Geotechnical Drilling Bossier City What is Soil Composition in Geotechnical Drilling?

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Bossier City, Louisiana geotechnical drilling companies specialize in extracting soil and rock samples that can be used to determine ground composition. But what is earth composition, exactly and why is it important? Also, how is ground composition evaluated using geotechnical drilling?

Bossier City area natives may wonder about these and other similar questions, so that’s precisely what we’ll explore in today’s article.

How can you determine it with Geotechnical Drilling?
Bossier City engineers and developers need to understand the ground composition at a current or prospective building site so that they can make informed decisions on how to ensure structural stability and public safety.

Soil composition refers to the layers of soil which overlay the bedrock. Rocks, minerals, wells, oil deposits, gas deposits and underground voids may also be present in the subsurface terrain.

Soil is comprised of four basic components: Minerals, Organic matter, air and water.

The exact ratio of these four components varies dramatically from region to region, as does the precise type of minerals and organic matter. Generally speaking, a majority of the soil is comprised of minerals, with a small percentage of organic matter, and equal parts of air and water.

The amount and type of moisture and organic matter varies from location to location. For example, a forest area will have dense, heavy soil with a high percentage of organic matter and moisture.

Soil composition can vary dramatically amongst the different layers that sit above the bedrock at any given site.

Composition is not the only main variable. Soil also varies in its density and permeability, along with its ability to absorb and hold water. The soil’s density and ability to hold water is affected by the size and shape of the soil grains and the types of minerals and organic matter.

For example, the soil in one area may be comprised of large, irregular particles, with lots of space between the particles for air and water. In another region, the particles may be very fine and uniformly shaped, resulting in very dense soil with tightly-packed particles and little room for water or air between the particles.

The properties of the soil in a particular location can be affected by rainfall, groundwater flows, seasonal changes, climate, plant life, and natural events, such as earthquakes or floods.

Over time, new soil layers are deposited over old layers. So by digging down into the earth, scientists can gain vital insight into a location’s history, including changes in climate and environment.

Geotechnical drilling is used to extract samples from the earth. Some of the samples can be analyzed on-site, while others are sent out to laboratories for more comprehensive analysis.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Town ‘N Country Why Do You Need Soil Samples from Geotechnical Drilling?

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Town ‘N Country natives often ask about the uses for the soil samples – formally known as core samples – that are extracted from the ground during the geotechnical drilling process. There are actually a number of different uses for soil samples, which are extracted as a tubular “slice” from the ground.

What Information Do You Get from Soil Samples Extracted via Geotechnical Drilling?

Town ‘N Country clients can get a lot of valuable information from the soil samples that are extracted during a geotechnical drilling project.

One bit of information pertains to the soil layer composition, depth and thickness of each layer, along with the depth of the bedrock. Engineers and developers can use this information when planning a structure for a site. It’s critical that you ensure that the site’s ground is sufficiently stable and robust enough to support a large building or other structure.

Soil samples also provide information on the groundwater depth and the degree of saturation within the soil. Groundwater sources are often tapped by well companies, but they need to know how deep to drill in order to access that water. Additionally, the degree of soil saturation is also important because this can have a very significant impact on the ground’s overall stability.

It’s also possible for our geotechnical drilling crews to extract rock core samples, providing you with a sample of the limestone bedrock that sits beneath the Florida peninsula. In other areas of the country, the rock core samples can actually vary quite a bit, whereas the state of Florida sits atop a consistent layer of limestone bedrock.

Soil samples can also be used to determine if ground contaminants are present and if so, how deep those contaminants have seeped into the earth. This can be useful for remediation and clean-up efforts, as the crews will need to know how deep to dig in order to remove all of the contaminants.

With geotechnical drilling, Town ‘N County clients may find that the absence of soil is a key finding. This can indicate that you have penetrated an underground void that holds the potential to collapse, forming a sinkhole. So in cases where you come up with an unexpected lack of soil, this can be important because it allows the property owners to make a decision as to whether sinkhole remediation is required.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Sawgrass How Do You Choose a Firm to Perform Geotechnical Drilling?

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Sawgrass property owners should consider a number of different points as they find a geotechnical drilling firm to perform work at their site. Not all geotechnical drilling companies are equal and it’s important that you find the right firm for your unique needs. So what points should you consider when hiring a firm that specializes in geotechnical drilling? Sawgrass natives can consider the following.

Tips to Hire the Right Company to Perform Your Geotechnical Drilling

Sawgrass clients will want to begin by discussing their precise needs with the drilling firm. Geotechnical drilling is used to perform many different tasks, including:

  • Evaluating potential sinkhole sites
  • Performing investigations into contaminated soil
  • Determining the composition and integrity of a building site
  • Evaluating moisture content in the soil and identifying drainage issues
  • Determining the depth and quality of the underlying bedrock
  • Collecting soil samples and rock core samples
  • Evaluating the ground for the placement of underground structures

These are just some of the reasons why you may retain a geotechnical drilling firm to drill at your site. There are numerous types of geotechnical drilling rigs and each rig type is well suited to very specific project types. It’s important that the drilling firm that you select has the proper type of drilling rig and that the rig is available for the timeframe when you require it at your site.

 

Cost is certainly one consideration, but the firm’s experience and the overall quality of the work are other extremely important considerations to keep in mind. It may be worthwhile to read any ratings and reviews for the company you’re considering.

Additionally, you’ll want to determine the timeframe for the project so that you can make the appropriate accommodations. In cases where you need the job performed in a very timely manner, it may be possible to dispatch multiple drilling rigs to the site. This can reduce the timeframe for the drilling project in instances where multiple drilling sites are required.

We want to make sure you understand each step of the process. We are knowledgeable and dedicated in providing you the best possible service each and every time.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Ponte Verde What is a Site Investigation with Geotechnical Drilling?

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Ponte Verde clients can benefit from geotechnical drilling site investigations, which are comprehensive evaluations that are typically performed by geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists. These investigations are designed to obtain and evaluate information on the integrity and composition of the soil and rock at a particular site. So what is performed during a geotechnical investigation and why is this type of investigation performed? That’s precisely what we’ll explore in today’s article.

Ponte Verde property owners may arrange for a geotechnical investigation for a range of different project types. The geotechnical investigation will include an above-ground evaluation and a subsurface investigation, which is conducted using geotechnical drilling.

Geotechnical investigations can be used to evaluate the degree of thermal resistivity in the earth at a particular location. This is relevant for projects involving the installation or maintenance of underground oil pipelines, gas pipelines, transmission lines and even solar thermal storage facilities.

Soil sampling is also commonplace. So it’s common for the geotechnical drilling crews to extract core samples at a site to determine the composition, density, water content and other attributes. The soil sampling procedure can be performed using a large diameter boring or a small diameter boring.

Small diameter borings are most frequently used and they are the fastest and most cost effective option. But large diameter borings, while more dangerous and costly, can provide engineers and geologists to perform a comprehensive examination of the rock and soil stratigraphy.

A soil sample may be considered disturbed or undisturbed. An undisturbed sample is one that preserves the density and other structural properties of the earth, making it representative of the actual conditions in the ground. Undisturbed samples are more challenging to obtain, but they provide a bit more information than a disturbed sample. A disturbed soil sample involves a sample that has been moved about and rearranged sufficiently so as to make it unrepresentative of the actual conditions below the ground. But it can provide some important information, such as the soil grain properties and water content.

In addition to evaluating the soil, it’s also possible to sample the underlying bedrock, determining its depth, density and overall integrity, amongst other properties.

The information obtained from a geotechnical drilling investigation can reveal essential facts for developers and others who are performing work at the site, such as a sinkhole remediation crew or an underground pipeline installation crew.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Nassau Village Ratliff Sinkholes: Do you know the warning signs?

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Potential sinkhole sites are often identified by geotechnical drilling. Nassau Village Ratliff natives may also wonder what additional signs can be detected as an underground void forms, posing a serious danger of a future sinkhole. So that’s precisely what we’ll explore in today’s article.

The warning signs of a sinkhole are many and varied. And while many do invest in geotechnical drilling, Nassau Village Ratliff residents will typically see many other subtle signs in and around their home. In fact, in the case of a large sinkhole, you may see damage beyond just your home. The damage may impact other nearby homes as well, signaling the presence of a large void.

A sinkhole forms when an underground void forms and then collapses. In Florida, this void usually forms in the limestone bedrock, which is eroded by the mild acids that are present in the groundwater.

Some of the most common warning signs of a sinkhole include:

Cracks. The formation of cracks in your home’s walls – both interior walls and exterior walls. This is particularly problematic in cases where the damage is symmetrical (i.e. the entire western portion of your home appears to be sinking.)

Windows and doors. You may notice that your windows and doors start to jam and become more challenging to open or close. Homes with primarily pocket doors may not notice this issue, but traditional doors very often display this symptom of a shifting home.

Your yard. There are depressions or new dips forming in your yard, in your driveway or in the street. You may notice these depressions most when it rains, as you may notice flooding in an area that never flooded previously.

Driveway and walkway. Deep cracks form in paved areas, such as a driveway, street or walkway. This may be especially indicative of a potential sinkhole site in cases where the damage spans a large area (i.e. the crack extends into your neighbor’s driveway, showing that a large area has shifted.)

New shifting, sinking and other sinkhole danger signs are most common after a period of heavy rain, which adds to the weight of the earth that’s overlaying the underground void. This can place added pressure on the void, resulting in more and more degradation over time until it finally collapses into a sinkhole.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Jacksonville What Happens if You Find a Potential Sinkhole During Geotechnical Drilling?

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Jacksonville clients often wonder what happens if one of our geotechnical drilling crews encounters signs of an underground void, which could potentially be the site of a future sinkhole if that void were to collapse. Well, there are a number of different measures that you can take if our drilling experts encounter a potential sinkhole site.

What Can I Do if You Find a Sinkhole Danger Zone via Geotechnical Drilling?

Jacksonville property owners are immediately notified if we discover evidence of a potential sinkhole site. In virtually all cases, additional investigation is required in order to evaluate the size, depth and approximate dimensions of the underground void. This may entail some additional drilling, which can provide greater insight into the size and location of the void.

It’s also possible to use other techniques, such as ground penetrating radar, which is used just like aerial radar, except it evaluates the various densities at different depths in the ground. Ground penetrating radar can be used to determine the precise size and dimensions of the underground void.

Sinkhole remediation experts will evaluate the underground cavity, considering factors such as its depth, the size and the risk of collapse. The nature, size, location and overall integrity of the overlying structures will also be evaluated.

Once a void is located and evaluated, there are a few courses of action. One option is to simply monitor the void, looking for signs of progression toward a collapse into a sinkhole. It’s also possible to fill the potential sinkhole site with cement, thereby making it impossible for the void to collapse. One or more holes are drilled into the void and tubes are extended down and into the cavity, which is then pumped full of cement. Of course, the voids can be extremely large, so it’s not always practical or possible to pursue this option. We are the number one geotechnical drilling company in Florida. Contact us today and see how we can help you with all of your geotechnical drilling needs.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Franklin Town How Can You Evaluate Ground Contamination with Geotechnical Drilling?

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Franklin Town clients can turn to an experienced geotechnical drilling firm like Amdrill, Inc. for assistance in extracting soil samples that can be used to determine the extent and nature of contamination. Soil contamination can arise as the result of many different situations. The contamination may occur at the ground level, sinking down into the earth as the rain water draws it downward.

Soil contamination can also arise from an underground source, such as a buried storage tank, which could leak its contents into the surrounding earth over the course of weeks, months or years. But geotechnical drilling can provide a lot of useful insight that can guide your soil contamination cleanup efforts.

How Do You Gain Insight into Contamination With Geotechnical Drilling?

Franklin Town property owners can gain some important insight into the nature and extent of soil contamination through geotechnical drilling, which can be used to extract core samples. Core samples are collected in a tube of sorts, which captures a vertical column of earth. This core sample is then extracted from the earth and sent out for analysis.

Core samples can be evaluated for contamination, including the type of the contamination, the degree of contamination, the depth of the contamination and the geographical area that’s affected by the contamination. Based on this information, the property owner can devise a plan to clean up the contaminated soil.

The drilling experts can extract core samples from various locations throughout the site in question, providing a snapshot of the contaminated area. This can guide the clean-up efforts by providing insight into where and how deep they need to dig to extract the contaminated soil.

When hiring a firm to perform geotechnical drilling, Franklin Town property owners will need to provide information on the exact area to be investigated. The size of the area and the depth of the drilling operation will determine the timeframe and the cost for the project. But determining the exact location, depth and severity of the soil contamination can be critical for ensuring a prompt and effective clean-up operation.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Del Rio How Do You Identify Sinkholes With Geotechnical Drilling?

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Del Rio clients often enquire about geotechnical drilling and how it can be used to identify potential sinkhole sites. Florida is well known for its many sinkholes, which can destroy property and even claim lives. So how does a drilling operation help you to determine the site of a potentially devastating sinkhole? Well, that’s precisely what we’ll explore today.

Del Rio residents use geotechnical drilling as a relatively fast and cost-effective technique for locating the possible sinkhole site. The portable drill is transported to the location, where it begins to penetrate the ground, extracting a column of earth as it moves downward. This column of earth is called a core sample.

When the drill reaches an underground cavity, there is no earth collected in the core sample, leaving a gap. The drill operators will also notice a sudden drop off in the amount of resistance that the drill encounters while inside the cavity.

These underground cavities form in the bedrock as a result of erosion. In Florida, the bedrock is typically comprised of limestone, which is a very soft stone that actually dissolves when exposed to acids, such as those that are present in groundwater. This water erodes the stone, creating a pocket or void that typically increases in size with time.  When the pressure atop the underground void reaches a certain point, the void will collapse. The result is a sinkhole.

When opting for geotechnical drilling, Del Rio clients can get an idea of the underground void’s depth and approximate size. Additional testing equipment, such as ground penetrating radar, may be brought in to help provide a more precise idea of the dimensions.

Once a potential sinkhole is located, the property owners may opt to build elsewhere if it’s a future development site. In cases where a property resides over the void, it can be pumped full of cement, thereby preventing a collapse. It’s also possible to sink stabilization rods into the bedrock, with the other end affixed to the foundation to provide support if the sinkhole were to collapse.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Bryceville How Can You Determine Groundwater Content With Geotechnical Drilling?

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Bryceville developers and property owners can gain a lot of useful information from geotechnical drilling, including the amount of moisture in the earth and the overall groundwater content. In fact, there are underground water flows that can be used to supply a well, although these water flows can also impact the ground’s integrity and overall stability. But how does drilling help you to determine the groundwater situation? That’s precisely what we’ll explore in today’s article.

How Do You Get Moisture Content and Groundwater Information from Geotechnical Drilling?

Bryceville residents can gain a lot of valuable information from geotechnical drilling, including key information on the presence of underground water flows and the overall moisture content.

This information is primarily gathered from the core samples, which are vertical columns of soil that are extracted in a tube. The core samples have a lot of useful data. The analysts can determine moisture content and overall ground integrity, which is vital for developers who may need to alter their development plans accordingly.

Groundwater information is collected in a similar manner. Except moisture from groundwater arises far below the surface. The presence of an underground water flow, along with groundwater volume and location is especially important if a well will be constructed on-site.

In fact, experienced geotechnical drillers can even identify underground water flows by the amount of resistance their drilling equipment encounters. The alteration in the amount of resistance that the drill encounters can be very telling about the nature and composition of the earth on a particular site.

The earth’s moisture content is very relevant, as there is a direct correlation to the site’s drainage system (or lack thereof.) But beyond this, the moisture content impacts the ground’s stability and integrity.

Moist earth is prone to shifting and it can even undergo a phenomena known as liquefaction. The latter occurs when the ground is shaken or vibrated. The soil particles settle together, while the water rises to the surface. This can pose a major problem for structures.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Baldwin How Can Developers Benefit From Geotechnical Drilling?

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Baldwin developers can face a number of different obstacles when building a structure or development. But many of these issues can be side-stepped by evaluating the construction site, which can be performed using geotechnical drilling, amongst other techniques. In fact, geotechnical drilling can provide developers with some very important information that can impact the build in some very profound ways.

Baldwin developers can see a number of advantages from a geotechnical drilling operation. One benefit involves acquiring a knowledge of the ground composition and integrity. A drilling team can extract core samples that illustrate the nature of the ground layers, their depth and even the moisture content of those layers. This can provide engineers and developers with an idea of how stable the ground is and whether any special measures will be required to ensure that the building has good integrity.

Geotechnical drilling can also reveal the depth and quality of the bedrock that underlies the site in question. For situations where the developer is building an underground structure or a structure with a basement, this information is critical. Depending upon the depth of the bedrock, the developer may need to use different excavation techniques, as you cannot excavate bedrock in the same manner in which you may excavate soil.

In areas outside of Florida, there may be other stone types present, which can pose a challenge for developers. Fortunately, in Baldwin and other regions of Florida, the ground composition is quite consistent, with sandy soil overlaying limestone bedrock.

Developers can also gain a lot of insight into the presence and nature of any underground voids. These underground voids can pose a problem in terms of the ground stability and larger voids can collapse, resulting in the formation of a potentially deadly sinkhole.

Developers can gain information on not only the location and size of these underground voids, but they can also get a read on the overall quality of the bedrock. This can be useful for sinkhole remediation efforts, which can include running a rod from the foundation down into the bedrock to provide added stability. But the underlying bedrock needs to be of the proper integrity.

When it comes to geotechnical drilling, Baldwin developers can also gain information on the moisture content of the ground and the presence of groundwater flows. This can be useful if the site will be serviced with a well.

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