Geotechnical Drilling St. Johns Where Can You Perform Geotechnical Drilling?

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Geotechnical drilling technicians in St. Johns are dispatched to a wide variety of different locations and really, when it comes down to it, there are very few locations that are off-limits to an experienced, highly trained team of drilling technicians.

So when it comes to the question of where you can perform geotechnical drilling, St. Johns technicians with our firm would provide a short answer “virtually anywhere!”

Where is it Possible to Perform Geotechnical Drilling?

St. Johns geotechnical drilling technicians are accustomed to drilling in some tight spaces. When most people think of a drilling project, they usually envision an oil drilling rig in a field in Texas or one of the ocean oil drilling rigs located offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

But the reality is that Amdrill’s experienced and highly trained techs are often faced with some very challenging drilling projects, especially in a city or suburban environment in St. Johns and the surrounding region.

Our team has drilled inside large buildings, such as warehouses or large garages. We have some fairly compact drilling rigs that even allow us to drill inside commercial structures. This may be done to evaluate the stability of the underlying ground, particularly in an area that has seen some unexplained ground shifting.

Something as simple as a fence or a narrow space between two buildings can also pose a challenge as many drilling rigs are vehicle-mounted. Amdrill has several truck-mounted drilling rigs on vehicles of varying sizes. But in addition, we also have rigs on other vehicles, including ATVs and small vehicles with a track system, similar to what you would see on snow mobile or military tank. These different vehicles allow us to access drilling sites that are impossible to reach with a truck or on foot.

We even have amphibious vehicles and boat and barge-mounted drilling rigs for marine drilling and drilling in wetlands and other hard to access environments. This is ideal for those who are seeking to learn more about the ground composition in a remote area. We even have a remote controlled bot vehicle that lets us access and drill in areas that are challenging to access on these other vehicles.

There are many different sizes of portable drilling rigs and different drill bits. The nature of your project will dictate which will best serve you. The various rigs can drill to varying depths, creating holes of different diameters.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Union Park What are the underground layers you may drill through when doing geotechnical drilling

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Union Park geotechnical drilling crews often receive questions concerning precisely what’s underground. In fact, most are unfamiliar with the different layers that comprise the ground beneath our feet.

So let’s take a look at the earth’s layers, how they differ and what layer(s) you can expect to encounter while performing geotechnical drilling. Union Park natives often ask about what layers are involved in a drilling project and what comprises those layers.

Union Park geotechnical drilling crews focus on the very outermost layer, called the earth’s crust. It’s the thinnest layer which can range from 5 to 25 miles thick on land and as little as 3 to 5 miles thick in the regions beneath the oceans. It’s comprised primarily of basalt and granite.

At the deepest points of the crust, the temperatures raise to 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. Drilling operations never go below this level. This is due to the heat and pressures encountered at deeper levels, combined with the challenging logistics of operating drilling equipment that extends miles underground!

Beneath the earth’s crust is the mantle, which is comprised of soft, hot stone that moves in a manner similar to hot asphalt. This layer is about 1,800 miles thick. It can range in temperature from 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit, with the temperatures getting hotter the deeper you go.  It’s believed that the hot stone moves in “convection currents.”

Below the mantle is the outer core, which is comprised of liquid metals like iron and nickel. The temperatures range from 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit to 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The outer core is about 1400 miles thick.

At the very center of the earth is the core, with extreme temperatures of 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. The core begins at a depth of 4,000 miles below the earth’s crust and it has a diameter of approximately 760 miles. For comparison, the inner core is about 7/10 the size of the moon.

Due to the extreme pressures at the earth’s core, the metals cannot move as a liquid so they’re in a state that’s more like a solid. The pressures are estimated to be 45 million pounds per square inch – that’s 3 million times the pressure you experience at sea level. If you could travel to this depth, you would be compressed to the size of a marble or smaller by the extreme pressures.
Scientists are not certain of the composition, but it’s believed the inner core is comprised of a nickel-iron alloy.

Of course you’ll never reach this depth when performing geotechnical drilling. Union Park drilling projects will only ever go into the very upper portion of the crust. One drilling team in the Indian Ocean did try to drill into the mantle in early 2016, but they were unable to reach this layer. They did drill the deepest “single leg” hole into hard rock by reaching a depth of 789 meters and their drill hole was the fifth deepest ever drilled into the crust under the ocean.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Sky Lake What is limestone and what does it mean for geotechnical drilling?

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Sky Lake geotechnical drilling clients frequently ask about what kinds of materials they’ll encounter during the drilling project. In Sky Lake and in many other regions of Florida and the southern United States, the bedrock is comprised of limestone, which has its benefits and its drawbacks.

So what is limestone and what does it mean for a project involving geotechnical drilling? Sky Lake drilling techs will explore that topic in today’s article.

Sky Lake geotechnical drilling projects frequently reach down to the bedrock, which is typically comprised of limestone in this part of the country.

Limestone is a sedimentary rock, which means that it forms when sand, silt, shells, minerals and other underground substances are pressed together over time. Limestone commonly forms in warm, shallow ocean waters, where coral, shells and organic debris are compressed together, along with calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is typically the primary constituent of limestone. In fact, limestone is, by definition, a stone with at least 50 percent calcium carbonite. It may also contain other stones and minerals, like quartz, siderite, pyrite and feldspar.

Limestone and other sedimentary rocks frequently have shells, coral and even skeletons of animals and plants are captured as fossils. This type of rock tends to be quite soft and it often forms with distinctive, clear layers.

There are many types of limestone, including travertine, tufa, oolitic limestone, lithographic limestone, fossiliferous limestone, coquina (common in Florida coastal areas, where you see limestone with lots of small shell particles) and chalk limestone.

Limestone can also form as the result of evaporation. Water carrying minerals and calcium carbonate flow into a cave or cavern and the water evaporates, leaving the calcium carbonate or minerals behind. When they drip down and form an icicle-like formation, it’s called a stalactite. If the water drips onto the floor of a cavern and the icicle-like formation grows up from the floor, it’s called a stalagmite.

Limestone can be quite crumbly and fractures relatively easily, which can be a problem in terms of stability. Florida’s sandy soil allows water to pass through with ease and ultimately, it seeps down into the limestone bedrock, where it can dissolve when exposed to even mild acids that are found in groundwater. This can result in underground voids that may collapse into a sinkhole. This is one potential use of geotechnical drilling. Sky Lake natives may hire a geotechnical drilling firm to explore the integrity of the limestone bedrock in a particular location, especially if there are signs of instability that can be linked to sinkholes.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Pine Hills What can engineers learn from geotechnical drilling?

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Pine Hill geotechnical drilling companies frequently work with engineers and engineering firms, performing a site investigation and gathering data on the engineers’ behalf. In fact, geotechnical drilling projects very frequently involve some degree of collaboration with an engineering firm.

So in today’s article on geotechnical drilling, Pine Hills drilling experts will explore what engineers can learn from a drilling operation and why this is important for a range of different projects, from a private residential development, to a municipal building project to a major industrial build.

What type of data can engineers glean from geotechnical drilling?

Pine Hills engineering firms can get lots of vital data about a site, including its overall stability, its suitability for a particular type of structure or usage and insight into what retrofitting and modification measures will be required to ensure a location’s long term stability and overall integrity.

For building sites – whether it’s for a home, a large commercial or industrial structure or a large structure such as a bridge, dam or monument – engineers need comprehensive data about the soil composition, consistency and classification. It’s also critical to know what kind of bedrock underlies a particular location and the overall integrity of that bedrock, as some large structures have stabilization rods that extend down deep into the bedrock.

Engineers also need information about the groundwater and water table depth, the location of any underground water flows and aquifers. This can prevent unexpected flooding and even dangerous collapses of the earthen walls while digging a foundation or another underground structure.

Municipal engineers and even the Army Corps of Engineers routinely use geotechnical drilling to help evaluate a range of conditions, including groundwater saturation, flood risk and the stability of levees, dams and embankments (particularly those that are used as part of a drainage plan. The information gathered through a drilling operation can help engineers to develop a plan that minimizes risk, improves safety and reduces costs.

For engineers overseeing other projects, such as engineers for an oil company or well company, can also benefit from working with a geotechnical drilling firm as drilling can be used to gather vital data about the location of underground water, oil and natural gas deposits. Mining companies also call upon drilling firms to help evaluate the ground integrity and composition to ensure continuing stability and a maximized return on investment.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Pine Castle What are the soil horizons?

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Pine Castle geotechnical drilling clients are often curious about precisely what’s beneath their feet. In fact, most know relatively little about the geologic landscape that exists within such close proximity to our world.

The soil that sits beneath our feet is divided into a number of layers called “horizons.”  Each horizon is a distinct layer and it’s not uncommon to drill into most or all of these layers when performing geotechnical drilling. Pine Castle natives can read on to learn more about these different layers.

How do soil horizons effect geotechnical drilling?

Pine Castle geotechnical drilling projects can vary depending upon the soil composition and stone composition, among other factors. Regardless of the predominant soil type, the horizons are typically present in all locations.

So what are the soil layers or “horizons?”

O Horizon – Also called humus, this is the very top layer of earth, comprised of nutrient-rich organic debris that’s in the process of being turned into actual soil.

A Horizon – Also known as the topsoil layer, this horizon is where a majority of plant roots are situated; only a portion go deeper than this layer. A horizon is usually a blend of humus and particles of sand, minerals and silt.

E Horizon – Also called the eluviation layer (or “leaching layer”), this horizon is primarily comprised of sand and silt. Water tends to flow through this layer with ease since it contains little clay, few minerals and virtually no organic matter.

B Horizon – Also called subsoil, this layer is typically rich in mineral and clay deposits, which form as the water brings minerals down from the upper layers. This layer can contain fairly small chunks of stone and mineral, including iron, calcium carbonate and aluminum oxide. This is typically the deepest layer where you’ll find roots (and usually only for the very largest trees).

E Horizon – Also known as regolith, this layer is comprised of very rocky soil, with large stones broken off from the bedrock that sits below. Plant roots are never found in this layer and it contains very little organic material.

R Horizon – Also called bedrock, this layer is more or less solid rock. The composition of the bedrock does vary by location. In Florida and much of the south, the bedrock is comprised of limestone, which is quite soft.

If you’re seeking to learn more about the composition of the bedrock and other layers, you can invest in geotechnical drilling. Pine Castle natives often turn to drilling when evaluating the suitability of a site as a possible location for a structure or to investigate the possibility of sinkholes.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Orlando What are the different types of rocks you may encounter during geotechnical drilling?

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Orlando geotechnical drilling companies often encounter lots of different types of soil and even some different types of rock when performing a drilling operation. So that leaves many wondering about the various types of rock, how these rocks form and what it means for a project that involves geotechnical drilling.

Orlando natives can read on to learn more about sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks and how they differ.

Geotechnical drillers in Orlando and other Florida natives can typically expect to encounter primarily sedimentary rock, which is formed from particles of sand, shells, coral and small stones. Pressure and time compress the sediment into a stone, which is typically found to have layers. Many layers contain fossils.

Sedimentary rock tends to be fairly soft and easy to drill through. Some forms of sedimentary rock will crumble and fracture quite easily. This makes for a fairly quick, easy and less expensive geotechnical drilling process, although this rock can lack the stability found in other forms.

Sedimentary rock is perhaps the most plentiful in Florida, which is rich with sandstone – lots of which contains fragments of shell and coral. The entire Florida peninsula is also situated atop a limestone bedrock. Many forms of limestone are considered sedimentary rock. This is part of what contributes to Florida’s propensity for forming sinkholes, as the water dissolves and eats away at the soft limestone, resulting in underground voids that ultimately collapse.

Metamorphic rock, which, as the name implies, evolves and changes when exposed to underground heat and intense pressures.

Metamorphic rocks can range from moderate to extreme hardness and the degree of difficulty that you may encounter when drilling into this type of stone.

Marble and gneiss are two examples of metamorphic rock, which commonly has “ribbons” and crystals embedded within. Some also consider granite – one of the world’s hardest stones – to be a metamorphic rock, although this has been a point of debate. It is now widely believed that granite is an igneous rock.

Igneous rock forms when molten rock – magma – cools and gradually hardens. This can occur underground or above ground at the site of a volcano. The very word “igneous” is derived from a Latin word for “fire”.

Obsidian and basalt are two examples of igneous rock. Lava is also considered an igneous rock. Some types of igneous rock can contain crystals, while others are glass-like in appearance and texture. Diamonds are one type of mineral that is found in igneous rock.  Igneous rock can range from moderate to extreme hardness, which can make for moderate to challenging geotechnical drilling. Orlando and other regions of Florida feature relatively little igneous and metamorphic rock.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Meadow Woods How do you evaluate embankments and levees with geotechnical drilling?

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Meadow Woods geotechnical drilling clients turn to our firm for lots of different projects, from evaluating the suitability of possible construction site, to detecting underground voids that could collapse into sinkholes.

Another application for geotechnical drilling involves the evaluation of levees and embankments. So how do you do this with geotechnical drilling? Meadow Woods drilling technicians took a few minutes to address this question in today’s article.

Meadow Woods geotechnical drilling technicians may need to evaluate an embankment, levee, dam or other earthen structure to determine the overall stability and determine whether additional measures are required to ensure safety and efficacy.

Some of these drilling projects are performed right as the levee, dam or embankment is being put into place, while others are performed on existing structures to help determine if intervention is required. This is especially important when you consider the essential nature of these structures, which can help promote proper drainage and prevent flooding in certain regions.

While an embankment or levee is under construction, you must compact the earth thoroughly and uniformly to avoid deterioration and poor performance in the future. Unfortunately, it can be quite challenging to determine if this type of structure has been properly constructed and compacted without the use of drilling.

When determining if you will perform geotechnical drilling, the firm must evaluate the location as the drilling operation can cause instability that could actually cause failure. One major risk arises from something known as hydraulic fracturing, which occurs due to stresses in the bore hole due to drilling fluid pressure, among other factors.

Another very preventable problem can arise if an inexperienced geotechnical drilling crew backfills a completed bore hole with drill cuttings, as is common practice for many drilling efforts. Instead, a drilling project on a dam, embankment or levee must utilize bentonite pellets or chips or a tremie cement/bentonite and sand grout to ensure stability.

The need for data must exceed or at minimum, justify the potential risk. Having an experienced geotechnical drilling team can greatly minimize your risk of damage or other issues, but even the best, most experienced drilling technicians can encounter problems.

It’s also important to remember that you must plan ahead to allow for your drilling plans to be reviewed and approved by the safety and oversight authorities in the case of a project involving a dam or levee.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Lake Hart Do I really need to perform geotechnical drilling?

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Lake Hart geotechnical drilling technicians can help you gain a lot of insight into what lies beneath your feet. This is especially true for developers who retain the services of a geotechnical drilling firm on a relatively regular basis.

Geotechnical drilling can come with a significant price tag, depending upon the extent and nature of the geotechnical investigation that’s being performed. So how do you justify this line item to your clients? Well, by fully understanding the benefits of geotechnical drilling, Lake Hart developers can offer a compelling argument that will enable them to secure the necessary funding form the client or investors.

A Look at Why Developers Need Geotechnical Drilling

Lake Hart geotechnical drilling crews can help you learn a lot of insight into the nature of a potential building site. In fact, in some regions, and for some projects, geotechnical drilling efforts are actually required in order to obtain a building permit. In other cases, the geotechnical drilling operation may be required indirectly, as you may need to perform a site investigation with soil and bedrock analysis – something that is best done with a drilling operation.

While some drilling rigs are quite large and take the better part of a day or even longer to get set-up on the site, others smaller drilling rigs – better known as augers – can be operated and relocated by a single person. There are also mobile drilling rigs, which are mounted on vehicles or on portable trailers.

Geotechnical drilling is used to perform a few basic tasks, including:

  • Gathering soil samples
  • Gathering rock and bedrock samples
  • Evaluating ground composition
  • Evaluating ground stability and strength
  • Identifying potential problem areas such as underground voids that may collapse into a sinkhole

In the case of a building project, it’s typical to perform drilling at various locations, particularly locations for the structure’s foundation, structural supports and caissons. If you were to dig into the ground in a bad location or if you were to place the structure in a bad location, the ground could collapse or sink, resulting in major structural damage either during the construction process or potentially, several years down the road. This could lead to major construction delays, the loss of the structure or costly retrofitting.

Lake hart geotechnical drilling workers may also be used to identify underground deposits of resources such as water, oil and natural gas.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Conway What kinds of soil could you encounter while performing geotechnical drilling?

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Conway geotechnical drilling crews will encounter lots of different underground materials, including soil, stone, minerals and even underground structures such as caverns and voids. The composition of the earth in any given location can have a major impact on the overall stability of the site and its suitability for certain types of structures or construction projects.

One of the most significant variables is soil type, as this can have a major impact on geotechnical drilling. Conway geotechnical drilling experts will explore the various types of soil and how they differ.

Conway and the surrounding region is known for having fairly sandy soil. But this is just one of many different varieties. Let’s examine the various soil types and how they impact your drilling project and the overall stability of your land.

Clay Soil – Clay soil has very fine particles. This is a very dense soil, which can hold a lot of water. It’s also slow to drain. It’s known as being very good for retaining nutrients, so it can be quite fertile. The thick, dense nature of this soil can make for challenging drilling.

Sandy Soil – Sandy soil has the largest particles of all soil types and it’s one of the most challenging for growth as it’s poor in nutrients and the large gaps between the particles means this type of soil does not hold water well; it tends to drain through sandy soil. Sandy soil is prone to crumbling and erosion.  Sandy soil is common in Conway and the surrounding region.

Silty Soil – Silty soil is smooth and silky in texture. Silty soil tends to be prone to compaction, although when aerated, it can be wonderful for planting and growing.

Loamy Soil – Loamy soil features a combination of clay, sand and silt. It’s often used for crops, as it retains water and nutrients quite well.

Peat Soil – Peat soil is very rich in organic material such as bits of plants. This soil type can retain lots of water, but it’s also quite fertile. Its thick, clumpy nature can make drilling a challenge.

Chalky Soil – Chalky soil contains lots of limestone and chalky stone fragments. It’s actually known for drying out very quickly and when wet, it can be “sticky,” resulting in a tricky drilling operation.

Saline/Salty Soil – Saline soil is found primarily in dry, desert climates that see little rain. This type of soil often has a white salty layer on the top. It’s very dry and water tends to flow over the surface instead of soaking in, resulting in a propensity for flash floods.

These are the most common types of soil that you may encounter while performing geotechnical drilling. Conway natives may wish to speak with their drilling technicians if they’re seeking to learn more about the ground composition and soil type in the local region.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Azalea Park What is a Water Table?

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Azalea Park geotechnical drilling companies frequently encounter something known as the “water table,” as Florida is well-known for having a high water table. In fact, this high water table, combined with the very sandy soil that’s commonplace throughout this southern state is the reason why most Florida homes do not have a basement.

So what is the water table and why is it important to know precisely where this water table is located using geotechnical drilling? Azalea Park natives can read on to learn more!

How is the water table located with geotechnical drilling?

To understand the water table and how it impacts construction projects, it’s important to understand what composes the ground beneath your feet. There are a number of layers of soil – in the case of Florida, rather sandy soil – overlaying the bedrock.

Florida’s sandy soil is significant because it does not hold water very effectively, in large part due to the large size of the soil grains. As a result, water tends to flow through these sandy soil layers, whereas other soil types – particularly clay-rich soil – have a high water content. In areas with clay-rich soil, the water is more evenly distributed throughout the various soil layers. But in Florida and in other areas with sandy soil, the water sinks down to the bedrock.

Soil can only hold so much water. There will come a point when the soil reaches its saturation point, meaning it cannot hold any more water. The water table is the name for this zone of saturation.

Azalea Park geotechnical drilling can be used to determine the water table level, which is important because when you reach this level, construction becomes challenging and the soil stability is compromised. Think of digging a trench in heavily saturated sand; the walls of the trench would be prone to collapse. The same thing occurs when trying to dig a foundation for a structure; the walls would be more prone to collapse.  Therefore, if the depth of the foundation is deeper than the water table, you’ll need to make special accommodations to ensure that the construction process is safe and the finished structure is water tight.

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