CASE STUDY
Client:
Build by Sets
Location:
Pitcombe, Somerset
Project:
Ground screw foundations for additional living accommodation
Install Team:
No More Digging South West England
The proposed development was located within a Tree Protection Area, meaning traditional excavated concrete foundations were not a suitable option due to the potential impact on protected tree roots.
The foundation system needed to achieve demanding structural load requirements while complying with planning conditions designed to preserve the surrounding landscape. Close collaboration between the structural engineers, project managers and installation team was essential to develop a solution that satisfied both the engineering specification and environmental constraints.
In addition, the project required exceptionally high load capacities, with serviceability loads of up to 74 kN, demanding rigorous testing and precise installation.
Working alongside the project engineers, No More Digging South West England designed, tested and installed a bespoke ground screw foundation system using RADIX extendable screw piles from the 76 mm and 89 mm ranges. A total of 18 screw piles, ranging from 6.2 metres to 8.2 metres in depth, were installed to achieve the required structural performance.
Installation was carried out using a tracked installation machine equipped with precision torque monitoring, allowing every pile to be installed to the specified torque values. Load testing was completed throughout the project, with foundations tested to in excess of 150 kN, more than double the required serviceability load of 74 kN. Installation torques exceeded 14,000 Nm, providing independent verification that the required capacities had been achieved.
By using deep ground screw foundations rather than concrete, the project successfully met the requirements of the Tree Protection Area while minimising excavation and disturbance to the surrounding root zone. The completed foundations now provide a robust, long-term base for the new accommodation, demonstrating how engineered ground screw solutions can deliver exceptional structural performance on environmentally sensitive sites where conventional foundations are simply not viable.
