For thousands of years, stakes were pieces of wood driven into the ground. Today, with new material technologies, it is possible to drive steel and even concrete into the ground. Wooden piles still exist, but steel seems to have taken over for several good reasons. The popularity of screw piles is exponential. From the clothesline to the chalet, their uses are multiplying. They are an interesting alternative to pilasters and concrete blocks as well as wood and angle iron to support your investments. “Screw piles are very stable against the freeze-thaw cycle. Made of galvanized steel, they do not deteriorate. And, in terms of structure to support, the choice is vast: carport, terrace, house, chalet, extension, solarium, lamppost, clothesline and more. The piles can even be unscrewed and reused in another place. Prices vary slightly from company to company, but you can calculate around $130-135 plus tax per stake, installation included. “As far as installation is concerned, our equipment is reduced to its simplest form, in order to be able to reach the most difficult places and to avoid damaging the grounds. It takes about an hour to lay, which is shorter than the installation of more traditional foundation products. Screw piles can fit into virtually any type of soil except very rocky terrain. In the residential sector, they are normally planted at a depth of about 6 feet, which is sufficient for the bearing capacity usually required. However, screw piles can go up to 100 feet deep in the commercial sector.
The study of the project
Before installing piles, it is necessary to analyze what service is required of each pile. In the case of stabilization of the foundations of a building, it is necessary to understand its structure to evaluate its weight. There is often a variation in weight from one wall section to another. An example of variation is the direction of the floor joists that rest on the foundation. The walls that receive the joists have more weight to support. There is of course also the type of coating that creates variation. It is important to take everything into consideration, the orientation of the roof trusses, the height and thickness of the foundation, the structure and location of the load-bearing walls, the support columns, the beams, the annexes, the garages, chimneys, etc. In addition, the live loads must be taken into account. That is, the weight of furniture, snow on the roof, and people living in the building. The dead load plus the live loads give us the service loads that need to be weighted.
Project design
The design of the project is based on the study. In the event of a major omission during the study, the design will not be adequate. A structural engineer is essential to make the final design. The design must be presented in the form of very descriptive and precise technical drawings. These "engineering plans" are essential for obtaining a building permit from the city. In addition, they are essential to inform the foreman responsible for the site of the logistics required for the planning and execution of the work. The installation of piles before the construction or after the construction of a building is an operation that influences its structure. All structural work and the design of prefabricated parts require the approval of a structural engineer. On the other hand, the estimate, planning and execution do not require the direct intervention of an engineer, unless the project requires an as-built plan and a certificate of conformity.
Project planning Thorough planning is essential to carry out safe, quality work and within reasonable deadlines. Planning takes a lot of energy and requires an excellent working method. Today, with new communication technologies, planning can be done much faster, but without a good working method, stress can interfere with planning by creating misunderstandings and unconstructive frustrations. Planning is a big part of the recipe for success. It is the ingredient that weaves strong bonds between all the other ingredients. Project execution The person responsible for carrying out the work is the foreman. There is no school that teaches how to properly install piles. The training is done by companionship. That is to say, the most experienced foremen must share their knowledge with the youngest. Safety on the construction site must be the priority. Next come quality and efficiency. All of these priorities must be managed through good communication. The site foreman must communicate well with the client, with his men, with his suppliers, with his subcontractors, with city employees, with neighbors, etc. Good supervisors are people with exceptional qualities.
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