Rotabond supplies and installs high-performance helical piles, also known as screw piles, using engineered steel shafts fitted with helical flights (helix plates). These systems are custom-designed to meet site-specific ground conditions, offering a reliable solution for both temporary and permanent structures. Helical piles are particularly effective where traditional bored or driven pile systems are impractical due to soil type, site access, or environmental concerns.
Common Applications
Rotabond helical piles are widely used across multiple sectors for both load-bearing and anchoring purposes. Typical applications include:
- Structural Support: Compression and tension loads for permanent and temporary structures.
- Foundation Underpinning: Strengthening and stabilising existing foundations.
- Infrastructure Projects: Bridges (abutments, columns), rail platforms, and highways signage.
- Utilities and Energy: Telecommunication masts, electrical pylons, solar farms, and wind turbines.
- Public Facilities: Walkways, modular buildings, stadium seating, and retaining walls.
- Specialist Anchoring: Back stays, tension guys, and flood defence structures.
- Fencing and Boundary Structures: Installations requiring minimal ground disruption.
Installation Process
Rotabond’s helical piles are installed using standard excavators equipped with a torque motor attachment. The installation method involves several critical stages:
- Pre-Installation Planning
- Review geotechnical reports to confirm soil types, strength (SPT ‘N’ Values), and bearing strata depth.
- Determine the required pile shaft diameter, number, and size of helical flights to match ground conditions and structural loads.
- Installation Method
- The torque motor rotates the pile into the ground, advancing the shaft through soil layers without augering or removing material.
- As the pile progresses, multiple sections are joined by bolted couplings to reach the designed depth.
- Torque is continuously monitored during advancement, with final design verification over the last metre of penetration.
- Depth and Load Verification
- Achievement of the required installation torque over the final metre confirms that the designed load capacity is met.
- Installation records are maintained to provide quality assurance and compliance verification.
- Pile Termination and Connection
- Upon reaching the target datum, piles are terminated with a steel flange plate or custom concrete connection.
- For structures requiring higher lateral capacity, a concrete collar can be installed around the pile head.
Load Capacities
Rotabond helical piles are engineered to deliver significant load-bearing capabilities:
- Axial Compression Loads: Up to 300kN (subject to ground conditions).
- Uplift Loads: Up to 200kN.
- Lateral Loads: Up to 25kN, with greater resistance achievable using additional concrete collars.
All capacities are subject to verification through installation torque monitoring and can be enhanced through design modifications where project requirements demand.
Advantages
Helical screw piles offer several critical advantages over conventional foundation systems:
- Versatility: Suitable for permanent or temporary applications across various sectors.
- Sustainability: Fully removable and reusable, reducing environmental footprint.
- Immediate Loading: Piles can be loaded as soon as installation is complete, accelerating project timelines.
- Minimal Site Disruption: No spoil generation, noise, or vibration during installation.
- All-Weather Installation: Can be installed in wet, frozen, contaminated, or otherwise challenging ground conditions.
- Wide Soil Compatibility: Effective in sandy, silty, clay, and contaminated soils without risk of borehole collapse.
Quality Assurance
Rotabond ensures strict quality control throughout the installation process:
- Torque Monitoring: Real-time monitoring to validate design load achievement.
- Static Load Testing: Available on request to confirm pile performance against settlement and load criteria.
- Certified Installers: All operators and installation teams are fully trained and certified in helical pile system installations.
- Full Documentation: Installation records, compliance certificates, and load verification reports are provided for client assurance.
Rotabond’s technical expertise ensures that each project benefits from a tailored, compliant, and fully verifiable helical pile solution, delivering long-term performance and value.
For tailored advice, design support, and professional helical screw pile installation services, contact Rotabond at 0408 540 201. Our expert team is ready to assist with site assessments, detailed proposals, and full project execution.
