Solid Stem Auger

    Solid stem auger drilling utilizes 5-foot auger sections with bolted connections. The drive cap assembly attaches to the top auger connection and transfers rotary power and axial force from the drill rig through the auger and to the drill bit.  Upon returning the auger flight to the surface, the soil returned is then classified from the cuttings.  

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    The formation must have sufficient cohesion to maintain an open bore after auger removal to perform standard soil testing/sampling such as the Standard Penetration Test or Thinwalled tube sampling.   The use of solid stem auger drilling is usually limited to dry and sturdy soil conditions do the likely collapse of unstable, flowing, or saturated soil conditions.  Continuous sample tube systems and standard penetrating systems are also available for use with this method.