Geotechnical Drilling Arlington Why is Florida Prone to Sinkholes?

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As a firm specializing in geotechnical drilling, Arlington area residents routinely contact us to perform drilling as part of a sinkhole investigation and remediation effort. In fact, most are aware that Florida is very prone to sinkholes and a fair number of these underground voids are discovered via drilling projects. But why is Florida considered the nation’s capital for sinkholes? Well, that’s precisely what we’ll explore in today’s article.

When performing geotechnical drilling, Arlington residents often start wondering why this region is so prone to sinkholes. After all, other regions of the nation rarely see sinkholes, but in Florida, they’re actually quite commonplace. So what gives?

Well, it all comes down to Florida’s unique geology. The entire peninsula of Florida is perched atop a limestone bedrock. This limestone bedrock is topped by a sandy soil that is interspersed with chunks of coral rock. This sandy soil is a bit problematic, because water moves down through the soil with much greater ease than it would if you were dealing with clay-rich soil. This has an impact when you consider the following fact.

Limestone is a very soft rock and it dissolves with relative ease when exposed to acid, even mild acids. So acid rain can percolate down through the sandy soil and into the groundwater flows. As the water percolates through the soil, it also rinses the mild acids that are found in the soil, bringing them into contact with the limestone bedrock.

The result is dissolving limestone, which is rinsed away by the underground water flows, leaving a cavity behind. This cavity or void grows larger and larger with time, and ultimately, it collapses, resulting in a sinkhole.

It’s Florida’s sandy soil, combined with lots of rain and limestone bedrock that leaves the peninsula prone to sinkholes. Locating potential sinkholes is one of the many functions of geotechnical drilling. Arlington property owners who identify signs of an impending sinkhole, such as ground movement and depressions in the earth can turn to a geotechnical drilling team and sinkhole remediation firm to investigate and resolve the issue.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Timberlane Geotechnical Drilling can help detect underground voids

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Timberlane property owners and developers alike may call in a local geotechnical drilling firm to oversee the extraction of multiple core samples, which can be helpful in determining the safety of a site and its suitability for a particular building project or development.

Let’s take a look at what geotechnical drilling entails and how this drilling technique is utilized.

What is Geotechnical Drilling?

Timberlane property owners can use geotechnical drilling services as a cost-effective method for evaluating a property in terms of safety and suitability for a building project.

In the case of the future site of a development, builders and architectural engineers will need to confirm that the ground has the right density and is free of defects such as voids that could potential lead to the formation of sinkholes. Core samples — vertical columns of earth that are extracted through the drilling process — are sent out for analysis to determine information such as:

  • the composition of the earth;
  • the quantity, depth and composition of the various layers;
  • the integrity of the underlying bedrock;
  • the water content of the earth;
  • whether there are any underground voids present in the areas that were drilled (to get a complete view of the area, you need to use a method such as ground penetrating radar.)

Geotechnical drilling can also be used in cases where an underground void (and potential sinkhole site) is suspected, with signs such as newly formed dips and depressions in the ground. If there is already an existing structure on the site, there may be cracking observed on the foundation or even on the walls as the building sinks unevenly.

If an underground void and potential sinkhole site is discovered through geotechnical drilling, a sinkhole remediation team can be called in to fill in the hole with cement or any overlaying structure can be reinforced by running massive “pins” from the foundation to the bedrock, serving as a support even if the ground falls away.

If you’re in Timberlane, geotechnical drilling services are available to property owners, developers and others who are seeking assistance. The timeframe for a geotechnical drilling project does vary according to the exact nature of the project, the size of the site, the number of drilling sites and core samples that are required, the depth of the drilling and the composition of the ground that you’ll be drilling into. Some projects can take just a couple days to complete, while others with multiple drilling sites may take weeks.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Poydras What Should I Expect If I Hire a Firm to Perform Geotechnical Drilling?

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Poydras, Louisiana is a popular location for new building projects both residential, commercial and even industrial in nature. But some projects require a bit of investigation into the integrity and quality of the earth at the location. This is where you can benefit from calling in a company to perform geotechnical drilling.

an overview of Geotechnical Drilling

Poydras developers and property owners alike can benefit from the information and insight gained from the geotechnical drilling procedure. Geotechnical drilling involves the extraction of core samples, which are vertical columns of soil and stone that are extracted in a large tube that’s pulled out of the ground and sent out for analysis. The analysts will make note of many different features and properties of the core sample, including the moisture content, the depth and composition of the different ground layers, the depth of the bedrock, the quality and integrity of the bedrock and the location and presence of any underground voids.

In Louisiana, the ground quality can be rather poor in some areas, making geotechnical drilling an important method for obtaining vital info about a site’s safety and overall suitability for a new building project or even for evaluating the safety of a current home or other building. Louisiana’s soil is quite sandy so it lacks the integrity and solidity of the more clay-rich soils. This means that the suitability of the location must be carefully evaluated prior to building a large structure. The structure’s plans may be altered to accommodate the site or a new site may need to be located for the building project.

In addition, Louisiana is located atop a bedrock that’s made of limestone. Limestone is a soft stone that can dissolve when exposed to acids. Acids can be present in groundwater and in acid rain water that seeps down through the layers. Ultimately, this can cause the limestone bedrock to dissolve and erode, resulting in the formation of a void or cavity that may ultimately collapse. The result is a sinkhole, which can swallow entire city blocks and homes, resulting in property destruction, injury or even death. But this is where you can benefit from geotechnical drilling. Poydras developers and homeowners can hire a drilling team to extract cores from the location, identifying the location of any underground cavities and voids. Once discovered, the underground void can be filled with cement to prevent collapse, or a sinkhole remediation crew can undertake other measures to secure any existing buildings and reduce the chances of a catastrophic collapse.

Poydras geotechnical drilling experts will use portable rigs that are set up to extract core samples from strategic locations throughout the property.

The timeframe and cost will vary depending upon numerous factors, including the number of drilling locations, the depth of the drilling and the size of the site.

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

Geotechnical Drilling New Orleans Sinkholes and Geotechnical Drilling

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New Orleans is the site of many new building developments and new construction projects, which often require help from a geotechnical drilling contractor to extract core samples and obtain vital data about the ground composition, integrity and its overall suitability for a building project.

If you’re considering geotechnical drilling, New Orleans developers and property owners can enjoy many benefits such as cost effectiveness and minimal disruption to the surrounding area. Portable drilling rigs are transported to the site to drill into the earth and extract core samples, which are vertical slices of the ground which are extracted in a large tube that’s sent out for comprehensive analysis. This is key when building on a site and evaluating the suitability of a location for a building project.

Core samples can reveal lots of important info, like the density and composition of the earth, the location depth of the bedrock and the presence of any underground voids.

Why Do I Need Geotechnical Drilling?

New Orleans clients can enjoy many benefits from turning to a contractor to perform geotechnical drilling. Louisiana is very prone to problems with ground quality due to a number of factors, one of which surrounds the soil which is very loose in nature. Loose soil lacks the density and stability of clay rich soils that you might find in others parts of the country.

In addition, the entire state of Louisiana is located on top of a peninsula of bedrock that’s made up of limestone. Limestone is a soft stone to begin with and to exacerbate matters, limestone has a tendency to dissolve when exposed to acids, even very mild acids such as those found in acid rain or in groundwater that percolates through the soil.

Acids can dissolve the bedrock and groundwater pulls the particles away, causing the limestone bedrock to erode and form a void or cavity that can expand until it collapses. This is how a sinkhole forms. Sinkholes can swallow your entire home or even an entire city block. They are linked to property damage, injury and even deaths.

Through the use of geotechnical drilling, New Orleans developers and homeowners can call in a team to extract core samples and evaluate the ground to locate underground voids that are at risk of collapse. Other methods can also be used, such as the usage of ground penetrating radar. This can help you to determine the exact location and shape of the void. The underground void can be filled with cement, preventing a collapse in the future. Or other sinkhole remediation measures can be implemented too, such as sinking large poles into the bedrock and securing the end at the surface to a building’s foundation. This offers support so even if a sinkhole forms, the building can remain standing.

The exact cost and timeframe for your geotechnical drilling project will vary depending upon factors, such as the number of drilling locations, the depth of the drilling and the size of the site that you’re seeking to learn more about.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Metairie Geotechnical Drilling can help determine the integrity of a site

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Metairie residents who suspect a sinkhole may form near or under their property, along with property owners and developers may opt to call in a geotechnical drilling team to extract samples of the earth which can be used to learn more about the location and its overall safety and suitability.

Louisiana is prone to sinkholes and other issues with ground quality due to the composition of the local earth. Louisiana has soil that is less stable than many other varieties of earth with a high clay content. This also makes it more prone to issues with over-saturation during the summer’s rainy season. Some areas may not be suitable for large structures if the land lacks sufficient integrity.

Limestone is a fairly soft stone and it can easily dissolve when exposed to water with even mild acids. This means that the bedrock can be dissolved by acid rains and water that percolates down through the earth. This can result in the formation of an underground void or cavity that can ultimately collapse, forming what’s known as a sinkhole.

There are many sinkhole remediation techniques available, such as pumping the void full of concrete to prevent a collapse or placing large metal rods down into the bedrock and securing the other end of the rods at the surface to an existing structure’s foundation, resulting in support that will increase the building’s chances of standing even if the ground gives way and collapses into a sinkhole.

Geotechnical drilling is a relatively fast, easy and cost effective technique for locating problem areas and extracting core samples that can be used to evaluate the quality of the ground. Core samples are large columns of earth that are extracted within a tube during the drilling process. These core samples can be sent out for analysis to determine information such as:

  • the composition of the ground;
  • the ground’s moisture content;
  • the composition and depth of the various ground layers;
  • the degree of compaction at the site; and
  • identifying the location of underground voids and cavities that could collapse into a sinkhole.

If an area requires additional investigation, other techniques such as ground penetrating radar can be used to evaluate the area.

How Do You Perform Geotechnical Drilling?

Metairie geotechnical drilling teams will be dispatched to your location to set up portable drilling rigs. The number of rigs will vary depending upon the size of the site, the nature of the information you’re seeking and the number of samples that are required.

Drilling can take anywhere from a couple days for a small site to several weeks for a very large site. As a result, the cost varies significantly too. It all depends upon the type of information you’re seeking about the location.

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

 

 

Geotechnical Drilling Kenner The Basics of Using Geotechnical Drilling

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Kenner, Louisiana is situated amongst one of the most high-risk locations for sinkhole formation and other problems that can arise from poor ground quality.

Louisiana’s limestone bedrock is quite soft. It lacks the stability and strength of granite or other stronger types of bedrock stone. The limestone dissolve when it’s exposed to even mild acids. These acids are found in groundwater and even in the rainwater that percolates down into the ground during heavy rains. The acids dissolve the bedrock, causing an underground void to form. This void can enlarge and grow over time, ultimately collapsing under the weight of the overlaying soil, stone and structures, swallowing homes, cars, people and even entire city blocks.

Therefore, it’s important to perform lots of investigation when building a large structure in Louisiana and this is where you can benefit from geotechnical drilling. Kenner natives can also identify the location of underground voids that can be a potential sinkhole site. So sinkhole site detection is another important role for geotechnical drilling.

Kenner builders and property owners can gain lots of vital info about the site through drilling, including the location, depth and even the size of underground cavities. The core samples that are extracted also offer useful insight about ground composition, density, moisture content and overall integrity. Core samples are large vertical columns of earth that are contained within a tube that preserves all of the layers, keeping them all intact so they can be sent out to a laboratory for a comprehensive analysis.

What Should I Expect When Hiring a Contractor to Perform Geotechnical Drilling?

Kenner natives can expect the drilling contractor to bring portable drilling rigs to the location which will be set up at strategic locations. Drilling can take anywhere from just a couple days to several weeks or longer in cases where you need to drill to a deep depth or a case where a large number of drill sites are required.

Just as the timeframe varies significantly, the cost is also quite variant, as the expense is dependent upon the amount of equipment required and the timeframe for the project. Overall, geotechnical drilling is a minimally invasive and quite cost effective.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Gretna New construction and geotechnical drilling

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Gretna developers and property owner’s call may opt to call in a geotechnical drilling firm to investigate the integrity and composition of the ground at a particular location. Geotechnical drilling can be used to evaluate the earth in terms of its composition, the depth and quality of the bedrock, the moisture content of the soil and even if a site is prone to experiencing a catastrophic collapse due to the formation of a sinkhole.

So how does geotechnical drilling work? And what type of information can you garner from a geotechnical drilling effort? That’s precisely what we’ll explore in today’s article.

How Do You Benefit from Geotechnical Drilling?

Gretna property owners and developers can use geotechnical drilling to determine if a building site has the integrity required to support a new structure.

Geotechnical drilling can reveal a lot of insight into the earth at a location. Portable drilling rigs will be brought in and the drilling process is used to extract a long column of earth that depicts the various layers of soil.  This is called a core sample and it’s typically sent out for analysis and evaluation. From this core sample, you can determine lots of information, including:

  • the ground composition at the site;
  • the quantity, depth and composition of ground’s layers;
  • the integrity of the limestone bedrock;
  • the water content in the soil; and
  • if there are any underground cavities or voids in the location.

Louisiana is notorious for its soil quality, which can lack the integrity and stability of a building site. In addition, Louisiana is situated atop a limestone bedrock peninsula.

Limestone is a soft stone that is prone to degradation and it will even dissolve when exposed to mild acids. As a result, Louisiana is very prone to the formation of underground voids, which can form and collapse into sinkholes.

In the event that an underground void is located during a geotechnical drilling effort, the standard course of action is to call in a sinkhole remediation team. This team can work to develop a solution for the location. This may entail further investigative measures such as ground penetrating radar scans, which can reveal the exact size and location of the voids. Corrective measures may include drilling into the void and filling it with cement to prevent a collapse or drilling down into the bedrock to insert large “pins” that affix to the foundation of the building. This offers reinforcement and support in the event that the ground were to give way in a sinkhole 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 Elmwood How Can You Use Geotechnical Drilling?

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Elmwood natives may need to invest in geotechnical drilling services if they spot signs of a possible sinkhole, which can include newly formed depressions in the ground and shifts in an existing structure, which may cause cracking in the foundation and in cement block walls.

Sinkholes aren’t the only thing that can be detected with geotechnical drilling. Elmwood developers may contact a geotechnical drilling firm to come in and extract core samples — vertical columns of earth that capture a sample of the various layers. This can be used to determine lots of important information about the site, including the number, depth, thickness, integrity and composition of the various ground layers, the amount of moisture in the soil, the depth of the underlying bedrock, and the integrity of the bedrock.

Geotechnical drilling is an important technique for identifying areas with underground voids that may pose a serious risk for sinkhole formation.

What’s Involved With Performing Geotechnical Drilling?

Elmwood developers and property owners alike may seek out a firm to conduct geotechnical drilling in order to gain data on the land at a particular site. Portable drilling rigs will be brought to the location and set up to drill down into the ground. The geotechnical drilling typically extracts a column of earth inside a tube, called a core sample. This core sample is sent out for analysis.

The timeframe for a geotechnical drilling project varies depending upon many factors, such as the type of information sought from the drilling operation, the depth of the drilling operation, the composition of the ground’s layers and the number of core samples that need to be extracted.  Some projects may take just a couple days while others may last weeks.

If an underground void is discovered during the drilling operation, a sinkhole remediation firm may be called in to assist. They may drill into the void and inject cement to reinforce the cavity and prevent collapse. Another option may be to put a large “pin” in the ground, leading between the building’s foundation and the bedrock, providing added support so the building will be at lower risk of collapse, even if the ground gives way.

In the case of a building project, the building plans may be altered or the developers may find another site depending upon the findings of the drilling.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Eden Isle What does geotechnical drilling have to do with sinkholes?

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Eden Isle developers and property owners can turn to a local geotechnical drilling company to extract core samples from the earth which can be utilized to evaluate the suitability or the safety of a particular location.

In some cases, geotechnical drilling is performed prior to the start of a building project, usually one that’s large and commercial or industrial in nature. In addition, geotechnical drilling techniques can be utilized to identify the location of a potential sinkhole, making it a cost-effective option for detecting the site of what could prove to be a deadly sinkhole collapse.

Many property owners are unfamiliar with geotechnical drilling, so they are surprised when their sinkhole remediation team or developer mentions this specialized form of drilling. Let’s take a look at how geotechnical drilling works and how it’s useful.

What is Geotechnical Drilling?

Eden Isle property owners may want to call in a geotechnical drilling team if they begin to observe signs of a potential sinkhole, such as areas of sinking ground or cracks in your foundation. The drilling team will bring their portable drilling rig(s) to the site, penetrating the earth to extract a core sample – a vertical column of earth that can be sent out for comprehensive analysis to determine:

  • moisture content;
  • the depth and thickness of each layer; and
  • the integrity of the bedrock.

Louisiana developers may use a geotechnical drilling service to evaluate a site to ensure that it’s suitable for a building project.

Limestone bedrock is impacted by the acids that are carried in groundwater. This causes the limestone to dissolve and in time, a large void or underground cavity can form. If the amount of weight overlaying the void becomes too much, it will collapse. This is what’s known as a sinkhole.

Following the geotechnical drilling, a sinkhole remediation team can be called in to address the hazard. There are a number of options, from drilling into the void again and pumping concrete into the void, while others may choose to run large pins from the foundation to the bedrock. These large pins serve as supports in the event that the ground falls away.

In terms of the timeframe for geotechnical drilling, Eden Isle property owners can expect anywhere from a couple days of drilling to several weeks or longer. It all depends upon the size of the site, the depth of the drilling, the type of material you’re drilling through and the number of drilling sites at the location.

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

Geotechnical Drilling Chalmette What is the Purpose of Geotechnical Drilling?

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Chalmette area property owners and developers may require the services of a geotechnical drilling firm in cases where the quality and integrity of the earth is in question at a location or in preparation for a building project.

But what is geotechnical drilling? That’s precisely what we’ll explore here in today’s article.

How Do You Perform Geotechnical Drilling?

Chalmette property owners can use geotechnical drilling for a number of different uses, like planning a building project or for other purposes, such as reinforcing a home or other structure that’s situated atop an underground void that could potentially collapse into a sinkhole.

The term “geotechnical drilling” refers to drilling that is performed into the ground in an attempt to reveal information about the earth and its various layers. This information can then be used to alter the architectural design of a structure or a site may be used for a different purpose.

Geotechnical drilling involves the usage of portable drilling rigs, which are brought to the site that’s being investigated. Once the drills are brought into place, they will be used to drill down into the earth, extracting a large core sample — a vertical column of earth. This sample is analyzed to determine the composition, density, thickness and integrity of the various layers. In cases where a void is present, the core sample will reveal this (and the drilling team will also notice the lack of resistance.)

Geotechnical drilling is often performed to detect potential sinkhole sites. Louisiana sits atop a bedrock layer of limestone, which dissolves when exposed to mild acids. So water can percolate through the various layers, bringing acid rain water and bringing acid from the soil. Once it reaches the limestone bedrock, it begins to dissolve and in time, a cavity forms. The cavity may ultimately collapse, creating a sinkhole.

Thanks to geotechnical drilling, Chalmette property owners can call in a sinkhole remediation team to help at the site by filling the void with concrete to prevent it from collapsing. Large “pins” can also be run down into the bedrock, while being secured to the structure’s foundation. This offers support in the event that the ground gives way.

The length of time required to complete a geotechnical drilling project does vary depending upon the size of the site and the reasons for the drilling. The project could be completed within a couple days or the team could spend weeks at a large site with multiple drilling sites.

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