Experience with Core Drilling Machines, Power Auger and Electrical Resistivity on the Pennsylvania Turn Pike : Technical Paper

This paper pertains to the use of small rotary diamond core drilling machines, power augers and electrical resistivity units when used as a team for the subsurface exploration in proposed highway cuts. Original subsurface data obtained on the Northeastern Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike System, extending from Philadelphia to Scranton, is compared to actual field conditions. A large number of shallow earth surface condition has been categorized into six basic groups, depending on the proportion of soil, unsound rock, sound rock and attitude of the rock. Sound rock is defined relative to a stable highway cut slope. The capabilities and advantages of each machine, primarily in locating the top of sound rock in each of the six basic groups, are presented. Methods of using power augers to obtain slope design and excavation data are given. A comparison is made of the time and cost of using the core drill, power auger and electrical resistivity equipment.