Screw Piers: Overview and History

What Are Screw Piers?

Screw piers, also called helical piers or screw piles, are steel foundation supports that are screwed into the ground to support structures. They have one or more helical plates, which allow them to anchor firmly into soil and transfer loads from buildings or other structures.

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History of Screw Piers

• Ancient Origins: The concept of screw-like foundations dates back centuries. Ancient engineers used screw-like mechanisms in water screws and piling, but modern helical piers have more precise engineering.

• 19th Century: In the 1800s, Alexander Mitchell, a British engineer, invented the first true screw pile. His design used iron shafts with circular plates at the bottom, which could be rotated into soft soils. Mitchell’s screw piles were first used in lighthouses and bridges in the UK, particularly in areas with unstable soil or waterlogged ground.

• 20th Century Expansion: Screw piles became more widely used in civil engineering for foundations, piers, and retaining walls. Steel manufacturing advances made it easier to produce durable piers capable of carrying heavy loads.

• Modern Use: Today, screw piers are widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial construction worldwide. Modern installations often use drive motors attached to a machine and piers are engineered to precise specifications for load capacity and soil type.

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Components of a Screw Pier

1. Steel Shaft – Transfers the load to the soil.

2. Helical Plates – The “screw” portion that anchors into the ground.

3. Bracket/Cap – Connects the pier to the structure.

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How Screw Piers Work

• Rotated into the ground using hydraulic drive motors with a excavator

• Helical plates draw the pier downward and displace soil to create a strong anchor.

• Weight from the structure is transferred deep into stable soil layers.

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Uses of Screw Piers

• Residential Foundations: New homes, extensions, decks.

• Underpinning: Stabilizing and lifting settled or uneven structures.

• Commercial & Industrial Projects: Foundations for light industrial buildings, solar panels, or temporary structures.

• Soft or Challenging Soils: Ideal where traditional concrete footings are difficult.