Investigation on the Use of Screw Pile Technology for Rapid Installation of Post-Earthquake Prefabricated House Buildings

Turkey, located on one of the world’s most active fault lines, frequently experiences major earthquakes. The 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes (Mw 7.6 and 7.7) caused significant destruction and housing shortages. Post-disaster shelters are often provided using containers, which require flat and solid ground. This typically involves pouring concrete foundations, but high demand for materials and labor hinders rapid installation. This study investigates screw piles as an alternative foundation system for container settlements. Screw piles can eliminate the need for concrete, offering a faster, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution. Finite element analyses using Abaqus were conducted to assess the structural behavior of container foundations with screw piles under real earthquake records. Additionally, a decision-making analysis based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process compares screw piles and concrete foundations in terms of cost, time, sustainability, and safety. Results show that screw piles reduce structural responses and are a more feasible post-disaster foundation solution.