Roberts Environmental Limited (REL) have invested in the market-leading manufacturer of diamond core drilling equipment and accessories. The investment will enable us to provide cost-effective core drilling from our base in Newcastle throughout the UK.

Coring has many uses which we now offer, including:

• Slab coring;
• Service Penetration Drilling;
• Stitch Drilling;
• Bollard Installation; and
• Borehole Preparation.

‍What Is Core Drilling?

Core Drilling is the process of removing a core of a predetermined diameter from a concrete slab or pad, masonry, hardstanding or wall using a diamond core drill bit.

REL have diamond core barrels to meet multiple requirements, ranging in size from 18mm to 152mm diameter.

Benefits of Coring

It is extremely effective at creating precise holes and cuttings with minimal disturbance to the surroundings. Additionally, it reduces the amount of debris and, in conjunction with a water flush system, almost eliminates dust generation, improving the versatility and safety of the practice.

The precision of the diamond core drilling allows for smooth cutting and does not transfer the vibrations to the nearby structures. Therefore, is considered to be a low-risk practice with regards to surrounding developments, keeping them safe and structurally sound during the drilling operations.

REL are able to operate remotely from mains power utilising our portable generator, allowing our coring service to access almost any location.

Uses of Coring

Slab coring

REL can provide laboratory testing on cores recovered in accordance with BS EN 12504-1: 2019 for compressive strength. Other testing can be undertaken on concrete cores upon request. When testing cores for compressive strength, the larger the diameter, the more reliable the results. As such, we recommend that a 152mm diameter core will usually ensure aggregate size does not influence the results.

When coring concrete, in field measurements of the core length, diameter, reinforcement position and reinforcement size are taken, along with a photographic record of the investigation.

Also, a shallow depth of sub-base can be excavated, sampled and logged by an engineer if required when coring concrete slabs.

For Future Development

For smaller, lightly loaded developments such as mezzanine floors, it may be possible to pin structures to existing concrete, if a suitable thickness and strength can be confirmed eliminating the need to remove extensive areas of the existing concrete slabs or create new dedicated foundations.

Prolonged Use of Slabs

Where the service life of existing concrete is prolonged, its strength can deteriorate over time, often resulting in fatigue cracking, generally associated with overloading or failure of the sub-base.

Concrete coring and subsequent testing provide a time and cost-efficient means of determining the current make up of a slab and whether it is sufficient to safely continue to carry the loads exerted on it.

‍Post Slab Installation

Following concrete pouring, testing is required to ensure the required strength has been achieved. Concrete core samples are considered more accurate than field-cured specimens because the concrete that is tested for strength has been subjected to the actual curing conditions of the in-situ slab – providing greater reassurance your slab provides its quoted strength.

Service Penetration Drilling

Concrete core drilling is the favoured method for multiple trades to provide an accurate access point for the installation of pipework, cables or similar services, whilst minimising the risk of structural damage.

Coring services can be provided through almost any internal or external wall at the required level for the proposed penetration.

Due to the compact nature of RELs coring rig, work can be carried out in confined spaces, and with the use of suction pumps and wet vacs, clean drilling can be achieved. Holes can be cored vertically, horizontally or at an angle to meet any requirements.

‍Bollard Installation

Where bollards are to be installed, hardstanding may need to be removed to allow the bollard to be placed in-situ. Core drilling provides the most effective means of removing the hardstanding without significant damage to the surroundings or excessive dust /noise generation.

REL’s range of core barrels allows for specific diameter holes to be created to accommodate a wide variety of bollard sizes. Ensuring quick and easy installation at multiple locations during any one time.

‍Summary

Following investment in the market-leading manufacturer of diamond core drilling equipment and accessories, REL now offers an extensive range of coring services in a safe and cost-effective manner.