Saturday, December 17, 2016

An Overview Of Boring Methods Being Used For Subsurface Investigation

By Daniel Murphy


Geotechnical investigations are processes which involve performing some methods or tests so that soils and rocks physical properties information will be obtained. The methods will take place in a particular site where in designs for earthworks and foundations are made for proposed structures and for distress repair of earthworks and structures that are caused by unnecessary conditions. Geotechnical engineers or engineering geologists are those that will conduct the investigations.

The accuracy and the completeness of subsurface information can be considered as very necessary to all the projects related to civil engineering. Usually, the cause of failure of structures is the misleading and inadequate subsurface data. Auguring is one method which is being used in subsurface investigation. This is done to put down holes in the soft sediment. And for the penetration of greater depths, bore holes are made.

Percussion drilling. In this method, the bit will be suspended from rods or cables and will be jumped both up and down to break the rocks. For the bit to remain cool and to make slurry, the hole is added with water. The debris are also removed through a bailer. For chips to be recovered for its identification, pounded rocks are mixed in water from the slurry. Drilling progress rate and cost are varied from hardness.

Rotary drilling. The first method involves the rotation of bits and are attached to the rods and where in the pumping of fluid mud occurs. The mud will then be returned into the surface by annular space in between rods and holes. The rods are added successively in the assembly while lowering the holes.

Core drilling. The tabular bits having lower cutting edges will be utilized and are rotated in the holes. The bits are made available in various forms. These are available in diamonds or hard abrasives for penetrating hard rocks. Types which are used very commonly are the diamonds drills and are used for sampling and for exploratory bore.

Core barrels. The aim of structural drilling is to recover an undisturbed core from which measuring the structural features is done. This process can be achieved in either two ways, using a large diameter or a multiple tube core barrel. Geophysical methods. These methods are used for mapping, characterizing, and locating subsurface features through the measurement of surfaces to respond to the electrical, physical, and chemical properties.

Seismic methods. Measuring of a seismic would involve the measurement of seismic waves that will travel through subsurfaces. The assessment of structure, stratigraphy, and material properties may be done in a seismic method. Electrical resistivity. An electrical resistivity measurement is made by placing 4 electrodes as contact to the soil and rock.

Magnetic. Mapping and locating the buried ferrous metals and mapping the geologic structures are 2 primary applications being used. Micro gravity. The micro gravity survey will provide change measures in a subsurface density. The natural variations of the density would include buried channels, faults, lateral changes, large fractures, and dissolution.

Ground penetrating radar. The GPR uses electromagnetic waves in high frequency for acquiring subsurface information. The energy will be radiated downward to the ground coming from the transmitter then reflected back into receiving antenna. Reflected signals are then recorded, producing shallow subsurfaces conditions.




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