Soil Screws

The CHANCE® Soil Screw® Retention Wall System reinforces the earth in conjunction with shotcrete facing to construct gravity walls. Its speed and bearing mode make this option a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to traditional soil retention systems. In this “soil nail” application, the CHANCE® Soil Screw acts in a bearing mode instead of a friction mode like that of a grouted anchor.

Faster soil nailing

The Soil Screw® system removes performance uncertainties and costs associated with grouted soil nails in low shear strength soils. You know the capacity of each screw because it is directly related to the amount of torque applied. These helical soil screws are easy to store, reusable and cut down on crew and equipment needed to anchor an engineered wall when repairing or installing a foundation. You know what that means: they cut down on cost, too.

Composition of the Soil Screw

Soil Screws® are generally seated at a shallower depth than helical tieback anchors when installed to retain similar soil masses. Bearing plates are spaced along the entire length of the helical screw anchor, and the true-spiral helices install with ease for minimal soil disturbance. Most importantly, the helical Soil Screw® Anchors are not tensioned after installation; they are passive elements. When the Soil Screw® Retention Wall System is installed, it holds the soil as a single mass of sufficient internal stability. Monitoring torque during installation accurately indicates expected holding capacity for predictable results.

Common equipment, such as mini-excavators and skid-steer loaders, can quickly rotate the soil screws into place. Anchor size and grid spacing are designed to local soil conditions and load requirements.

Advantages of using the CHANCE® Soil Screw® Retention Wall System:

• Lower installation costs vs. traditional methods
• Fast, clean installation
• No grout – immediate loading
• No spoils to remove
• Installs in limited access areas