Proper soil investigation is essential for exploring the conditions of a specific site, particularly when planning a major development project. This will help in determining the characteristics of the land and its suitability for the potential applications. Typically, a full geotechnical evaluation can only be conducted through boring the ground and obtaining samples for analysis. There are multiple boring methods which can be used for soil exploration. Here are the most ideal boring techniques to consider for your development project.

Auger Boring

Auger boring is favoured for most soil exploration processes because the method is economical and considerably fast. This means that the investment for complete site analysis will not be high, and you can proceed with the development as soon as possible. Basically, this process uses a drilling device known as an auger to cut into the ground. The equipment has a helical screw blade which rotates fast and cuts into the ground. The grooves of the auger act as a conveyor and remove the soil material from the pertinent hole. You can obtain this machine easily because an auger is a common implement which can be attached to and powered by an excavator vehicle.

Wash Boring

The wash boring method is designed to drill holes using relatively simple equipment. During this operation, a hollow pipe made from resilient steel is driven into a hole in the ground. This pipe is commonly known as a casing pipe. Next, another pipe with a smaller diameter is lowered into the first pipe. This second pipe is referred to as a wash pipe. The wash pipe is connected to a water supply system, and water is driven into it. The soil below the pipes will be mixed with the water and slurry will be formed. Eventually, the slurry will rise to the ground through the space in between the two pipes. The material can be used to analyse the nature of the soil beneath and collected for testing.

Percussion Drilling

Auger and wash boring techniques cannot be employed if the pertinent ground has a rocky bed. Therefore, if your property has such earth conditions, you should consider choosing percussion drilling. This technique uses a heavy drilling bit which is attached to a cable. A hole is made by dropping and lifting the drill in a continuous motion. Water and other materials are often added to create good slurry. Once the preferred depth is achieved, the slurry is pumped out for testing. This method is expensive and not ideal for drilling large holes.  

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