Soil sampling Services

GSTL offers a range of exploratory drilling techniques to suit the unique ground conditions of your site. Our highly qualified technicians have a wealth of experience in obtaining soil samples at a diverse range of locations, including beaches, fields, and buildings.

Our Window sampling and Core Drilling services can assist you with:

  • Dynamic probing (DPH and DPSH)
  • Standard penetration tests (SPT)
  • Window sampling
  • Windowless sampling
  • Installation of monitoring wells
  • Location of voids and buried obstructions
  • Archaeological and other sensitive work
Drilling into mud for collecting soil samples

Soil sampling Services Explained

Dynamic Probing (DPH and DPSH)  

A Dynamic Probing Test is a simple and cost-effective way to verify the resistance of soil. Samples can be taken from depths of 100m+ in rock or 5m+ in superficial deposits. GSTL rigs are fully adaptable to take into account the many different site conditions of your project. 

Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) 

Standard Penetration Testing (SPT) is useful for geotechnical design purposes as it can be used to 

determine the density of granular soils (gravel, sand or silt) and the resistance to penetration in cohesive soils (clay or soils with a high clay content). 

All our core drilling services are carried out by experienced technicians using modern rigs and machines to give the most accurate results possible. 

Window & Windowless Sampling  

Window sampling is a low-cost way to collect core samples from materials like cohesive strata and sand. Windowless sampling is especially useful if your site is: 

  • Limited in access
  • Potentially contaminated
  • Inside a building
  • On a slope
  • In a basement
  • On soft ground
  • Requiring minimal disturbance

Our lightweight rig is highly compact for easy access and there is also the option of using a hand-held version for very tight or hard-to-reach locations. This versatile core drilling service can also be used to install ground gas and ground water monitoring wells. 

Location of Voids and Buried Obstructions  

When you need to carry out remedial work but are unsure what lies beneath the surface or concrete, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) can be utilised. Our professional team have extensive knowledge and experience in using GPR equipment to locate a wide range of voids and buried obstructions, including: 

  • Crypts and vaults
  • Rebar
  • Tension cables
  • Conduits

The advantage of GPR testing on concrete is that it can save you time, money and reputational damage by making sure you don’t incur hefty repair bills for hitting something completely avoidable like water or power lines. 

Archaeological and Other Sensitive Work  

GSTL also provides core drilling services for archaeological sites or where construction is taking place in known areas of historical significance. Core samples can be taken with minimal site destruction and is useful for clients working in sensitive areas where a lighter approach is needed to determine the subsurface configuration of a site.