THE RESONANT SONIC DRILLING METHOD - AN INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROGRAMS

The resonant sonic drilling method offers unique capabilities to the e nvironmental restoration market. By using a drill head that imparts hi gh-frequency, high-force vibrations into a steel drill pipe, continuou s, relatively undisturbed cores can be taken through virtually any for mation. The resonant sonic method requires no mud, air, water, or othe r circulating medium for penetration; drills very fast; easily drills at any angle through formations such as rock, clay, sand, boulders, pe rmafrost, or glacial till; and yields no cuttings in the drilling proc ess. Case histories of projects using the method demonstrate excellent results but also indicate several problem areas with the method in it s present state. Expanding research efforts to further develop the res onant sonic drilling method should help solve current drawbacks, and c ould produce a drilling technology for environmental work that signifi cantly changes the way monitoring wells are drilled and constructed.