Why Is Cable Percussion Drilling So Popular?

by | Jun 12, 2020

Cable percussion drilling has long been the most common form of drilling in the United Kingdom, if not the world. It has proven its worth as a drilling methodology time and time again, and its reliability is just one of the reasons why it has become so popular to geotechnical drilling companies.

The team here at Borehole Solutions, who have carried out more cable percussion jobs than they could count, wanted to talk about why it’s such a great means of drilling.

 

One of the Borehole team’s cable percussion drilling rigs in full flow.

What Is Cable Percussion Drilling?

Cable percussion drilling is relatively simple. A borehole is advanced downward using a cutter that is repeatedly lifted up and dropped down inside a borehole casing. The ‘cable’ part of the name comes from the fact that the cutter is attached to a cable; this cable is what’s used to lower the cutter further downwards through the borehole. Its simplicity, when paired with the overall quality of results it produces, goes a large part of the way in explaining its popularity.

 

Versatility

With cable percussion drilling, boreholes of various depths can be drilled up to 60 metres. Whilst the borehole is being progressed downwards, it can be stopped to carry out in situ testing that’s required. This testing may include SPT and permeability testing. This drilling method can be used in many different soil types, from cohesive soils through to harder rock. In looser substrates, where water may perhaps be present, borehole casings help ensure structural integrity whilst drilling. All in all, this means there are few substrates unable to be tackled by a CPD rig.

 

 

Easily Transported

Another reason that cable percussion drilling has become so popular is their ease-of-use and transport. Easily dismantled, percussion rigs can be towed behind a 4 x 4 vehicle. This, therefore, means they’re easily transported across the country to wherever they’re needed. Their distinctive tripod set-up leaves little impact on the surrounding landscape, making it one of the least disruptive forms of drilling available to geotechnical companies. Although the rigs themselves are sizeable (ruling them out of most space-restricted projects), they have crane attachments meaning they can be lifted into position if necessary, if a 4 x4 is unable to get the rig sufficiently into position.

 

Cost-Effective

Because this drilling method has been used so extensively in recent times, it’s now been made as efficient as possible. This is both from a time perspective and a financial one. This means it is a relatively cheap process when compared with many other augering methods. Borehole Solutions’ experience with this method means that clients not only receive a competitive quote for the work they receive, but they receive invaluable industry experience and know-how at the same time.

When you’re having any kind of geotechnical work carried out, you want to know that the work you’re receiving is of a premium quality. With Borehole Solutions, you know it will be. So, if you’d like to find out more about our cable percussion drilling, then get in touch! Contact Borehole Solutions today on 01733 200 501.