When working on new construction and modifying existing structures, core drilling is often necessary for creating evenly-bored holes for many different reasons. Core drilling is also often used to extract samples from the ground to analyze the quality of rock and soil under the earth’s surface.
In order to carry out these kinds of projects effectively and safely, it is important to have the right equipment, take the necessary precautions, and be properly trained on core drilling best practices. If you are looking for core drilling near me, it is crucial that you work with a reputable company that is highly experienced in core drilling to reduce potential liabilities and ensure that your core drilling job is completed quickly and safely.
In today’s article, we will look at what core drilling is, some of its common purposes, and the equipment and methods used to carry out this technically-advanced process.
What is Core Drilling?
Core drilling is the process of using round, hollow drill bits to remove sections of material from the ground or from an existing structure.
Drilling bits are attached to high-powered drilling equipment, and the bit is then centered above a predetermined point. This point will then become the center of the core being extracted as the bit begins to rotate.
Once the bit has reached the desired depth, the core drilling equipment will be removed so the core can be extracted. Once the core is removed, a nearly perfect cylindrical hole will be left where workers can feed through pipes and utility lines, insert cutting equipment to remove more material, install anchors and fasteners, etc.
Equipment
Depending on the application, drills and bits come in a wide variety of sizes, materials, and capabilities in terms of power. For small jobs, you can attach a core drill bit to a regular drill and make near-perfect holes in materials like wood, non-reinforced concrete, and plastic.
However, for large-scale drilling jobs, you may need to use a high-powered, heavy-duty drill and specially designed core drilling bits. For drilling into materials such as rock or reinforced concrete, you will often need to employ core drill bits made from tungsten carbide with diamond particles embedded in the metal.
Large-scale bits can range from 12 inches to several feet in diameter, and they can also be up to several feet long for some industrial applications.
Best Practices
When operating heavy equipment like core drills, the most important thing you should consider is whether or not you have the proper training. In addition to being well-versed in how to use core drilling equipment, it is also crucial to have a thorough understanding of that material and the specific equipment you are using.
In order to safely and effectively carry out a core drilling job, you need to identify all of the material you will be cutting into to ensure that you are using the correct tools. If you were to use a drill and bit combination that is suitable for concrete, without considering that there may be rebar underneath the concrete, you could risk damaging your equipment or potentially creating a safety hazard.
Be sure to consult building plans whenever they are available before drilling. Also, it is a good idea to check with the engineer overseeing the job to ensure that you have identified all of the material you will be drilling, along with the correct location.
Uses for Core Drilling Near Me
Although core drilling can be applied in geological studies and exploration, it is most commonly applied in industrial applications.
Here are some of the common uses for core drilling in construction.
Creating Openings for Utility Lines
Core drilling is extremely useful when it comes to creating passages for utility lines such as gas, sewer, electric, and HVAC ducts. Since a core drill can make clean-cut holes of various sizes in virtually any material, this process is ideal for cutting openings to feed through utility lines.
Installing Anchors or Fasteners
When installing certain types of structurally critical components, such as steel columns for large buildings, core drilling is used to create the holes where the anchors for these components will sit.
When using core drilling for these kinds of applications, it is absolutely essential that every step of the process is completed correctly since these structures will essentially be standing on the anchors placed inside these holes. As such, the cores need to be the correct size, and they should also be perfectly plumb.
Removing Material
In some situations, core drilling can be useful for removing material from an existing structure. For example, creating an opening in a concrete wall where a door will be placed. Alternatively, it could be used for demolition purposes.
Although core drilling is typically not used for removing large sections of material for these purposes, it may provide an opening where a concrete saw or wire saw can be inserted to finish the job.
Taking Ground Samples
Core drilling can also be used to take ground samples before starting large construction projects. This can help engineers determine the quality and characteristics of the subsurface so they can design the foundations of the building accordingly.
In areas where erosion, underground water tables, and unstable rock formations may be a cause for concern, engineers will need to be aware of the material they are building on to ensure the safety and longevity of the construction project.
JP Hogan: Your Concrete Cutting, Drilling, and Coring Experts
JP Hogan has the tools and experience to take on any core drilling project, big or small. Our seasoned team of core drilling experts has decades of combined experience to get the job done quickly, safely, and accurately.
In addition to core drilling, we also offer a full range of concrete-cutting services for private and municipal projects. No job is too big for us here at JP Hogan. give us a call for all of your concrete cutting and core drilling needs!
