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Summit Geoengineering Services (SGS) is a Maine based consulting firm founded on providing clients with responsive and professional geotechnical consulting and contributing to a successful project through our technical knowledge and expertise in soils and foundation engineering.

We spoke to Vice President & Principal Engineer Craig Coolidge at SGS about his experience with Vertek. Read on to learn why Summit relies on Vertek’s Drill Rig Conversion Kit for their geotechnical explorations.

What Vertek products do you use and what do you use them for?

At SGS we use the VTK CPT system with 5 ton and 10 ton seismic cones. They are used with our AMS Power Probes (track mounted 9500 VTR and truck mounted 9630 Pro) using a single point or dual point anchor system with control push feed. General use is for geotechnical explorations to obtain soil stratigraphy and engineering properties. Shear wave velocity testing is used to evaluate seismic site classification and liquefaction potential. Dissipation testing is used to evaluate groundwater pressure (sand) and coefficient of consolidation (clay). Geological conditions typically include marine deposits (clay) and alluvium deposits (sand). Tests are commonly performed to a depth of 100 ft or push refusal. CPT explorations are commonly done for in-house geotechnical engineering projects along with exploration services for other consultants and contractors requesting CPT work. SGS can provide raw CPT data or engineering processing of the CPT data including seismic design reports upon request of the client.

Where do you do most of your work?

SGS services New England from our offices in Lewiston and Rockland, Maine. Much of our work is in Maine but we have conducted engineering services and CPT explorations in all the New England States (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI).

What made you choose Vertek?

USA manufacturing and location in Vermont was a big plus. We felt that would provide better service and response for cone system calibration and repair when needed. Was also the recommended CPT system based upon previous collaboration between AMS and Vertek. We purchased both our first drill rig (AMS 9500 VTR) and CPT system (Vertek VTK) together in 2012. We were able to bring our new AMS rig to Vermont for setup, testing, and training of the VTK system. In addition, SGS was able to field test the prototype “hammerable” fuel (LIF) probe at Randolph VT to assist Vertek in their research and development of the probe (don’t think it was ever fully brought to production). Customer service provided by Carl Tracy was also a big plus in providing our VTK system for our AMS Power Probe.

What has your experience been interacting with Vertek service/support?

Repair and part availability has been good with quick turnaround between us in Maine and Vertek in Vermont. Recent work with Jesse Mastine has also been good for parts and technical support when needed. Wil (the CPT guru) has been helpful in trouble shooting deeper technical issues when needed. We have recently ordered a second VTK system to equip both of our AMS Power Probes independently. We will also be looking forward to a third VTK system next year when we eventually add our newest and largest track rig (AMS 9580 VTR) to our drilling fleet to expand and provide more CPT capability in New England.

Are you ready to discuss how the Drill Rig Conversion Kit can help you get jobs done faster and with more accuracy? Contact us today!

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The Challenge

• In the mid-west, glacial clays can be problematic.
• Concerns about whether it was possible to utilize CPT in Nebraska and New Mexico.
  • Cones unable to survive soil types.
  • Test able to get to depths required.
• Most cone equipment is European-based, leading to costly delays in service and support.

The Solution

• A 25 Ton Vertek CPT Track rig with integrated electronics and software.
• Easy to understand programming which removes the guesswork.
• Domestic, friendly, informative, and readily available customer support.

The Results

• Engineering and Governmental expectations met with every job, with ongoing contracts.
• Raw data available to the client directly after a push for preliminary analysis which is greatly valued.
• 10 yrs of success pushing cones across the country with Vertek CPT equipment with little to no problems getting what needed to be done with excellent results.

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A Q&A session with GEI Consultants

Where do you perform your CPT work?

We perform CPT’s on earthen dams/embankments, river sediment depths, USCOE projects from Ft. Peck Montana to New York, RR alignments, bridge embankments, and Power plants.

A little of everything you can imagine from Water, RR bridges, Landfills, the stability of tail basins for the mines. We also oversee other companies performing CPT. We just worked in Asantana, Kazahkstan overseeing a new energy exposition 2016 project for both SPT’s and CPT. Also have overseen CPT testing in Doha, Qatar.

When did CPT first become of interest to GEI Consultants and why?

We have over 30 years of CPT testing experience. In the late 80’s we purchased a 30T CPT truck and traveled around the US performing CPT on challenging geo-technical projects. In the mid-90’s we sold our truck and started to perform CPT testing behind drill rigs. At the time we had a fleet of 18 drill rigs from track mounted, ATV, truck mounted, Barge mounted, etc. We get involved with delicate soils all the time.

In some cases even when continuous SPT sampling you can’t always detect small seams that we’re interested in. This is where CPT comes into the picture on a lot of projects. One larger failure project was the TVA tailing basin project in Kingston, TN. We used CPT with continuous sampling for the root cause investigation.

What is the primary type of equipment GEI has outfitted with CPT capabilities and what has been the result?

We have two complete Vertek Hogentogler systems with 5T, 10T tension cones, conductivity module, seismic, pore pressure, and temp. We have had great success pushing through challenging soils throughout the United States. We’ve worked with MN DOT helping them complete backlog when their equipment was fully utilized.

Our typical production behind a drill rig is ~500 linear feet per day pushing 20’ soundings, and ~600 linear feet per day pushing 100’ soundings. We have had great seismic data and have compared it with both Downhole and Crosshole seismic data collected at the same location at Nuclear and Coal plants. We’ve performed CPT on any type of soil or location imaginable. Key is to know the gear and the limitations.

Visit the CPT University section for the full interview with Sean Brady, Senior Instrumentation Specialist with GEI Consultants. 

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