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Engineering workspace with screw pile design calculations
Engineering Tool

Screw Pile Capacity Estimator

Get a preliminary estimate of helical pile capacity based on soil conditions, pile size and embedment depth. For initial project planning and feasibility assessment.

Input Parameters

Describe Your Needs

Results

Select pile type, soil conditions and embedment depth, then click Calculate to see estimated capacity.

Rcal Compression (calculated capacity)
-- kN
Individual Bearing Method (Perko, 2009, Eq. 4.1)
Rcal Tension / Pullout (calculated capacity)
-- kN
Cohesionless: Meyerhof & Adams (RIL 230). Cohesive: conservative (= compression).
Rk Characteristic Resistance (compression)
-- kN
Rk = Rcal / ξ3 (RIL 254, ξ3 = 1.65)
Rd Design Resistance, Compression (GEO)
-- kN
Rd = Rk / γt (γt = 1.20, RIL 254 table 4.3)
Rd Design Resistance, Tension (UPL)
-- kN
Rd = Rk,t / γs,t (γs,t = 1.35 short-term, RIL 254 table 4.15)
Required Installation Torque
-- kNm
Treq = Rk / Kt (Kt = -- m-1)

Pile Configuration

Series--
Shaft diameter--
Helice diameter--
Helice net area Ah--
Embedment depth--
Soil type--
Helices--
ξ3 / ξ4--
γt / γs,t1.20 / 1.35
Kt--
Equiv. global FS--
Ground level 3.0 m

This is a preliminary estimate only. For verified load capacity and project-specific pile design, contact our engineering team.

Get Professional Design

Engineering Disclaimer This tool provides preliminary capacity estimates using the Individual Bearing Method (Perko, 2009) with design resistance per RIL 254-2016 (PO-2016) / EC7. Soil parameters are simplified typicals, not site-specific data. Structural capacity of the pile section is not checked. Results do not replace geotechnical investigation, pile design by a qualified engineer, or on-site verification through installation torque correlation and/or load testing. Paalupiste accepts no liability for designs based on these estimates.

How This Calculator Works

Individual Bearing Method

Geotechnical capacity per RIL 230-2007 / RIL 254-2016. Design resistance uses the EC7 partial safety factor method with Finnish National Annex correlation factors.

Cohesionless: Nq = 0.1766 × e(0.1592×φ), Kstanφ = 0.0012 × e(0.1536×φ). Cohesive: Nc = 9 (Skempton), α = 2/3. Tension: Meyerhof & Adams uplift method. Torque correlation: Paalupiste Kt values.

When to Use This Tool

  • Preliminary project feasibility assessment
  • Selecting the right pile size based on load
  • Comparing pile capacities across sizes
  • Understanding how soil type affects capacity

Limitations

This calculator does NOT cover:

  • Structural capacity (bending, buckling, shear, combined loading)
  • Corrosion allowance (wall thickness reduction over service life)
  • Weld checks (helice-to-shaft connection)
  • Multi-layer soil model (uses single soil type over full depth)
  • Lateral loads and lateral pile capacity
  • Group effects and pile spacing interaction
  • Serviceability limit state (settlement)
  • Seismic or dynamic loading

For Verified Capacity

Paalupiste provides professional pile design services including geotechnical analysis, installation torque correlation and load testing verification. Our engineering team works with your project data to deliver verified, site-specific designs.

Contact our engineering team →

01444 223 755 hello@ukhelix.com