ACS offer a full range of drilling and coring services, from shallow windowless sampling to deep rotary and cable percussion investigations. The extensive equipment held and operated by ACS and available through our trusted subcontractors includes the latest borehole drilling equipment. This enables extensive investigations to be undertaken on a wide range of sites. Services can be tailored to suit the development or Services can be tailored to meet specific development or investigation requirements. For example, they can assist with foundation design, collect samples, or provide insights into the geology of a site.
Window / Windowless Drilling and Sampling
ACS are able to offer windowless drilling and sampling using our in-house drilling rigs. These rigs have been designed to allow quick and easy dynamic drilling in many conditions. With the small size of the rig we are able to fit through a standard doorway. This enables boreholes to be drilled on sites with limited access.
Window / windowless drilling allows boreholes to be sunk up to 10m (dependent on ground conditions). Samples are retrieved within plastic liners which allow for detailed logging and the collection of soil samples. ACS can drill water boreholes in monitoring wells for groundwater and ground gas monitoring/sampling as needed for the project.
In situ standard penetration tests (SPT) are routinely undertaken together with undisturbed samples in cohesive materials (U100). Dynamic probing (DPH & DPSH) can also be undertaken to provide a detailed profile of material density vs depth. These tests can provide a range of geotechnical design parameters.
Cable Percussion Drilling
Cable Percussion Drilling allows deeper boreholes to be sunk up to 40m dependent on the geology of the site. The equipment is larger than our windowless rigs. It requires an open site with access for a 4x4 vehicle. The vehicle is used to tow the rig and carry extra equipment. An area of 5x5m is required to enable set up of the rig and safe working.
In situ testing comprises SPT and U100. As with window / windowless drilling it is also possible to provide monitoring installations as detailed above. This drilling method is needed to gather geotechnical data for designing piled foundations at depths beyond window sampling limits.
Rotary Drilling
In certain ground conditions cable percussion drilling is not possible. Usually this is due to the presence of rock or where obstructions such as boulders are present. In such situations rotary drilling is used which enables cores to be taken through such layers using a rotating core barrel with diamond cutting shoe.
Multi-Purpose Rotary Rigs also have a dynamic sampling head. This offers both rotary and percussive options which enable a range of ground conditions to be sampled quickly and efficiently. As with the other drilling methods detailed it is possible to undertake in situ SPT and U100 testing.
A slope crawler version of this rig is also available. This rig allows investigation of embankments and cuttings for railway, landslip and other investigations.
Sonic drilling can also be used in place of rotary. Sonic drilling utilises the same rotary method but adds a vibratory force, allowing a faster progression through denser materials.
Core Cutting
Core cutting can be undertaken from 24 to 300mm diameter using both hydraulic and electric rigs. We use different types of rigs for different situations, depending on the depth, diameter, and access restrictions.
Cores are commonly taken through concrete, bituminous materials, bricks, blocks or natural stone. Once cores are obtained, they are taken back to the ACS laboratory for analysis at specific diameters. Horizontal cores can be taken through walls or abutments.
Core cutting can also be undertaken using an attachment to our windowless rigs. This allows boreholes to be easily undertaken in areas of hardstanding, such as car parks, carriageways and internal concrete floor slabs.
Logging
Engineering logs of all exploratory holes can be prepared by our Geo-Environmental Engineers and provided in AGS format if required. We have bespoke site equipment which allows digital logging for direct transfer into logging software.
Further interpretation, analysis and advice regarding laboratory testing can also be provided through our Geo-Environmental Consultancy department
If you're looking for cost-effective drilling services, contact us on 01202 622858. Our Geo-Environmental Consultancy team will be happy to help with your project requirements.
Contact us for Borehole Drilling Services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of borehole drilling?
As part of a geotechnical investigation, borehole drilling may be carried out for the extraction of water, gases, minerals, soils, and any other materials needed to identify the physical properties and associated risks of a site. This data can then be used to determine relevant design parameters and develop optimised remediation methods.
What is the process of borehole drilling?
Borehole drilling involves drilling a hole deep into the ground to access materials such as water, gas, soil, rock, and minerals. Various ground conditions will require different methods of borehole drilling, such as rotary drilling, cable percussion drilling, and core cutting.
What is cable percussion drilling used for?
Cable percussion drilling is an intrusive geotechnical investigation method used to establish the ground conditions and soil parameters of a development site. This technique allows an accurate definition of the soil and strata boundaries, alongside in-situ soil strength testing and sampling for laboratory testing.
What are the advantages of rotary drilling soil investigation?
If the site investigation requires penetration into rock, dense soil, or any other challenging obstructions, rotary drilling offers high levels of torque and rotation that allow for fast progression through the material. This enables samples to be extracted quickly and efficiently.
Please see below for a list of the services provided by ACS:
Geo-Environmental Consultancy
The ACS Geo-Environmental Consultancy Department has been operating as part of ACS for over 10 years.
On-Site Testing Services
ACS offers a comprehensive range of professional on-site testing, all carried out by our fully trained site technicians.
Aggregates and Soils Testing
From our main laboratory in Poole, Dorset, ACS provide quality testing and material consultancy for the construction and civil engineering industry.
Bituminous Testing
ACS carries out testing on new bituminous binder material and testing on hardened material for physical and chemical properties. Circa pre 1980’s Tar (Carcinogenic effects) was also used as a binder, ACS staff can sample and test materials to assess if Tar was used.
Concrete Testing
Concrete was the first service to be offered by ACS back in 1987. Since then, we have increased our scope to cover a wide range of UKAS Accredited testing methods on fresh and hardened concrete.
Mortar and Screed Testing
ACS can sample and test new and hardened mortar. Hardened mortar for mix proportions and constituents, new mortar for compressive and flexural strength.
Natural Stone Testing
Our newly refurbished stone testing laboratory has given us the opportunity to expand our testing scope. In addition, we have increased production and improved on our turnaround of samples.
Site Laboratory Services
Over the last 35 years, ACS have supplied custom fitted site laboratories with technicians to many construction sites and projects worldwide.
CONTACT ONE OF THE TEAM
If you require a collection that is outside of our usual range, please feel free to call us on 01202 622858.
Or contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.