Introduction To Screw Piling In
The Australian Construction Market
Versatile, environmentally friendly, and immediately load-bearing. Sounds good? If you’re in the Australian construction industry, you’ll know screw piles are an incredibly popular alternative to the typical concrete piling.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the construction applications of screw piling, walk you through the installation process, and cover everything else you need to know.
Applications of Screw Piling in Construction
Made of steel, screw piles are essentially a giant corkscrew—driven into the ground to make an anchor point for your foundation.
Screw piling is perfect for construction projects where you have challenging soil conditions or a sloped site.
Residential Screw Pile Applications
When building homes, screw piles are a game-changer. They’re perfect for house foundations, offering stability and durability in all sorts of soil conditions—whether you’re building on sandy, clay-heavy, or rocky ground.
Plus, they’re a great option for decks, patios, and verandas, providing a quick-install foundation that won’t break the bank.
Got a fence or retaining wall? Screw piles are ideal for lightweight structures such as retaining walls and landscaping that need to stay put, even if the soil shifts. And for those smaller backyard projects like sheds or carports, screw piles offer an affordable and durable solution that’s easy to install.
Commercial Screw Pile Applications
In the commercial world, screw pile applications are just as versatile. They’re a top choice for office buildings and warehouses, providing solid foundations that can handle heavy loads without a fuss. For retail spaces in busy urban areas, screw piles are a win because they cause minimal disruption during construction.
Need something temporary? Screw piles are perfect for pop-up stores or exhibition spaces, offering a quick-to-install foundation that’s just as easy to remove. And for parking lots or light poles, just space them evenly, and you’re good to go.
Infrastructure Screw Pile Applications
Screw piles really shine in infrastructure projects. They’re the go-to for bridges and boardwalks, providing durable foundations that can easily span unstable or wet ground. Screw piling for road signs and traffic lights offers the stability needed to keep vertical structures standing tall, even in high winds or shifting soil.
And let’s not forget renewable energy. Screw piles are a key player in solar farms and wind turbines, supporting these installations on all kinds of terrain. They’re also a lifesaver for telecommunication towers, especially in remote locations where quick installation is a must.
Retrofitting and Repairs
Got an existing structure that’s seen better days? Screw piles are here to help. They’re perfect for strengthening foundations that are suffering from soil erosion or movement. If you’re dealing with an older building that’s starting to sink or shift, screw piles can be used for underpinning, stabilising the structure and preventing further damage.
And if you’ve got a sinking home or commercial building, screw piles offer a quick and effective solution to get things back on track.
Specialised Screw Pile Applications
Screw piles are also a star in specialised projects. For coastal and marine projects, they’re the foundation of choice for piers, docks, and waterfront properties, thanks to their resilience in harsh conditions.
In remote or rural areas, screw piles offer efficient solutions where access is limited or heavy equipment isn’t an option.
The Install Process
Similarly to concrete piling, installing screw piling in your construction project the right way is crucial, as poor techniques can lead to subpar pile performance.
Before install, make sure you’ve looked into where your screw piles are coming from. As the largest end-to-end screw pile manufacturer, Blade Pile gives you the manufacturer, distributor and installer in one, saving you time and costs in the long run.
So, how should you tackle it? Typically, standard tracked or wheeled excavators are equipped with a hydraulic torque motor.
This motor measures the torque during installation to meet the design specifications. The machinery used can range from small skid-steer loaders to excavators weighing between 5 and 80 tonnes.
Rotary hydraulic powerheads, with torque capacities from 5,000 N⋅m to 500,000 N⋅m, are specially fitted to these machines using different boom configurations. Special drive attachments are then used to connect the screw pile to the machine.
This way, piling contractors achieve the designed load capacity and prevent excessive settlement.
Screw Pilings vs Traditional Foundation Systems: The Verdict
Screw Piling
Screw pilings (or helical piles) and ground piles essentially serve the same purpose, to create a strong foundation that safely transfers your building’s weight into the ground. When used in Australian construction, screw piling can also provide the flexibility to adjust or remove foundations later.
Concrete Piling
Where concrete achieves this by distributing the load across a wide area with a solid mass, screw piles are anchored deeply into the soil—meaning they are quicker to install, minimise ground disruption, and can work around tree roots or underground services.
The Cost of Screw Piling in Construction
Helical piers are a cost-effective solution due to their rapid installation process, which reduces labour costs and project timelines. Additionally, their minimal need for soil excavation leads to further savings in on-site preparation and remediation.
Trusting the Right Supplier & Installer
Screw piling has changed the Australian construction market, offering a faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional systems.
With superior load-bearing capacity, minimal site disruption, and immediate usability, screw piles australia are the go-to solution for everything from residential sheds to large-scale commercial developments. But who can you trust to deliver quality?
As the country’s largest end-to-end ISO-certified screw pile manufacturer and installer, Blade Pile ensures your project gets the strong foundation it needs.
Blade Pile: The Smarter Choice
It’s important you research your screw pile supplier. For instance, Blade Pile screw piles are engineered for faster, more precise installation, measuring soil strength in real time to ensure optimal load-bearing capacity. They offer superior efficiency compared to traditional foundation methods like bored piers, and provide unmatched stability while meeting all Australian standards (AS2159-2009 & AS2870-2011).
Designed with sustainability in mind, Blade Pile screw piles are removable, reusable, and recyclable—minimising environmental impact. As the largest end-to-end ISO-certified screw pile manufacturer and installer in Australia (ISO 9001, 14001, and OHS 45001), Blade Pile guarantees industry-leading quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Proven Performance: Blade Pile in Major Hospital Redevelopments
Blade Pile screw piles have played a crucial role in some of Australia’s largest modular hospital redevelopments, providing unmatched stability, speed, and precision.
In the Moranbah Modular Hospital Redevelopment, over 500+ galvanised screw piles were installed with Level Master caps and connections, ensuring a durable and efficient foundation for this critical healthcare expansion.
Similarly, the Blackwater Modular Hospital Redevelopment relied on 275+ galvanised screw piles to support its new healthcare facility, demonstrating Blade Pile’s ability to deliver high-performance piling solutions for large-scale projects.
By integrating our advanced piling system, these hospitals benefit from greater load-bearing strength, precise installation, and minimal environmental impact, all while meeting the highest Australian and ISO standards.
FAQs
Screw piles are so popular in construction because they’re quick to install, eco-friendly, and immediately load-bearing. They bypass soft or unstable soil layers, anchoring securely into stable ground below. This makes them ideal for projects requiring minimal disruption, fast turnaround, and reliable foundations.
Screw piles are 100% suitable for large-scale construction projects. Their ability to handle significant loads, flexibility, and quick installation process makes them an excellent choice for projects ranging from multi-story buildings to large infrastructure developments.
Screw piling is especially beneficial for projects in areas with challenging soil conditions, sloped or uneven terrain, or where minimal ground disruption is required. They are commonly used in residential housing, commercial developments and infrastructure projects.
Screw piles are also ideal for temporary structures or projects requiring foundations that can be adjusted or removed later.
Contact
Blade Pile
NSW Master Distributor – Solid Metal Piling
41 Topham Road, Smeaton Grange NSW 2567
TAS Master Distributor – Channel Earthmoving
Contact our team
In his capacity as National Manager, Josh spearheads Blade Pile Group’s business development and growth into new markets.
Since joining the organisation in 2018, Josh has brought a diverse knowledge base and bank of experience in construction, business management, logistics and team leadership to the Blade Pile Group.
