Engineers
Pile Load Testing
Designed and installed correctly screw piles performance is predictabe. When CEO Steve Lewenhoff first introduced screwpiles as a foundation alternative back in 1996, structural engineers used to say; "Why would I use these, I've been using concrete all my life and it works fine." To which he would response; "Simple, their faster-easier-cheaper for your clients!" That was usually enought to get innovative engineers who wanted to use better construction methods thinking and it was not long until other engineers came to embrace screwpiles as a viable and reliable alternative over conventional methods.
As with any piling or anchoring system correct installation procedures in accordance with the intended screwpile design is critical in ultimate foundation performance. Screwpile Australia is adamant that their screwpiles be installed by "Accredited Screwpile Australia Installers" who have been inducted by the company.
In the past, particularly on the east coast of Australia, the behaviour of some screw in foundation manufacturers and contractor has come into question with reported performance shortfalls and project failure. This has been a direct result of some entering the market based on price only and having little regard to providing quality performance based products. Fortunately due to our companies 14 years of pioneering involvement in the industry we were able to exposed these shortcomming when ever they surfaced. We were directly responsible for the abandonment of the practise of using second hand unidentifed steel tube in the manufacture of screw in foundations by one contracting manufacturer.
The Australia Piling Code AS2159-2009 has recently undergone a revision in standards to better accomodate changes in the piling and ground anchoring industry. Pile testing regemes are more defined and broad. There are a number of load testing methods for compression, tension and lateal capacity testing involves static or dynamic testing regemes.
Static Load Testing
Dynamic Load Testing
