Knowing when your project requires a ground investigation is one thing but understanding which investigative technique to use is another story altogether. At Borehole Solutions, we’ve been specialising in these techniques for the better part of two decades. Through this extensive experience, we now offer virtually every form of sub-surface investigation. Today, our specialist team wanted to look at the most common, and the situations in which you might need them.
What Ground Investigation Services do we offer?
Trial Pits
Compared to alternative drilling techniques, trial pits are far simpler to carry out. They specialise in obtaining both disturbed and undisturbed samples and can be completed remarkably quickly. Trial pits require little to no equipment, therefore saving considerably on fuel, transport and hire costs. In fact, most of these pits are either dug by hand or with the help of a small digger.
Rotary Drilling
This ground investigation technique is suitable for a variety of projects. In fact, it’s used in everything from quarry and mining settings to the typical geotechnical environments that we specialise in. To bore through various substrates, a rotary drill bit is progressed using torque and rotation. The high frequency and speed of rotations make rotary drilling ideal for carving through soft and hard formations.
Cable Percussion Drilling
Cable percussion has long been the UK’s most common form of drilling. How does it work? To bore through the substrate, a hammer is attached to a cable which is repeatedly lowered into it. Cable percussion is effective across both consolidated and unconsolidated superficial formations. This is just one of the many reasons it’s become so popular amongst geotechnical drilling companies over the years.
Window Sampling
Window sampling uses a hydraulic drop-hammer to insert cylindrical rods and sample tubes into the ground to form a borehole. This ground investigation technique works best in smaller-scale sampling projects within superficial or weathered formations. Despite being a relatively cost-effective approach, it still delivers high-quality samples.
Sonic Drilling
Of all the investigative drilling techniques we offer, we’d argue that we’re saving the best for last. After all, it’s clean, quick, powerful, and more environmentally conscious than the previously mentioned forms of ground investigation. Sonic drilling is particularly suitable in overburdened areas or those with superficial deposits. It works by progressing the rig’s sonic heat downwards through the substrate. The vibrations emanating from this have a liquefying effect, loosening surrounding soil to enable faster and smoother drilling. A greater insight into sonic drilling can be found by clicking here!
Contact Us
At Borehole Solutions, we don’t just offer ground investigation techniques. In fact, our variety of geotechnical services sets us apart from many others within the industry. For a start, we provide water well drilling, soakaway installation, contamination testing, remediation, as well as rigs for hire. If you’d like to find out more about any of our services, then get in touch! Call us today on 01733 200501 or email info@boreholesolutions.com to reach our expert team.
