Typically speaking, core hole drilling involves a process of the removal of material with the use of a cylindrical hollow drill. Core drilling is generally used in geotechnical research and engineering, mining industries, and construction industries. Core drills are used for not only cutting cylindrical holes into materials but also for extracting materials for examination. The core drills feature 3 main parts which are made up of a bit, a handle, and a motor.
What Are Core Hole Drills Used For?
Concrete core drilling involves a process that is commonly used in construction for cutting holes into concrete walls, floors, ceilings, or structures.
Some of the common applications that core drilling is used for includes installing:
- Plumbing
- HVAC Ducts
- Reinforcements
- Phone Lines
- Pipelines
- Sprinkler Systems
- Tunnels
- Manholes
- Utility Holes
- Parking Garages
The more common construction sectors that require concrete core hole drilling include erecting new buildings, interior renovations, municipal projects, bridge retrofitting, and many other industrial or commercial projects.
How Does A Core Hole Drill Work?
Diamond concrete drills are required for core hole concrete drilling. The bits used for this equipment are steel tubes that are impregnated with industrial diamond pieces. The drill mounts on a drilling shaft which is is then secured to a structure that will be drilled into.
Once the drilling process is completed, there is a concrete “slug” (the core), inside of the bit that can then be extracted out of the hole. This is made possible due to the hollow centre of the drill, which means the slug is kept inside the defined area. The slug or core is usually analyzed to determine the strength or stability of a structure.
Core drills are also designed to cut through other types of materials other than concrete. Some of these common materials include fibreglass, granite, rock, porcelain tile, ice, and limestone.
What Are The Advantages Of Using Core Hole Drilling?
Concrete core hole drilling provides a number of benefits for construction over standard drilling methods. Some of these include:
- Less Disruption
Core drilling will produce less vibration and noise when compared to jack drills, which makes it a preferred choice for areas such as schools, offices, or hospitals.
- Less Dust Levels And Mess
Core hole drilling results in less mess and dust during these processes. This helps to protect the operators and any other people in the area by lowering the likelihood of them developing a respiratory issue.
- Increased Safety For The Surrounding Structures
Core drilling allows for a way to maintain the structural integrity of the surrounding materials and results in less overall risks throughout these processes.
- Cost-Effectiveness
Core concrete drilling requires less manpower, which allows construction companies to cut down on their labour costs. Diamond core drills made for concrete are also very durable, which means they offer a much longer service life.
- Precise And Efficient Work
Core hole drilling processes produce more accurate and cleaner holes effectively and quickly.
