In many construction and development projects, the first step is obtaining soil samples to determine the chemical content, groundwater levels, and other information relevant to the property. This allows engineers to design a structure for the specific piece of land so that it is stable and reliable. For this purpose, Geoprobe® machines are among the leading choices for site investigators and surveyors. If you're curious about how these devices work and their benefits, below is more information.

How Do They Work?

Geoprobe machines use hydraulic power supplied by an auxiliary generator to drive probing hammers deep into the soil. This device generates a lot of force, allowing it to dig through many types of soil and substrate, ensuring the sample collected represents the area as a whole. While many soil probing systems only penetrate up to 60 feet below the surface, the Geoprobe system can drill to depths of more than 100 feet, depending on the soil conditions. This means that surveyors can see how deep the groundwater is, as well as if there are any loose pockets of soil that could interfere with construction.

These machines can achieve these depths by rearranging particles in subsurface soil through percussive force rather than cutting or drilling. This makes the process more efficient, as you don't need to deal with cleaning up contaminated or bulky material from the ground. As a result, they produce little mess while granting site investigators access through soil and pavement of up to 12 inches in thickness.

What Are the Different Applications of a Geoprobe?

Because it has low overhead clearance, is widely available, and is proven in a variety of industries, Geoprobe is among the most versatile drilling systems available. Additionally, technicians can transport the machine to remote areas, which makes it suitable for many construction and development purposes. For example, it is commonly used to get groundwater and soil gas samples. It can even produce soil cores for geotechnical, geothermal, exploratory, and environmental drilling, as well as water well monitoring and construction drilling. As the probing tool progresses through subsurface levels, it even records probe penetration rates and soil conductivity.

Whether you need precise data on soil content or want to monitor groundwater on a piece of property, contact GeoTek Alaska in Anchorage. They use the latest nondisruptive technology from Geoprobe to gain accurate information on the physical and chemical properties of sites throughout the state for government agencies and private property owners and developers. Call (907) 569-5900 to discuss your needs with a team member, and visit them online for more information about their services.