Foundations · Pile capacity
Helical (screw) pile capacity calculator
Compression capacity as the sum of helix bearing (c Nc + q′ Nq) plus torque-correlated capacity for comparison.
Standard: Individual plate bearing method · torque correlation (Perko)
Inputs in the worked example
The live calculator starts with these values; change any of them and every result, check and diagram updates instantly.
| Input | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Helix diameter | 450 | mm |
| Number of helices | 2 | |
| Depth of lowest helix | 6 | m |
| Helix spacing | 1.35 | m |
| Undrained strength / c′ | 0 | kPa |
| φ′ | 32 | ° |
| Effective unit weight | 10 | kN/m³ |
| Installation torque | 15 | kNm |
| Torque factor Kt | 23 | 1/m |
| Factor of safety | 2 |
Worked example — results
| Result | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Helix area | 0.159 | m² |
| Nq | 23.18 | |
| Mean helix depth | 5.33 | m |
| Σ Ah (9c + γ z Nq) | 392.6 | kN |
| Torque capacity Kt T | 345.0 | kN |
| Allowable min(Qh, Qt)/FS | 172.5 | kN |
- ✓ Helix spacing ≥ 3D
- ✓ Methods within factor 2
Method, formulas and assumptions
- Helix area = PI()*(450/1000)^2/4 = 0.15904 m²
- Nq = EXP(PI()*TAN(RADIANS(32)))*TAN(RADIANS(45+32/2))^2 = 23.177
- Mean helix depth = 6-(2-1)*1.35/2 = 5.325 m
- Σ Ah (9c + γ z Nq) = 2*0.15904*(9*0+10*5.325*23.177) = 392.57 kN
- Torque capacity Kt T = 23*15 = 345 kN
- Allowable min(Qh, Qt)/FS = MIN(392.57,345)/2 = 172.5 kN
Related foundations calculators
- Pile axial capacity (layers, AS 2159 φg) — Shaft and base resistance through layered sand (SPT N) and clay (su), with the AS 2159 geotechnical…
- Negative skin friction (downdrag) — Drag load on a pile from a settling layer (fill over soft clay) by the β method, and the maximum axial force…
- Rock-socketed pile: capacity and settlement (Rowe & Armitage) — Bored pile socketed into rock below a soil overburden. Socket side resistance f = k√qu (Rowe & Armitage: k =…
- Pile capacity and settlement from CPT (LCPC method) — Pile designed directly from a cone penetration test, as in the GEO5 Pile CPT program. The equivalent base…
- Neutral plane, drag force and downdrag settlement (unified method) — Single pile through settling ground. The load curve (dead load plus accumulated negative friction from the…
- Rock-socketed pile — Socket shaft resistance from rock UCS, base resistance as a multiple of qu, geotechnical reduction factor φg.
- Micropile (grout–ground bond + structure) — Bond length capacity and the structural capacity of grout plus bar (ASD 0.4f′c, 0.47fy).
- Driven pile capacity from SPT (Meyerhof) — Shaft friction layer by layer from SPT N and base resistance from N at the toe with the embedment into the…
For preliminary design and education. Check every result against the current standard and your own engineering judgement before use.