look at why cement is an issue for the environment. Why Cement is the Issue Second only to coal-powered electricity, the manufacture of cement...
July 20, 2016 10:28 am
Helical Piles have so many benefits that once you understand them, it’s hard to see a reason not to choose them over traditional foundations. However, some people remain slightly sceptical of them. This comes from some lack of understanding for the most part as many people assume Helical Piles are a new idea or a new technology when in fact, the first Helical Piles were used over 200 years ago! In the past, Helical Piles were usually put to good use on coastal structures such as lighthouses and piers where their firm grip was the best solution in the unstable marine environment, but recently, the advantages of them have seemed more relevant than ever and so people are choosing them...
July 2, 2016 10:26 am
Helical Piles aren’t a new concept; they’re gaining popularity fast thanks to their recognition as one of the most underrated engineering feats of the 19th century and as we learn more about the environment, we’ve naturally come to realise that Helical Piles are by far the kindest foundation solution when it comes to ecological awareness. Because Helical Piles use less machinery, less manpower and no concrete, their impact on the environment is significantly less than that of traditional foundations. They are also extremely effective…there are some very well-known landmarks which are still standing in the UK today thanks at least in part to their Helical Piles. Many historically interesting coastal structures were completed using the then, innovative and brand new...
June 20, 2016 10:25 am
Understanding when and where Helical Piles are the best solution in building is dependent on first understanding their purpose. Any foundation needs to be strong enough to support and to bear the weight of whichever structure rests above it. When we look at traditional foundations we come to realise that they are inherently weak. Varying soil conditions, water or plant life can all contribute to the detriment of a traditional foundation meaning that the building it supports can suffer damage. As moisture seeps into the fabric of the building, walls can crack or bow, floors can list and within the building, the weakness of the traditional foundation becomes all to apparent. In some areas, flood prone areas in particular, it...
June 13, 2016 1:23 pm
Helical piles are a geotechnical engineering feat with a strong, varied history of use. Read on to find some examples which may surprise you. Helical Piles Were First Used as River Moorings for Ships The first documented use of helical piles was in 1836, in which their recorded function was as river moorings for ships. These river moorings (also called ‘pile moorings’) consisted of poles with wide blades spiraling around them which were literally screwed into the bottom of the waterway. A portion of the poles breeched the surface of the water. Ships and smaller marine vessels would then secure ropes to the tops of several of these moorings when docking. Helical Piles Were Used to Protect the Banks of...
01727 735550 
info@van-elle.co.uk 
