Category: Drilling and Sampling
This category contains articles covering drilling methods, soil and groundwater sampling techniques, digital field logging tools, and best practices for drilling investigations used in environmental and geotechnical engineering projects.
To learn more about drilling workflows and field data collection techniques, read the featured guide:
The Complete Guide to Drilling and Sampling for Borehole Investigations
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The Complete Guide to Drilling and Sampling for Environmental and Geotechnical Investigations
Introduction This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the essential procedures for conducting safe and effective drilling and sampling during environmental and geotechnical investigations. Environmental and geotechnical site investigations are fundamental prerequisites for almost any land development, construction, or remediation project in urban areas. These investigations are crucial for characterizing the subsurface conditions of a…
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Streamline Your Fieldwork: A Guide to GAEA Technologies’ Free Drilling and Sampling Utilities
In the fast-paced world of environmental and geotechnical engineering, accuracy in the field is just as critical as the analysis that follows. Whether you are conducting a site investigation or managing a complex remediation plan, having the right tools to classify soil and calculate well volumes can save hours of manual labor and reduce the…
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Master Field Data Collection: GAEA Technologies’ Free Drilling and Sampling Guide for Windows and Android
Whether you are performing a geotechnical investigation or an environmental site assessment, the quality of your final report depends entirely on the accuracy of your field data. To support engineers and geoscientists in the field, GAEA Technologies offers a comprehensive Free Drilling and Sampling Guide. Specifically optimized for Windows and Android, this guide is the perfect mobile reference for…
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Standard Operating Procedures for Purging and Sampling Groundwater Monitoring Wells
Purging a Well Purging a monitoring well is a critical field procedure performed before collecting groundwater samples for environmental analysis. The goal is to remove stagnant water that has been sitting in the well casing (which is not representative of the actual aquifer water) and draw in fresh formation water from the surrounding geological zone.…
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Types of Protective Casings used for Monitoring Wells
Protective casings for monitoring wells, also known as surface completions, ensure the integrity of the well by preventing physical damage and unauthorized access. Types of Protective Casings 1. Above-Ground (Stick-Up) Protective Casing Standard installations for non-traffic areas require a durable steel outer shell to prevent physical damage and tampering. 2. Flush-Mount (Manhole) Protective Casing Required…
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Choosing the Best Filter and Grout Materials for a Monitoring Well
When it comes to site characterization, your monitoring well is only as reliable as the materials surrounding it. Choosing the right filter pack and grout isn’t just about “filling the hole”—it’s about ensuring hydraulic connectivity while preventing cross-contamination. Filter Pack 1. Filter Pack Material Selection The filter pack (or sand pack) acts as a mechanical…
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Choosing the Best Screen and Riser Pipe Materials for Monitoring Wells
In environmental monitoring, the integrity of your data depends on the “inertness” of your well materials. Screen and riser pipes serve as the structural skeleton of a monitoring well, and their chemical compatibility with local groundwater is paramount. Selecting the right materials ensures that your samples are representative of the actual subsurface conditions rather than…
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Designing a Monitoring Well for Environmental and Geotechnical Investigations
Designing a monitoring well involves a balance of technical requirements based on regulatory standards, the site’s hydrogeology, and the specific data objectives of the investigation (environmental or geotechnical). The design must ensure that the well provides a representative sample of the groundwater or an accurate measurement of the water level at the targeted depth. I.…
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Classifying Soils During Drilling: Your Comprehensive Guide
Accurate soil classification is critical for construction, agriculture, and environmental projects. By determining soil types, you can predict behaviors in terms of stability and water retention. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various methods and techniques of soil classification, including both geotechnical and environmental classification procedures, their importance in drilling operations, and how…
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Standard Penetration Testing: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding how to carry out a thorough penetration test is critical in protecting your organization from unexpected geological conditions. In this guide, we will explore the critical steps behind executing a Standard Penetration Test and how to effectively utilize the data gathered. Armed with practical insights, you will be ready to not only identify potential…