Geotechnical drilling is a specialized form of drilling that is intended to provide insight into the composition and integrity of the earth. Usually, drilling is performed prior to the construction of a new structure, such as a large building, bridge, bunker or parking garage.

When contracting a firm for geotechnical drilling, Balm developers can get some vital information about the ground composition and the overall integrity of the ground that’s underlying the site for a new structure.

This information can be essential in areas such as Florida, where the state is sitting atop a bed of limestone, with lots of sandy soil overlaying that stone. Limestone in particular is a stone that can be prone to problems by way of integrity and strength because acid rainwater can percolate into the ground, dissolving the limestone. This may cause the stone to deteriorate, making the site a poor choice for a large structure.

Underground water flows can even flush away that dissolved limestone, resulting in the formation of large cavities and voids. If a large building or other structure is constructed atop the void, it may collapse under the weight, resulting in a sinkhole.

Balm developers can get lots of useful insight from geotechnical drilling operations, which may also be performed alongside other ground investigation techniques such as ground penetrating radar.

When hiring a contractor to perform geotechnical drilling, Balm developers can expect the project to take anywhere from a day or two to several weeks or longer. The timeframe varies according to the size of the lot that is being investigated. Large drilling rigs are used to drill deep down into the earth. A hollow drill bit collects a large column of soil and stone which is extracted and brought up to the surface for testing. Called a core, these samples are sent off for analysis to determine the composition and thickness of the various layers, along with the integrity of the stone.

The drilling process can even lead to the identification of the underground voids that may leave the area prone to sinkholes. If these voids are discovered, sinkhole remediation efforts can be implemented to render the area stable. Contractors can drill into the voids, which are then pumped full of concrete so they are no longer at risk of collapse.

Once the firm has completed geotechnical drilling, Balm developers can provide the data to the project’s engineers and architects who can then design and engineer a structure that will be suitable for the site. The core samples may reveal conditions that necessitate certain limitations in terms of size and building materials. Additional measures, such as the insertion of metal anchor rods which are inserted deep into the bedrock, may be implemented to ensure the structure remains stable. If a structure is built atop unstable ground, it may shift, sink and crack over time. In extreme cases, the building or other structure could even be at risk of catastrophic collapse due to extensive structural damage.

*Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Amdrill Inc*