Understanding Geotechnical Drilling

Geotechnical drilling is a fundamental process in geotechnical engineering used to obtain subsurface soil and rock samples for analysis and testing. This technique entails assessing the groundwater, soil, rock, and general conditions at a specific depth and location. This essential effort helps identify problems before they arise and guarantees that development can proceed as scheduled. Geotechnical drilling is crucial for site characterization, foundation design, environmental assessments, construction quality control works etc.

Before geotechnical drilling, a thorough site investigation is conducted to identify the locations and depths for drilling. This investigation involves studying existing geological data, conducting geophysical surveys, and performing preliminary site reconnaissance.

Drilling Method

The appropriate drilling method is selected based on factors such as site accessibility, soil conditions, depth of exploration, and project requirements. Once the drilling method is chosen, drilling equipment is mobilized to the site, and drilling operations commence. During drilling, soil, and rock samples are collected at regular intervals using core barrels, split-spoon samplers, or other sampling tools. These samples are retrieved from the borehole carefully labelled, sealed, and preserved for laboratory testing and analysis.

Outcomes

Throughout the drilling process, drilling parameters such as drilling depth, drilling rate, torque, and penetration resistance are monitored and recorded. Geologists and engineers also log the lithology, soil types, rock characteristics, and any geological features encountered during drilling.