Alaska soils.
Engineered for every one.
Ground screws perform in gravel, clay, silt, permafrost, organic peat, and even bedrock — with the right screw, tip, and depth for your site conditions.
Know your ground.
Ground screw performance depends heavily on soil type, moisture, and depth. Use this guide to understand what to expect at your site — then reach out for a project-specific sizing recommendation.
Gravel & Dense Fill
ExcellentExcellent for ground screws. High bearing capacity. Standard screw length usually sufficient.
Clay & Silt
GoodGood performance. Helical pitch designed to pack fine cohesive particles. May require longer screws.
Permafrost
ExcellentExcellent when installed correctly. Specialty tips required. Screw must reach below active thaw layer (typically 1–2m in Alaska).
Organic / Peat
Requires EngineeringRequires longer screws and closer spacing. May need structural engineering review. Common in wetland areas.
Sand
GoodWorks well with proper depth. Verify compaction and water table depth before install.
Bedrock
Requires Pre-DrillPre-drilling required. Rock-anchor adapter bonds screw into solid granite. Creates permanent, fully-loadable footing.
Alaska soil surveys by region.
Use the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey to look up official soil classifications, bearing capacity estimates, and frost depth data for your specific project location. Direct links by Alaska region:
Anchorage & MatSu
Interior & Southcentral
Seward & Coastal
Note: Soil survey data is a starting point. Always confirm site conditions with a qualified engineer for structural applications. Contact AKGS for project-specific screw sizing recommendations based on your soil type and frost depth.
Not sure what soil you're dealing with?
Send us your location and site description — we'll help you determine the right screw length, tip, and spacing for your ground conditions.