Drilling services
The services we provide
Our drilling services are available throughout the UK, with our lead drillers and assistants having considerable experience of drilling in all types of terrain. We provide services to many of the UK’s leading geotechnical and site investigation companies and have worked on many major contracts.
PB Drilling are certified to ISO 14001:2015, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018.
Cable percussion drilling and water well drilling
Cable percussion drilling, also known as shell and auger drilling, is the most commonly used technique for drilling and sampling soils where good-quality undisturbed samples are required. Cable percussion drilling can also be used to reach an underground water source.
PB Drilling has six cable rigs:
- One Dando 3000 rig
- One Dando 2500 rig
- Four Dando 2000 rigs
The equipment is suitable for drilling in all types of soils and weak rocks and provides a rapid and cost-effective method of investigation to depths of up to 60 metres.
The rigs are driven by diesel engines and when erected require a working headroom of approximately 6 metres and a working area of approximately 3 metres by 8 metres. The tripod folds down to form a simple trailer that is towed by a four-wheel-drive vehicle, hence most positions with reasonable level and clear access can be reached. However, a cable percussion rig can be moved into difficult positions or onto an over water drilling platform by means of a crane.
The drilling technique allows the borehole to be cased to maintain stability, to prevent loose soils collapsing into the hole and to prevent groundwater inflows. Undisturbed samples can be taken from the boreholes and standard penetration tests (SPT) can be carried out. On completion, gas or groundwater monitoring standpipes can be installed in the borehole.
Boreholes can be drilled with a variety of casing diameters, including 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches and 12 inches.
As the drilling method is percussive, there is some noise during drilling from the diesel winch and the driving of casing. Using this method is relatively tidy, and spoil and water can be readily contained within the working area. On completion of the borehole, it is backfilled and the surfacing is reinstated, leaving little or no disturbance to the working area.
Borehole log sheets can be emailed or posted to clients within a couple of days of the drilling works being carried out.
Interested in this service?
Speak to our experts, Vicky and GillLow headroom cable percussion rig
PB Drilling’s low headroom cable percussion rig is designed to deliver exceptional performance in confined spaces where traditional cable percussion drilling rigs cannot operate. Working efficiently in restricted access areas, it is ideal for urban environments, basements and areas with overhead obstacles. There is no compromise on quality or safety.
Whereas a full-sized cable percussion rig requires a working headroom of approximately 6 metres, the low headroom cable percussion rig has a minimum height of 2 metres.
The rig is capable of drilling to a depth of around 42 metres with 10-inch, 8-inch or 6-inch casing in favourable ground conditions, drilling 5 to 7 metres in a day.
Typically, set up takes about half a day, and the equipment needs to be mobilised on a flatbed vehicle alongside the trailer transporting the rig.
Interested in this service?
Speak to our experts, Vicky and GillWindow sampling
Window sampling involves driving a metal tube with a ‘window’ or cut-out section into the ground, enabling soil samples to be collected. The primary advantage of window sampling is its ability to retrieve relatively undisturbed soil samples from shallow depths.
Window sampling helps engineers understand soil composition, structure and contamination levels, making it indispensable for site investigations and environmental assessments.
PB Drilling has two Premier Compact 110 window sample rigs.
Interested in this service?
Speak to our experts, Vicky and GillDynamic probing
PB Drilling also offers dynamic probing, which is a technique that involves driving a steel cone into the ground using a sliding hammer to measure the ground’s penetration rate. These results can be correlated with SPTs.
It is a cost-effective method of investigation and can efficiently collect data on soil stratigraphy, bearing capacity and compaction.
Interested in this service?
Speak to our experts, Vicky and GillConcrete coring
PB Drilling provides a nationwide concrete coring service, which is an efficient drilling technique that is used to extract cylindrical samples from concrete structures. Engineers are then able to evaluate the composition, strength and durability of existing concrete structures and ensure they meet safety standards.
Speak to our experts, Vicky and GillContact us
If you would like to learn more about our drilling services or to book in work with our lead drillers and assistants, speak to our experts, Vicky and Gill.
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