Site Investigation
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At WELLTHERM® we are experienced in a large range of geotechnical investigations ranging from small-scale residential developments to large commercial and industrial developments; these investigations are essential to assess the physical properties of the underlying soils and rock.
Our staff have experience in numerous geotechnical areas including road and railway work, pipelines, sewers, earthworks projects, slope stability, tunnelling and treatment and assessment of shallow mine workings.
With increased brownfield developments and pressure to provide cost effective solutions it is important to carry out a thorough geotechnical and geoenvironmental investigation to ensure the best practical solution is adopted. With our own drilling rigs and crews we can maintain direct control on the investigation to ensure accurate and reliable results are achieved.
Environmental Investigations
We also offer a wide variety of environmental services. Environmental assessments are often required by the Local Authority as part of obtaining planning permission. This process begins with a desk study where the site’s history is examined; many sites have had past industrial uses dating back to the 1850s or even earlier, and some of these uses may have contaminated the ground. The desk study also considers whether there are rivers or groundwater resources nearby that could be polluted by contamination in the ground.
Using the desk study information, an environmental investigation can be planned to determine the extent of any potential contamination using techniques such as trial pitting or drilling. Samples are recovered from the exploratory holes and submitted for chemical testing at an MCERTS-accredited laboratory.
Monitoring wells are often installed during the investigation to allow groundwater samples to be recovered. Current guidance also requires the monitoring of gases such as methane on many sites. Using gas data from the monitoring wells, details of suitable protection measures can be designed (such as gas membranes in the floor) for new developments. Removal of
All environmental investigations are carried out in accordance with current government guidance. We have investigated a wide variety of contaminated sites including coke works, gas works, colliery sites, landfills, petrol stations, timber treatment works, scrap yards, steel works and foundries.
Shell & Auger Drilling
WELLTHERM® have carried out shell & auger drilling for hundreds of clients. Our shell & auger rigs, offer a compact versatile range for soil investigation and drilling.
Cable percussion drilling is a tried and tested method of site investigation. The drilling technique allows the installation of casing inside the borehole to prevent loose soils collapsing into the hole, allowing the borehole to be advanced to considerable depths while maintaining good progress.
‘Clean’ drilling techniques can be utilised with the provision of different sized casing to prevent contamination in the near surface strata from affecting deeper strata. This is especially important on sites with high concentrations of mobile contaminants.
In-situ testing can be undertaken in the borehole including Standard Penetration Testing (SPT), borehole vane testing & permeability testing.
Disturbed samples are taken from the borehole by the drillers for logging by an experienced geoenvironmental engineer. Undisturbed tube samples are also recovered for laboratory testing. On completion, gas and groundwater monitoring pipes and geotechnical monitoring equipment can be installed in the borehole to allow later measurements by our dedicated technician.
WELLTHERM® have four cable percussion rigs available, as well as access to specialist rigs which are suited to restricted access sites. The rig is towed into position using a Land Rover, meaning that these rigs can be used in most locations where there is sufficient space; a considerable working area is required however. The rigs are fitted with lifting points enabling them to be moved into position by a crane on difficult sites or onto an overwater drilling platform.
Our staff have experience in numerous geotechnical areas including road and railway work, pipelines, sewers, earthworks projects, slope stability, tunnelling and treatment and assessment of shallow mine workings.
With increased brownfield developments and pressure to provide cost effective solutions it is important to carry out a thorough geotechnical and geoenvironmental investigation to ensure the best practical solution is adopted. With our own drilling rigs and crews we can maintain direct control on the investigation to ensure accurate and reliable results are achieved.
Environmental Investigations
We also offer a wide variety of environmental services. Environmental assessments are often required by the Local Authority as part of obtaining planning permission. This process begins with a desk study where the site’s history is examined; many sites have had past industrial uses dating back to the 1850s or even earlier, and some of these uses may have contaminated the ground. The desk study also considers whether there are rivers or groundwater resources nearby that could be polluted by contamination in the ground.
Using the desk study information, an environmental investigation can be planned to determine the extent of any potential contamination using techniques such as trial pitting or drilling. Samples are recovered from the exploratory holes and submitted for chemical testing at an MCERTS-accredited laboratory.
Monitoring wells are often installed during the investigation to allow groundwater samples to be recovered. Current guidance also requires the monitoring of gases such as methane on many sites. Using gas data from the monitoring wells, details of suitable protection measures can be designed (such as gas membranes in the floor) for new developments. Removal of
All environmental investigations are carried out in accordance with current government guidance. We have investigated a wide variety of contaminated sites including coke works, gas works, colliery sites, landfills, petrol stations, timber treatment works, scrap yards, steel works and foundries.
Shell & Auger Drilling
WELLTHERM® have carried out shell & auger drilling for hundreds of clients. Our shell & auger rigs, offer a compact versatile range for soil investigation and drilling.
Cable percussion drilling is a tried and tested method of site investigation. The drilling technique allows the installation of casing inside the borehole to prevent loose soils collapsing into the hole, allowing the borehole to be advanced to considerable depths while maintaining good progress.
‘Clean’ drilling techniques can be utilised with the provision of different sized casing to prevent contamination in the near surface strata from affecting deeper strata. This is especially important on sites with high concentrations of mobile contaminants.
In-situ testing can be undertaken in the borehole including Standard Penetration Testing (SPT), borehole vane testing & permeability testing.
Disturbed samples are taken from the borehole by the drillers for logging by an experienced geoenvironmental engineer. Undisturbed tube samples are also recovered for laboratory testing. On completion, gas and groundwater monitoring pipes and geotechnical monitoring equipment can be installed in the borehole to allow later measurements by our dedicated technician.
WELLTHERM® have four cable percussion rigs available, as well as access to specialist rigs which are suited to restricted access sites. The rig is towed into position using a Land Rover, meaning that these rigs can be used in most locations where there is sufficient space; a considerable working area is required however. The rigs are fitted with lifting points enabling them to be moved into position by a crane on difficult sites or onto an overwater drilling platform.