Geotechnical site investigations often involve the use of a drilling rig in a wide and open space, but what if the areas you are trying to work on have size or access constraints? In these circumstances, you’ll need access to geotechnical drilling technologies that can work for both small and large-scale infrastructure projects. This is where tight access drilling comes in.
Being able to access tight, small or sloped spaces is a must-have service for any geotechnical engineering group working in urban construction. Tight access drilling has many benefits, and we’re going to discuss five of the most notable right here.
Let’s begin!
When we talk about tight access drilling, we are referring to the process of using a mini crawler rig that can access and take samples in confined or hard to reach places. It’s a necessary service any reliable geotechnical engineering service should provide, as it’s vital when sampling is needed to be done in compact urban locations.
Knowing the soil conditions for any potential construction is vital, whether it’s a large commercial site or a small backyard. Tight access drilling means you can get all the information you need, whether from a wide field or a tight urban space.
Need geotechnical engineering in Melbourne? SITE Geotechnical is up to the task!
You may be able to get larger equipment and regular-sized machinery to the location you are working at, but what if the size constraints are not on the ground, but in the air? An overhanging roof from a nearby building, trees with branches that hang over your project or power cables are all common sights in urban areas, and all can make it difficult to get the samples you need.
One of the handy things about SITE Geotechnical’s mini crawler rig is that it requires only a few metres of clearance to access an area. This means it can reach short areas that don’t have a lot of vertical space without the need to clear obstacles or damage natural obstructions like trees.
Sometimes, the site you need to investigate can be in an environmentally fragile area. Wetlands, swamps, bushland and forested areas can all have uneven ground that is damp and prone to tearing up when subjected to even moderately-weighted machinery. Biomes like these can be home to rare or protected plants and fauna, which makes getting your work done tricky when you have as small a physical impact as possible on the area.
The great thing about mini crawler rigs is they are much lighter than other digging machines and create only minimal ground pressure on most surfaces. Ruts and tunnelling in the soil won’t be a problem with these nifty rigs! Of course, there will always be a small amount of disturbance, but any geotechnical engineers who know what they’re doing will work hard to create only a minimal impact on the local environment.
Do you need to access an area that is narrower than most? This could range from an area next to a steep slope, a limited space between nearby structures or a small, fenced backyard. No matter your size constraints, you still need to get the necessary information to proceed with your project.
SITE Geotechnical’s mini crawler rig is the perfect size to access these tight spaces, thanks to its narrow and slim design. This doesn’t equate to a lack of power or ability–the mini rig, when used by a specialist operator, can get the job done safely without blowing out your budget.
Getting large, cumbersome pieces of machinery to a remote location can be difficult, pricey, and even dangerous. You risk your machinery being damaged when travelling large distances, which can blow out operational costs and extend the time of your project.
With the mini crawler rig, you can travel to remote locations with the right gear to easily perform a full-strength geotechnical investigation. This geotechnical drilling rig is much easier to transport safely and manoeuvre around the worksite, allowing you to get all the information you need, no matter the constraints of the area. Light and agile compared to heavy-duty machinery, mini rigs are the perfect choice for geotechnical investigations in remote areas!
When it comes to the tight access drilling process, sometimes getting the digger into position is the main problem. If the ground you need to be tested is in a high area that is difficult to get a regular-sized digger up to, then you’re in luck–mini crawler rigs can be craned into position!
The mini rigs at SITE Geotechnical weigh approximately 1.3t and can be easily lifted and placed where you need via a crane.This makes reaching areas that are on ledges, hills or even behind impassable walls much simpler.
Do you need geotechnical services in Wyndham Vale, Donnybrook or Beveridge? Contact SITE Geotechnical or explore our website to discover what we can do for you.
We are delighted to have served Melbourne with our professional geotechnical services since 2005. We pride ourselves on honest and transparent communication with every client, which helps projects progress smoothly and on time.
SITE Geotechnical can perform tight access drilling thanks to our mini crawler rig, which is perfectly suited to accessing narrow, tight and any other previously unreachable spaces that need geotechnical investigation. Small but powerful, our mini rig can complete any essential site evaluations you require with minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
To get in touch with the engineers at SITE Geotechnical, simply fill out our online contact form or call us on 1300 557 260. We look forward to working with you!
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