Auger drilling uses a spiral-shaped tool to remove soil and other materials from the ground. It is one of the oldest drilling methods in the world, having its roots in Ancient Greece. Here's what you should know about how this type of drilling works, the different kinds of augers available, and the benefits it can offer your next project.

How Does Auger Drilling Works?

The auger contains a spiraling metal shaft surrounded by curving flights. As the drill head applies pressure to the ground, the flights rotate to draw out or cut the drilled material and extract it. This allows the drill head to penetrate deeper into the ground while the extracted material moves along and ultimately out of the flighting.

What Are the Different Types?

There are a variety of auger types, each designed for a different drilling job. For geotechnical and construction projects, earth and ice augers are among the most commonly used. Earth augers cut through and remove large amounts of soil, while ice augers make holes in frozen ground by crushing ice with blades as they penetrate the earth. There are also a variety of drill bit sizes, ranging from 2 to 18 inches in length.

What Are the Benefits of Drilling?

An auger can perform deep drilling work with greater speed and efficiency than other drilling methods. It can also be customized to the requirements of the job, as different boring diameters can be achieved. This results in more precise drilling and less disruption to the surrounding landscape.

Unlike other drilling technologies, auger drilling doesn't require the use of fluids. For certain geotechnical and environmental applications, like groundwater sampling, this means cleaner samples can be extracted from the earth.

Also, an auger can be mounted to virtually any truck. The driller doesn't need to invest in a new vehicle, and they can take the drill anywhere the truck can go.

GeoTek Alaska has been providing auger drilling services to clients in Anchorage and throughout the state for over 20 years. Their drilling contractors provide a wide range of geophysical and environmental services, from soil and groundwater sampling to well monitoring and seismic refraction. They are an area leader in geotechnical solutions. Call (907) 569-5900 to request a quote for your project or visit their website to explore their services in more detail.