Soil Boring & Its Importance in Construction
Soil boring, also known as geotechnical boring, is a process that includes drilling the earth and collecting samples enabling the experts to determine the soil type and its composition with reference to physical and chemical properties.
Soil boring is the first and most important step in any construction project. In fact, construction starts with soil boring as it provides the basic information for construction managers to determine what type of construction material should be used for a safe and durable building structure.
It also provides data about the foundation of the proposed building. How deep should the foundation be, and what maximum height can this building attain; all these are based on the soil analysis reports compiled through soil sampling.
This article discusses the ABC of soil boring and its importance in construction.
What Is Soil Boring?
Soil boring is a process used to collect soil samples. It consists of digging a vertical hole in the earth and collecting earth samples at different depths. Soil samples are of two types, disturbed and undisturbed. Both types of samples are collected from the construction site by drilling the earth with a rig, commonly known as a geotechnical rig.
Drilling Techniques
There are many different methods or techniques of soil boring, such as Rotary Drilling, Percussion Drilling, Auger Drilling, Wash Boring, and Auger Boring. Engineers choose one of these methods depending on the nature of the soil at the construction site.
Rotary drilling is one the most commonly used techniques, as it is suitable for almost every soil type. This technique collects an undisturbed earth sample from a minimum of 70 meters.
Wash boring is also a useful method for many soil types except rocks. On the other hand, the percussion technique is more suitable for rocks and tough soil. However, the quality of undisturbed earth samples is not the highest with this technique.
Drilling Process
The drilling process may take 15 to 20 days to complete. However, depending on the underground soil composition, it may sometimes stretch to even one to two months. For a reliable soil testing report, especially for projects requiring a deeper foundation, at least two holes must be drilled at two places on the site. Drilling multiple holes at various places also help to identify different types and textures of earth on the site.
Importance Of Soil Boring In Construction
It is imperative for construction engineers and managers to have a comprehensive report on the soil condition, especially underground water level, earth bedrock, and geological risks, such as landslides and firmness of the soil texture.
Soil testing is the key to the success of any construction project. Comprehensive data on a construction site will help to determine the foundation and structural design of a building. In addition, soil boring helps construction engineers ascertain whether this site is suitable for the planned construction type.
Geotechnical boring determines various properties of the soil, such as sand content, compaction, and soil density, which directly impacts the selection of appropriate material to be used. Soil testing is a vital parameter to mitigate the risks and complications involved in construction.
Risk Bearing Factors
The underground water level of a site is one of the biggest risk factors in construction. It impacts the laying of the foundation, which leads to the stability and strength of the building.
The chemical composition of the soil is yet another risk-bearing factor in construction. Soil testing report suggests how much risk is involved at this particular site. Engineers can then select the construction materials accordingly to eliminate the risk of any possible chemical reactions.
It is equally important when it comes to the reactivity of the land. The earth expands or contracts with time as part of a natural process. Soil testing reports can help engineers determine how this site will react to natural activities. This is particularly important for the stability and strength of multi-story buildings.
Applications Of Soil Boring
Soil boring is used to compile soil testing reports for various construction projects, such as buildings, dams, culverts, canals, bridges, roads, railway lines, airports, oil and gas pipelines, etc.
It is also a necessary part of a construction site's survey to detect any potential risk of contaminants in the soil. Some sites are prone to variations in underground water levels, and the soil boring technique helps scientists plan their construction and structural strategy accordingly.
Soil boring is also useful for laying underground pipework. Boring Americans, a famous boring company in the United States of America, uses soil boring techniques to lay fiber conduits, electric conduits, and water and sewer on grade pipework in residential and commercial buildings.
Fiber conduits are the need of the hour, owing to the increasing demand for remote work. Internet Service Providers are expanding their network by laying fiber lines in residential and commercial areas, and soil boring is critical for this process.
Similarly, electric conduits make it easy for electricity distribution companies to provide seamless electricity as it is easier to expand & maintain underground wirings without interrupting life above ground. The same is the case with the Water and sewer systems.
All these services need different boring techniques, which can be made possible after soil sampling.
Factors That Affect Soil Boring
Soil boring is affected by different factors, these include:
- Soil composition determines the type of boring technique - whether to choose rotary, percussion, or any other boring method depends on soil type and composition.
- Climate, weather, and geographical conditions also impact soil boring.
Conclusion for Soil Boring & Its Importance in Construction
Soil testing reports compiled by an in-depth analysis of the samples collected from the construction site are the main tools for project managers. These serve as the basic parameters for planning the whole project.
The safety and reliability of the building are also directly related to the implementation of soil surveys and testing reports. So, never compromise on soil testing. Get it done through well-reputed experts.
Don't forget; it's the strength of your project. It may cost a bit more, but it will go a long way toward the success of your project.
