Introduction
Engineering drilling is a significant practice in various engineering and construction works, such as foundation pit discharge pipe and construction of retaining walls, building foundations, highways and bridges. The process of engineering drilling is used to create a substrate area in order to analyze the geotechnical soil samples. These samples help in determining the physical characteristics of the soil, engineering soil shrinkage, compression capacity, cohesion and other fundamental parameters. In addition, it assists in determining the exact depth of a particular layer of soil and its type in order to deduce the distinctive features and properties of that layer.
Overview
Engineering drilling is a complex process that requires a variety of specialized tools and techniques to assure accuracy and a successful outcome. Essentially, it requires the use of a drill to make a hole in the earth for the purpose of taking soil samples and other measurements. A comprehensive plan should be formulated to equitably select the sample from the site through core sampling or rotary drilling. Engineered drilling can be used on almost all grounds, but to guarantee successful outcomes it is important to choose the right type of drill technology and tools. Among the various types of drillings are horizontal drilling, rotary drilling, diamond drilling and/or auger drilling.
Horizontal Drilling
Horizontal drilling is one of the most suitable techniques when drilling in a particular area of ground with a specific configuration. This technique involves drilling a hole in the ground with a sharp-tipped drill bit. The drill bit is set at the desired angle and then the drill is moved back and forth until the desired depth and angle are achieved. Horizontal drilling is preferable in areas where surface conditions are difficult to access, such as in hard rock or areas with high moisture content.
Rotary Drilling
Rotary drilling is a well-known type of engineering drilling, which is used for deep drilling only. This technique utilizes a special down-hole rotary drill to break up the soil and rocks over a predetermined area. This type of drilling is generally conducted in a straight-line motion and its accuracy is dependent on the material of the borehole. It is usually used to drill in water-saturated areas or rocky terrain.
Diamond Drilling
Diamond drilling is another modern type of engineering drilling, which is used to obtain samples from the bottom of the drill hole. A diamond bit is used to penetrate the ground and obtain a much deeper and more accurate sample than that of rotary drilling. This process is used to obtain a core sample without contamination by surrounding material.
Auger Drilling
The auger drilling technique is used frequently in shallow engineering drilling. It is suitable for softer ground conditions and often used in the exploration of mineral resources. The process is carried out via an auger, a large, vertical drilling machine that is mounted onto a truck. Auger drilling is used to locate and map a certain area of ground, as well as to retrieve soil samples for analysis.
Conclusion
Engineering drilling is a complex process that is used in numerous engineering and construction processes to ascertain the details of the soil and underground layers. Different kinds of drills and methods are needed to accomplish this activity, such as diamond drilling and horizontal drilling. The rotary and auger drilling techniques are also used to a certain extent. Moreover, analysis of the samples taken from the site can provide a lot of valuable information regarding the soil and other features of the area for civil engineering and construction operations.
