Get a Quote
Home / Services / Cable Percussive Drilling

Cable
Percussive
Drilling

The UK's most widely used geotechnical site investigation method. Depths to 80m and beyond, diameters 150–300mm, deployed anywhere in the UK.

Shell & Auger
80m+ Depth
150–300mm Diameter
SPT Calibrated
UK-Wide
80m
Max Depth
300mm
Max Diameter
6m
Headroom Required
4–8m
Working Area
About This Service

The UK's Most Common
Ground Investigation Method

Cable percussion drilling — also known as shell and auger drilling — is by far the most widely used method of geotechnical site investigation in the UK. It is a tried, tested and highly versatile technique capable of penetrating a wide range of soil and rock types to significant depths.

The method works by repeatedly dropping a heavy string of drilling tools suspended on a wire rope into the borehole. The impact breaks up the ground material, which is then removed using a bailer or shell. As the borehole progresses, steel casing is advanced to support the borehole walls and prevent collapse.

GeoPrime Solutions operate diesel-powered cable percussive rigs capable of reaching depths of up to 80m with borehole diameters ranging from 150mm to 300mm. Where greater depths are required, rotary drilling methods can achieve significantly deeper boreholes — GeoPrime have drilled to 160m and beyond on geothermal projects. All SPT equipment is regularly calibrated and holds adequate certification — ensuring the data you receive is accurate and defensible.

Cable percussive drilling allows for continuous sampling throughout the borehole depth, providing a detailed picture of ground conditions from surface level down. It is the method of choice for the majority of geotechnical and environmental ground investigations across the UK.

Suitable For
  • Geotechnical site investigation
  • Environmental assessment
  • Groundwater monitoring wells
  • Soil & rock sampling
  • Standard Penetration Testing (SPT)
  • Contaminated land investigation
  • Foundation design investigations
  • Deep borehole programmes
HOW
The Process

How Cable Percussive
Drilling Works

01
Site Setup
The rig is positioned over the agreed borehole location. A working area of 4–8m and 6m headroom is required. The rig is levelled and the initial casing is set.
02
Percussion Drilling
The drilling string is repeatedly dropped into the borehole, breaking up the ground material by impact. Steel casing is advanced as drilling progresses to support the borehole walls.
03
Sampling & Testing
Soil samples are recovered at regular intervals using a shell or bailer. In-situ tests including Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) are carried out at specified depths using calibrated equipment.
04
Completion
On completion, boreholes are either backfilled, completed as monitoring wells, or left cased depending on project requirements. All samples are logged, labelled and dispatched for laboratory testing as required.
Applications

Where We Use
This Method

Construction
Foundation design, bearing capacity assessment and soil classification for residential, commercial and industrial development.
Civil Engineering
Highways, bridges, retaining walls and infrastructure investigations requiring deep borehole data.
Environmental
Contaminated land assessment, groundwater monitoring well installation and Phase 2 environmental site assessments.
Housebuilding
Ground investigation programmes supporting planning applications and foundation design for housing developers.
Industrial
Brownfield land investigation, warehouse and logistics hub development, and industrial remediation projects.
Renewables
Ground investigation for solar farms, wind turbine foundations and energy storage facilities across the UK.
GeoPrime Solutions

Calibrated.
Certified.
Accurate.

All SPT equipment is regularly calibrated and certified. Every sample handled correctly from recovery to delivery.

Why Choose Us

Why GeoPrime for
Cable Percussive Drilling

Calibrated Equipment
All SPT equipment is regularly calibrated and holds adequate certification. The data you receive is accurate, defensible and produced to the highest professional standards.
10+ Years Experience
Our drillers have spent over a decade carrying out cable percussive investigations across the UK in all ground conditions. That experience shows up on site — especially when things don't go to plan.
UK-Wide Deployment
Based in Wigan but working across the entire UK. We remain fully competitive on pricing regardless of where your site is located. No inflated mobilisation costs, no excuses.
Other Services

Related Services

Window Sampling & Dynamic Probing
Ground Penetrating Radar
Trial & Hand Pitting
CBR & Plate Bearing Testing
Coring
UXO Borehole Clearance
Common Questions

Frequently Asked
Questions

Cable percussion drilling — also known as shell and auger drilling — is the most widely used method of geotechnical site investigation drilling in the UK. It uses a heavy string of drilling tools suspended on a wire rope, which are repeatedly dropped to break up and remove soil and rock from the borehole.
Cable percussive drilling typically reaches depths of up to 80m depending on ground conditions, with borehole diameters ranging from 150mm to 300mm. Greater depths are achievable using rotary drilling methods.
Cable percussive drilling is used for geotechnical site investigation, environmental assessment, groundwater monitoring well installation, and collecting soil and rock samples for laboratory testing. It is suitable for a wide range of soil and rock types.
Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) can be carried out at specified depths using calibrated, certified equipment. Samples recovered can also be sent for a full range of laboratory testing including particle size analysis, strength testing and chemical analysis.
Cable percussive drilling rigs require a working headroom of around 6 metres and a working area of approximately 4 to 8 metres. We can advise on site access requirements for your specific location before mobilisation.
DRILL

Need Cable Percussive
Drilling on Your Site?

Call us or send an enquiry — we respond fast.

07541 553837
Request a Quote