Golden combination in drilling and probing

Four years ago, Eijkelkamp SonicSampDrill and GeoPoint Systems joined forces. Under the banner of Eijkelkamp GeoPoint SoilSolutions, part of Royal Eijkelkamp, several "out of the box" concepts were developed, such as the Compact Crawler CPT or the Drill'n CPT unit, a complete unit that allows you to very easily alternate Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) with auger drilling. The compact self-propelled units, according to its makers, offer enormous opportunities for both drilling and geotechnical companies.

"The merging of the two companies and the combined expertise means that instead of just sensors, we now build complete sounding units and small crawlers and pushers that are easy to transport," begins Ferry Hoogveld of Eijkelkamp GeoPoint SoilSolutions. "We are even developing underwater equipment," he reveals. "The Compact Crawler CPT series is a small but powerful unit on crawlers to perform probing work. We supply this series as Compact Crawler CPT130(kN) or Compact Crawler CPT200(kN). Both units offer solutions in hard-to-reach locations or in inner-city areas, where you can't get by with a large CPT truck. Moreover, the pusher with frame can even be disconnected from the crawler, making it possible to work in very small and low spaces. The Compact Crawler CPT130 even fits in a van, the second one on a trailer."

Golden combination

"But even in the Netherlands, the striking force of 13 tons is often sufficient to get to depth and its light weight and compact size make it very interesting. Over 90% of all desired soundings can be made with this unit. The 20 ton CPT200 is intended for heavier work and greater depth, but also for the Belgian market. There, a 20 ton CPT is required by law, established by the BGG research committee due to the fact that Belgium has a very complex, extremely unique and very diverse geological structure. Both crawlers must incidentally be anchored to the ground. The required reaction force is generated by four ground anchors installed with the drill motor mounted on the crawler. The drill motor can also be used to drill through local debris layers or rock. There is then no need to "fly in" another drilling rig. Especially in areas with a heterogeneous geology, such as in Limburg, this combination of drilling and probing is very interesting." That combination is further enhanced with the Drill'n CPT unit. Hoogveld: "Drilling companies can clamp the Drill'n CPT (a fully self-acting CPT unit) into the foot clamp of the drilling machine and thus perform probing independently. Definitely an opportunity for drilling companies."

And so Eijkelkamp GeoPoint SoilSolutions continues to continuously focus on the development of SonicCPT tooling, smart sensoring, accessories and SonicCPT related drilling machines. This not infrequently results in surprising concepts, such as the newly developed Boxed Crawler CPT100 for the larger work. For lighter work, or for extremely weak bearing surfaces, the Parvus CPT35 (kN) has been developed, which can be transported in a car and powered by a generator (see GWW 2-2021, ed.). Last but not least, the Sonic CPT, which allows probing and sonic drilling to both be performed with one machine, is in distant development. More on that later.