Sonic Drilling
Sonic drills use high-frequency vibrations instead of auger rotation to advance casing of various sizes into the earth.
Drilling with a sonic rig is often the preferred method over traditional auger rigs because it is a more accurate, safe and unhindered drilling process. Its tooling also remains effective up to 40m in cobble, rock and even swelling sands!
The Sonic Drill is the industry-best option for installing standard monitoring wells and double case wells, and collecting soil samples for excess soil management.
The secret to the Sonic Drill’s success is in its 150Hz vibration system. Oscillating frequencies are generated by two counter-rotating weights;
These vibrations are then channeled down into the drill string where they steadily advance 5-foot long 3” or 4” diameter core barrels and 4” or 5” casings to their appropriate depth.
The 4" and 5" casings remain in the earth while sample is retrieved and monitoring wells installed.
Safe – Sonic Drill rigs come equipped with operator-controlled rod handling and breakout functions eliminating the need for strenuous, overburdensome labour.
Clean – The sonic drill leaves behind no auger cuttings. Only in consolidated stratigraphy may it be required to use water to help remove cuttings and cool the bit.
Efficient – Fast and reliable in sand, does not require re-tooling in cobbles or gravel, has amazing recovery in fill, and advances right through sub-surface concrete pads.
Accurate – Samples are always collected dry even when water is necessary for advancement. Soil samples are captured within a 3” diameter core barrel, providing a greater soil profile compared to traditional rigs.
Here are a list of services our Sonic rig offers:
Geotechnical & Environmental
Sonic drills’ core barrels retrieve high-quality soil samples in large quantities from difficult drilling conditions.
The sonic drill rig can deliver blow counts and sample retrieval is always through a cased hole for accurate and isolated soil samples.
Monitoring well installation
Monitoring wells are installed inside cased holes. Sonic drilled bore holes eliminate the chance of cave-ins and reduce the length of time it takes to install in swelling sands.
