SLOPE SOLUTIONS
Slope Climbing and Bespoke Rigs
Slope failures on linear infrastructure earthworks and on natural slopes are increasingly common due to climate change causing more extreme weather events. Site investigations are important to characterise the ground conditions in these areas of instability, enabling clients to monitor assets and geotechnical engineers to design appropriate remedial measures.
Traditionally, investigation of these sites either entailed designing and installing platforms using scaffolding that would service a cut-down cable percussion or rotary rig, or more commonly, clients would need to accept a downgrade in the data that could be recovered by using limited hand-held window sampling and other equipment. In addition, these difficult-to-access locations are often remote from access points, so possessions of the railway and traffic management on highways are often required. Moving and establishing equipment/scaffolding on and off site can take a long time and be prohibitively expensive when using these traditional techniques.
To combat these issues, Central Alliance has developed a range of drilling rigs that are able to access restricted sites and provide the high-quality geotechnical data required by design engineers. We have used our experience of current drilling technology and projects on difficult-to-access locations to design rigs that are true ‘geotechnical investigation’ rigs.
Our Ground Investigation slope solutions include:
- slope climbing rigs (undisturbed sampling, dynamic sampling, rotary drilling, SPTs)
- slope climbing rigs with working platforms (undisturbed sampling, dynamic sampling, rotary drilling, SPTs) and slope climbing support mules (working platforms).
- long reach mounted working platform rig with dual dynamic sampling and rotary masts (undisturbed sampling, dynamic sampling, rotary drilling, SPTs)
- telehandler mounted working platform rig with dual dynamic sampling and rotary masts (undisturbed sampling, dynamic sampling, rotary drilling, SPTs)
- modular rigs (undisturbed sampling, dynamic sampling, rotary drilling, SPTs).
SLOPE CLIMBING
Our remote-control slope climbing rigs are self-levelling multi-purpose dynamic sampling and rotary rigs. The rigs have full body and mast rotation, enabling us to carry out ground investigation holes in the same orientation and locations as proposed remedial works, such as Electrokinetic slope stabilisation systems, soil nailing or sub-horizontal drainage, reducing the risk of encountering unforeseen ground conditions during construction. The ability to acquire ground investigation data where it is needed most, and often critical in slope stability analysis, marks a significant step forward in the quality of investigative information that can now be provided to designers.
PLATFORM RIG
Designed and built by our expert engineering team, the platform rig allows both a dynamic sampling mast and rotary mast to be mounted side by side on a side-shift, allowing dynamic sampling of soft ground and rotary drilling through rock or hard strata. The platform can either be mounted on a telehandler to reach up a slope, or on a long reach excavator to reach down a slope. Depending upon the severity of the slope gradient, the platform can either be used simultaneously with our embankment steps, or with rope access support.
MODULAR RIGS
Our expert team of engineers and fitters have designed and built a bespoke modular rig that meets our requirements to acquire ground information on slopes and in other restricted access locations. The modular rigs can be dis-assembled in to component parts, carried in to position and re-assembled. Capable of everything that the larger tracked dynamic sampling rigs are capable of (including SPT’s and undisturbed samples), there is no longer a requirement for Designer’s to compromise by selecting inferior hand-held window sampling equipment for restricted access locations. Our modular rigs also offer significant HAVS and noise benefits over hand-held equipment. Our extensive fleet of modular rigs allows us to mobilise to site quickly to meet project demands.
PLATFORM RIG SLOPE SOLUTIONS
Designed and built by our expert engineering team, the platform rig allows both a dynamic sampling mast and a rotary mast to be mounted side by side on a side-shift, enabling dynamic sampling of soft ground and rotary drilling through rock or hard strata. The platform can either be mounted on a telehandler to reach up a slope or on a long-reach excavator to reach down a slope. Depending upon the severity of the slope gradient, the platform can either be used simultaneously with our embankment steps or with rope access support.
MODULAR RIG SLOPE SOLUTIONS
Our expert team of engineers and fitters has designed and built a bespoke modular rig that meets our requirements to acquire ground information on slopes and in other restricted access locations. The modular rigs can be dis-assembled in to component parts, carried in to position and re-assembled. As it is capable of everything that the larger tracked dynamic sampling rigs are capable of (including SPT’s and undisturbed samples), there is no longer a requirement for designer’s to compromise by selecting inferior hand-held window sampling equipment for restricted access locations. Our modular rigs also offer significant hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and noise benefits over hand-held equipment. Our extensive fleet of modular rigs enables us to mobilise to site quickly to meet project demands.
Our clients have been impressed by the ease of access, quality of data capture and high-quality instrument installation capabilities that require no scaffolding, no possessions and no helicopter hire!
When combined with our innovative remote sensing techniques and aerial and mobile mapping solutions, these ground investigation techniques provide the highest quality of site investigation information that has ever been available on slopes and remote and difficult-to-access sites.