BESS Foundations on Screw Piles for Soft Ground

01 / WHERE VALUE APPEARS

The opportunity is not the screw. It is the civil work you can simplify.

The strongest candidates are sites where the foundation package is becoming disproportionate to the equipment it supports — especially when the same detail repeats dozens of times.

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Weak upper soils

Where a competent layer exists deeper, a modular foundation may allow the weak upper zone to be crossed rather than used as the bearing layer.

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High groundwater

Potential to reduce selected open foundation excavations and wet civil operations, subject to project-specific groundwater and corrosion checks.

×N

Repetitive layouts

A repeatable support detail can turn a one-off foundation idea into an installation system across a BESS block or whole site.

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Temporary infrastructure

Site offices, lighting, fences, gates and selected technical structures can be designed for demounting or relocation where the project requires it.

02 / INTERACTIVE BESS SITE

One site. Several foundation scopes.

Select a numbered area to see where MARTETIC can be considered. Not every element needs the same foundation strategy.

Click the numbered zones in the image. The foundation concept is confirmed only after the actual project inputs are reviewed.

03 / CHOOSE YOUR PERSPECTIVE

The same foundation decision has different consequences for each project team.

BEST STARTING INPUT

04 / DIFFICULT GROUND

Do not ask the weak layer to carry the BESS.

For difficult sites, the real engineering question is whether the weak upper zone can be crossed and a suitable deeper layer can be engaged at a practical depth.

Problematic soil = no catalog capacity

Uncontrolled fill, topsoil, soft clay, organic soil and loose / saturated sand are treated as problematic. They require additional investigation, extra depth, local improvement or project-specific verification.

S1 / S2

Target a confirmed bearing layer

Preliminary capacity ranges only become relevant when the soil scenario and working depth are supported by the actual geotechnical information.

HYBRID

Use the rational solution by equipment type

BESS and auxiliary structures may use screw foundations while heavy transformers, crane areas or OEM-mandated details remain conventional.

05 / MODULAR FOUNDATION SYSTEM

Configure depth to the project — not the project to one stock length.

V89 / V114

Modular families for deeper / higher-load applications

The concept uses a screw tip, one or more extensions and a separate structural flange. Exact product configuration and documentation are confirmed for the contracted project.

INTERFACE

Direct support or steel distribution frame

The structural interface follows the equipment support geometry. A steel IPE/HEA frame is introduced only where it is useful for load distribution, level control or OEM interface requirements.

INSTALLATION

Position, level and depth are controlled as project parameters

The foundation system is delivered as an installation scope, not simply as loose components. Access, tolerances and available installation records are defined before execution.

VERIFICATION

Project-specific engineering remains essential

Settlement, uplift, lateral loads, moments, group effects and corrosion are checked for the actual project. If verification testing is required by the designer or beneficiary, it is treated as a separate specialist project scope.

V89 · 3.0 m TOTAL DEPTH

Published preselection range

28–45 kNS1 compression≈ 2.8–4.5 tf

40–65 kNS2 compression≈ 4.0–6.5 tf

18–30 kNS1 uplift≈ 1.8–3.0 tf

26–44 kNS2 uplift≈ 2.6–4.4 tf

V114 · 3.0 m TOTAL DEPTH

Heavy-duty preselection range

40–65 kNS1 compression≈ 4.0–6.5 tf

60–90 kNS2 compression≈ 6.0–9.0 tf

25–45 kNS1 uplift≈ 2.5–4.5 tf

40–60 kNS2 uplift≈ 4.0–6.0 tf

Technical note: these are MARTETIC 2026 preliminary single-screw axial ranges at 3.0 m total depth. They are not characteristic values, allowable loads, design values or guaranteed capacities. 10 kN ≈ 1 tonne-force is shown only to communicate order of magnitude.

06 / WHAT CAN BE INCLUDED

One coordinated foundation package — or only the part your EPC needs.

Preliminary foundation concept

Screen the project before detailed civil engineering is committed.

Site / geotechnical review
Indicative family and depth strategy
GO / HYBRID / NO-GO

Products & installation

A controlled supply-and-installation scope for the selected foundation points.

Screws, extensions and flanges
Mechanised installation
Position / level / depth records according to scope

Steel interface & site infrastructure

Where required, the foundation package can extend beyond the screw itself.

IPE / HEA distribution frames
Temporary site infrastructure
Auxiliary and BOS support points

07 / DELIVERY LOGIC

A foundation should arrive as a sequence, not as a coordination problem.

Project inputs

GA, reactions, geotechnical profile and site constraints.

Preliminary decision

GO / HYBRID / NO-GO and an indicative foundation strategy.

Set-out & interface

Support points coordinated with equipment, steel and site services.

Installation

Mechanised installation, depth / position control and structural interface.

Handover

Scope-specific records and project documentation.

Mechanised executionReal MARTETIC field work.

MARTETIC steel frame and ground screw foundation installation

Repeated support geometryThe value grows when details repeat.

Modular / container interfaceRelevant experience for containerised equipment.

Variable terrainDepth and level are project variables.

Product & logisticsThe solution must be deliverable, not only conceptual.

08 / WHY MARTETIC

Built for site execution — not only product supply.

For a BESS project, the useful question is not only whether a ground screw exists. It is whether the complete foundation interface can be installed, controlled, documented and integrated into a repeatable construction sequence.

Foundation concept → products → mechanised installation → controlled handover

MARTETIC combines ground-screw products with installation equipment, site set-out and levelling capability, local site preparation, transport coordination and structural connection solutions. The exact project scope is defined before mobilisation.

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MECHANISED

Installation equipment matched to the project

Installation equipment and reducers are selected for the screw diameter, length, required installation torque, ground conditions and site access.

×N

SCALABLE

Designed for repetitive, high-volume layouts

Mechanised installation makes repetitive BESS grids commercially interesting. Daily productivity is established for the actual product configuration, soil, spacing, access and site logistics rather than promised as one universal number.

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CONTROLLED

Position, level, verticality and depth

The installation process checks the support axis, plan position, final level and verticality. After installation, the model, position, depth, level and available installation parameters can be recorded according to the contracted scope.

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TESTABLE

Project-specific load testing can be included

Where required by the designer, EPC or beneficiary, compression and uplift testing — and, where relevant, lateral testing — can form a separate specialist project scope. The test measures load–displacement response; the measured result does not automatically become the design load.

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DOCUMENTED

Product, lot, installation and test records

Depending on the exact selected product and contracted package, project documentation can include technical identification, DoP / CE information where applicable, traceability, fabrication / galvanizing documentation, installation records and a testing report when testing is contracted.

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SITE READY

Set-out, levelling, handling and steel connections

Laser set-out and levelling, Bobcat-supported local site work, product / equipment transport, unloading coordination and custom steel connection pieces can be integrated where they are part of the agreed project scope.

A BESS project should not depend on one impressive installation-speed claim.

For a real tender, MARTETIC can define an indicative production rate after the screw type, depth, ground, spacing, access, number of repeated points and logistics are known. That gives the EPC a usable programme assumption instead of a generic marketing number.

What the client can ask us to define

Indicative daily installation rate · required equipment · access envelope · installation sequence · control / records · steel interface · documentation package · optional testing scope.

09 / SCOPE CLARITY

Define the interfaces before they become site problems.

Interface	Typical MARTETIC contribution	Project team input
Ground	Foundation family / depth concept and installation scope	Geotechnical documentation, groundwater and site constraints
BESS equipment	Foundation layout coordinated to permitted support geometry	GA, reactions, anchoring and tolerance requirements
Steel interface	Flange / frame concept where included in scope	Structural design basis and OEM restrictions
Construction	Installation methodology, equipment and agreed records	Access, sequencing, work areas and HSE requirements
Verification	Product and installation documentation within contracted scope	Project-specific design acceptance; specialist testing if required

10 / FIT & LIMITS

A credible NO-GO is part of a credible foundation system.

STRONG CANDIDATE SIGNALS

Worth a preliminary review

Weak upper soil but a better layer exists at practical depth
Groundwater complicates conventional foundation excavation
Many repetitive BESS / auxiliary support points
Temporary infrastructure must later be relocated
Civil package or programme is already a project risk

POSSIBLE NO-GO / HYBRID SIGNALS

Do not force the solution

No suitable layer within practical installation depth
Rock, boulders or obstructions make installation impractical
OEM requires a non-negotiable conventional foundation
Flood, scour, liquefaction or erosion risks remain unresolved
Screw + steel package is not competitive after a site-specific comparison

Is your site worth screening?

0 / 6

High groundwater affects likely foundation excavation.Weak / uncontrolled upper soil is present.A better layer exists at a practical deeper level.The project has many repetitive support points.Civil works / programme are already a concern.You can provide equipment GA / reactions for a representative unit.

11 / ENGINEERING DISCIPLINE

Three things we will not sell as slogans.

SOFT SOIL

Not “works in any soft soil”

The value may be in crossing a weak upper layer to reach a suitable deeper stratum. If that stratum does not exist at a practical depth, the concept may not be suitable.

CAPACITY

Not “X tonnes per screw everywhere”

Published figures are preliminary ranges with declared soil and depth assumptions. Final project values are not copied from a catalogue.

CONCRETE

Not “zero concrete at any cost”

The goal is a better site-wide foundation strategy. A technically sound hybrid solution is preferable to forcing one technology onto every equipment type.

12 / PRELIMINARY PROJECT REVIEW

Send one representative BESS unit and the geotechnical report.

We can determine whether the site deserves a screw-foundation concept, a hybrid comparison or a conventional solution before significant engineering effort is spent in the wrong direction.

[email protected]martetic.com

MARTETIC · NZEB GROUP SRL

+40 720 452 788

[email protected]

martetic.com

Useful files for a first review:

• General arrangement / support drawing

• Equipment mass and support reactions

• Geotechnical report and groundwater information

• Site layout, access and conventional concept if available

Technical basis and limitations

Preselection ranges shown in this presentation are taken from the MARTETIC 2026 approximate load-bearing capacity catalogue and are intended only for preliminary technical discussion.
Final foundation design depends on the exact ground, structure, product configuration, installation parameters and applicable project requirements.
MARTETIC technical documentation describes mechanised installation, checking of support position / level / verticality, recording of available installation parameters, and project-specific compression / uplift / lateral testing when required and contracted.
Reference framework includes project-applicable geotechnical design requirements such as NP 123-2022 and Eurocode 7; exact standards and documentation are confirmed for each project.