Geotechnical drilling is used for construction and site surveying, often performed by a specialist service provider under the supervision of an engineer. It includes drilling for soil stability, foundation preparation, and exploration for oil, gas, and minerals. Site surveying is essential for safety and compliance with regulations.
Geotechnical drilling is drilling that is often related to the construction of a structure such as a building or an oil rig. It can be part of the construction process as well as part of the site survey process prior to the construction of the structure. This process is usually performed by a specialist geotechnical drilling service provider, under the supervision of a geotechnical engineer who remains present to ensure that the drilling meets the project requirements. These firms may also offer other drilling services, depending on their size and location.
A common reason for geotechnical drilling is site surveying. A site survey is conducted to determine whether or not a site will be suitable for construction. It includes drilling to remove rock and soil samples, along with drilling to assess soil stability and other topics of interest. In the case of an oil rig, drilling may also include investigations to find out more about the quality of the oil and where it is located.
The site survey is essential for large facilities. Unsafe soil or rock conditions can lead to structural collapse or create a hazardous situation in the event of an earthquake or flood. The law often requires that a site be surveyed for safety before planning permission is issued and that ongoing safety monitoring occurs for any changes or signs of developing problems that could pose a threat to the development.
As part of the construction process, geotechnical drilling includes drilling to prepare foundations, caissons and various supports. Drilling of this type is supervised by an engineer who confirms the placement of the drill and makes sure that the drilling is conducted correctly. Sinking a hole in the wrong place or drilling improperly can create problems that can lead to delays.
Geotechnical exploration in the search for deposits of oil, gas, minerals and other things of value inside the Earth can also use geotechnical drilling. Drilling is used to take core samples and to collect site data. It is also used by scientists who want to learn more about the Earth and to take samples such as ice cores in regions such as the poles. Ice cores can be a fascinating record of Earth’s climate history, stored neatly on ice for the convenience of scientists interested in climate issues. In this case, geotechnical drilling may be performed by a company that specializes in scientific drilling applications, rather than construction drilling.
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