Geotechnical Drilling Lake Magdalene A Look at the Uses for Geotechnical Drilling
Lake Magdalene developers, builders and property owners may turn to a geotechnical drilling firm for help with a few different types of projects. From determining the composition of the land, to evaluating a site for a construction project or even identifying areas that are prone to sinkholes, geotechnical drilling has lots of potential uses.
The Uses and Process for Geotechnical Drilling
Lake Magdalene geotechnical drilling companies offer services for a number of situations. The timeframe for a geotechnical drilling project varies depending upon the size of the area that’s being analyzed, combined with the nature of the investigation. The composition of the earth and the depth of the drilling operation also impacts timeframe, since harder substances and deeper depths require a longer drilling timeframe.
The process usually begins with the arrival of portable drilling rigs that are set up on-site. The geotechnical drilling firm can often assist with determining the best locations for drilling depending on the goals for the operation.
Geotechnical drilling operators can carefully extract a vertical column of earth that clearly captures samples from the various layers. The core sample may be analyzed in the laboratory for composition, stone integrity and other issues. The lab can determine if an area is prone to sinkholes, liquefaction or other issues. If an area lacks stability, it may not be suitable for certain types of structures, while other developers may need to alter their building plans to suit the landscape.
Sinkhole detection is another potential application for geotechnical drilling. Lake Magdalene drilling technicians can drill into areas where a potential sinkhole risk has been identified. A sinkhole can arise due to the formation of an underground cavity. These cavities develop when the soft limestone bedrock dissolves due to exposure to the relatively mild acids in the groundwater. A sinkhole is the result when that cavity collapses. Excessive weight from a structure or environmental conditions (such as heavily saturated earth) can lead to a collapse.
Geotechnical drilling can reveal the location of a void, which can then be filled with cement to prevent a collapse. In the case of an existing building, the drilling rigs can be used to determine the depth and quality of the limestone bedrock. Metal stakes can be driven down into the bedrock, then affixed to the structure’s foundation to offer support in case of 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*
