Data Logging for Drilling

GeoMEM supplies a range of cost effective, Data Logging solutions from manufacturers DAT instruments.

These consist of modular hardware and software units with approptriate sensors and controls for the type of drilling being undertaken.

Almost all drill rig and drilling parameters can be recorded at preset (and frequent) time or depth intervals to provide you with the following benefits:

• Complete and accurate time-based record of all work carried out. You have full proof of all drilling activities for your client.
• Complete records for Quality Assurance purposes
• Complete records for Health and Safety purposes
• Data can be used to spot and improve productivity and performance drilling issues
• Data can be used as part of a borehole log - soil and rock types can be distinguished through drilling parameters. - thus helping geologists and engineers.
• Most Drillers Log data that is handwritten can be recorded automatically, thus avoiding forgotten or missing information nd saving time.
• Once installed the system does not interfere with your normal drilling methods or operation.

In summary, data logging will improve performance and help lower operating costs whilst meeting or exceeding expectations of your clients and regulatory authorities.

The data logged

A variety of data are logged depending on the exact drilling operation. These include:

• Drill depth
• Feed force
• Penetration rate
• Rotation speed
• Torque
• X and Y drill mast inclination
• Start date and time for operation
• End date and time for operation
• Duration of operation
• Cement Pressure, Flow and Volume
• Water Pressure, Flow and Volume
• Air pressure
• Injected litres/metre
• Injected pile length
• Rod retrieval time
• Soil relative energy
• Volume of added gravel (Vibroflotation)
• Current used by electric hammer or pressure of hydraulic hammer

The range of data values recorded depends on the Data Logger unit and configuration in use for the required drilling or grouting operation.

Data Display

Drilling data are continuously displayed on the rig mounted data loggers so that operators can monitor and adjust processes if needed.

Data processing

All the data gathered can be processed, analysed and presented/printed as tabular or graphical results using the JET S 104 software on a Desktop or Laptop computer, either in the field or office.

Application areas

DAT instruments systems are used on multiple projects around the world for the following drilling, grouting and drill related operations:

• Continuous Flight Auger (CFA)
• Diaphragm walls
• Grouting
• Jet Grouting
• Lugeon tests
• Rock drilling
• Soil Mixing (Deep and Shallow)
• Vibroflotation

A range of typical applications is shown on the DAT instruments Products by Application page.

The Data Loggers and Automation Units

DAT instruments produces several Data Logger and Automation units for drilling and drilling related operations:

• JET 4000 AME data logger series with 4 control channels - multiple sensor input.
• JET DSP 100 data logger series with 1 control channel - multiple sensor input.
• SENSORS: The range of monitoring sensors and control devices for the DAT instrument units.

The JET 4000 AME data logger unit.

To ensure compatibility and the highest operating standards DAT instruments manufactures and tests all it's Data Loggers and sensors / controllers on its own premises and under its own quality control processes.

All systems are designed and manufactured to a customers specifications for their particular site/project requirements.

DAT instruments custom in-house design and manufacture process is described on the "How your instruments are made" page.

DAT instruments don't supply off the shelf "one size fits all" solutions - they provide tailor made solutions to suit customers specific requirements.

About DAT instruments

You can find out more about DAT instruments, their products and maufacturing processes on the DAT instruments web site here: www.datinstruments.com.

Glossary of terms/techniques

Continuous Flight Auger (CFA)

The Continuous Flight Auger technique allows the injection of concrete into various soft materials through the auger drill that also does the drilling. It is almost vibration free and one of the quietest methods of creating piles making it ideal for work in environmentally sensitive areas. CFA is able to construct piles in soft materials such as clay, silt, sand, gravel and soft rock or any combination of these. It allows piles to be made in water-bearing strata without using casing or other physical barriers.

Diaphragm Walls

Diaphragm Walls are permanent retaining walls and shafts with fewer construction joints than bored pile wall methods. They are commonly used for retention purposes and permanent foundations.

Jet Grouting

Jet Grouting (also known as jet mixing) is a method of groouting that uses very high pressure streams of cement grout to erode, replace, mix and cement soils. The end result is usually a soil-cement (soilcrete) column of between 60cm and 200cm diameter.
Several techniques are used: Bi-fluid in which a mix of air and cement are injected - this produces larger diameter coloumns; Tri-fluid where the injected mixture is air, water and cement.
This technique is used for a variety of purposes, including: Foundation stability - especially in the treatment of load bearing soils under new and existing buildings; Making water bearing soils impermeable; Tunnel construction; and to mitigate the movement of impacted soils and groundwater.

Lugeon tests

The Lugeon Test is used to measure the quantity of water absorbed by a section of borehole when injected at a constant pressure. The Lugeon value is defined as the loss of water in litres per minute per metre of borehole at a constant pressure of 10 bar.
The Lugeon value is used to quantify the water permeability of rock and the hydraulic conductivity due to fractures in the rock. Frequently used for testing grout holes before and during grouting.

Rock Drilling

Drilling used in exploration, quarries, mines construction sites to obtain information about or access to underlying rocks. Rock core is usually recovered for examination, testing and description.
These drillholes can often reach several hundreds of metres or more and should be surveyed to obtain the actual path of the hole - see our Borehole Surveying Solution section.

Soil Mixing

Soil Mixing is a technique that introduces an engineered grout or reagent to modify the physical or chemical characteristics of soil without excavating. The technique has numerous civil and environmental applications.

This is also known in-situ soil mixing and can be described as Deep Soil Mixing and Shallow Soil Mixing depending on the depth of the soil to be treated.
Soil Mixing is used to create stable structures elements for foundations and retaining walls, soil improvement, and in situ treatment of buried contaminates. It is also used with specialised cementing and chemical reagents for: hazardous waste treatment; sludge stabilisation and/or solidification; chemical oxidation; lagoon stabilisation; and for constructing sub-surface barriers for groundwater containment.

Vibroflotation

Vibroflotation is a technique to increase soil density (hence strength) and is used to avoid possible soil liquifaction (for example: during earthquake moevements). It involves the use of a vibrating probe to penetrate up to 30m into the soil. The vibrations of the probe cause the soil grain structure to collapse creating denser soil around the probe. This is combined with a gravel backfill to create a column of stone which provides both some re-inforcement and a possible drainage.