Omega Drilling is pleased to announce that we have added the Geotech AB NOVA CPT cone (supplied by Geoprobe Systems) to our list of services. This system is the fastest, most productive and accurate CPT on the market today. The Geotech AB NOVA CPT has always been unique in the geotechnical industry and is known for its cordless data transmission system: a constant digital stream of data is sent to the surface through the sounding rods. No cable through the rods is needed in the cordless setup.

Geotech AB NOVA CPT Cone

Typical CPT sampling involves the operator running cable through the drill rods, which is time consuming and creates additional hazards during testing. With the NOVA CPT system, the operator does not have to manage data cable as the rods are cycled in and out of the sounding hole. Rod handling is efficient, and the risk of cable damage is eliminated.

Features of NOVA CPT

• Wireless NOVA cone and data transmission technology makes logging quicker and easier!
• The only CPT probe industry-wide that provides a constant stream of real-time data while you’re probing… without a cord downhole. Information collected includes soil resistance on the cone tip, resistance on the outer sides, and pore pressures generated during the test.
• The only wireless data transmission system of its kind
• Data transmission methods: Acoustic NOVA
• New cone design offers 18-bit resolution with improved strength and gauge measurement accuracy.
• Repeatable penetration results
• Interpret results quickly with user-friendly CPT-PRO software for comprehensive data evaluation.  Or by the free DI Viewer.
• Nova cones supplied by Geoprobe adhere to the national standards for construction (ASTM D-5778 Standard Test Method for Performing Electronic Friction Cone and Piezocone Penetration Testing of Soils, as well as ISO 22476-1-11:2004).

SCPT’s

Seismic Cone Penetration Testing (SCPT) provides a rapid and cost-effective method for directly measuring shear wave velocity of soils in situ, while pushing CPT. Shear wave velocity is used as an index of liquefaction resistance since both are influenced by many of the same factors. Alternatives to using SCPT for these geotechnical analyses can require laboratory testing or less reliable, highly empirical assessments.

Omega Driller Performing SCPT

SCPT shear wave velocity measurements are used in these evaluations:

• Liquefaction risk

• Earthquake generated ground-surface movements

• Foundations for vibrating equipment

• Behavior of offshore structures due to wave loading

The SCPT probe consists of a seismic section threaded to a standard CPT probe. The CPT probe records tip resistance, sleeve friction, pore pressure, and tilt angle while the seismic section is used to measure the shear wave velocities. The amount of data that is measured is too great for cordless transmission, so the SCPT probe is run with the same data cable used in cabled CPT operation.

Omega Environmental & Geotechnical Drilling is committed to providing the best equipment, experienced operators and updated technologies to best serve our clients and this NOVA CPT system is a gamechanger! Call today to see how we can be of service to your next drilling program.