When conducting test borings we perform visual classification of soils by sampling in order to obtain a subsurface profile. Soil parameters are obtained through various in-situ testing methods. We offer several types of test borings, including auger borings, direct push borings, and ledge probes.

Types of Test Borings​

Sampling & In-Situ Testing Methods

Auger Borings
​2-1/4 inch Hollow Stem Augers (HSA)
2-1/2 inch Solid Stem Augers (SSA)

Direct Push Borings
3-1/2 inch Casing
​2-3/8 inch Casing

Ledge Probes
2-1/2 inch Solid Stem Augers (SSA)
Direct Push Rods

Standard Penetration Test SPT (Auto-Hammer) 
Thin Walled Tube Sampling (Shelby Tube) 
Field Vane Shear Test (ASTM D2573)
Groundwater Monitoring Wells (1 inch or 2 inch PVC) (ASTM D5092)
​Gravel Punch Sampling (3-1/2 inch surface sample)
Direct Push Soil Liner Sampling (2-3/4 inch or 1-1/2 inch at 5 ft length)
Hollow Stem Auger Boring for Soil Exploration (ASTM D6151)
Rock Core Drilling and Sampling (ASTM D2113)
Cone Penetration Testing CPTu (ASTM D5778)
Downhole Seismic Testing ASTM (D7400)​

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Summit Geoengineering Services (SGS) has drilling capabilities using both an AMS 9500 VTR track and an AMS 9630 truck PowerProbe. The AMS 9500 VTR is a remote-controlled rubber track machine capable of remote site access with low ground pressure.  The AMS 9630 is a larger machine mounted on a Ram 5500 4x4 truck.  Both are capable of conducting seismic cone penetration testing (SCPTu) using Vertek instrumentation.

​Our AMS 9500 VTR PowerProbeTM is equipped with both rotary auger head and direct push hammer capabilities, which enable us to perform a variety of explorations.These include hollow stem and solid stem auger borings, direct push borings with casing, and ledge probes with solid stem augers or direct push rods (no sampling). The type of boring and sampling methods chosen for a project are often determined by the site conditions, scope, and budget. 

For most geotechnical explorations, test borings with split spoon test (SPT) sampling are performed to obtain soil samples, geotechnical engineering parameters, and to identify subsurface profiles. Standard penetration tests (SPT) are performed using a 140 lb auto-drop hammer. Test borings are typically logged by a geotechnical engineer using the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS).