Subsurface Exploration Services
Accurate geotechnical recommendations start with quality subsurface data. Our exploration programs are designed to characterize the soil and rock conditions beneath your project site at the depths that matter for foundation design, slope stability, and earthwork. We select the drilling method and sampling interval based on the anticipated geology, project loads, and regulatory requirements of the local jurisdiction.
Moment Engineering coordinates the full exploration scope: DigAlert (811) utility clearance, drilling permits (where required), mobilization of equipment appropriate for the site access, continuous soil sampling and logging by a field engineer, and transport of samples to an accredited geotechnical laboratory. All boring logs conform to ASTM D2488 (visual-manual classification) and USCS conventions.
Need Subsurface Exploration? Get a fixed-fee proposal — typically within 24 hours.
Depends on number of borings, depth, and access conditions.
Fees vary by site conditions, scope, and jurisdiction. Request a proposal for a fixed-fee quote tailored to your project.
What's Included
Hollow-Stem Auger Drilling
The standard method for geotechnical borings in Southern California soils. Continuous sampling with SPT or California Modified sampler through the hollow stem at 2.5- or 5-foot intervals.
Rock Coring
NX-size diamond core drilling through sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, and other formational bedrock encountered below alluvial cover. Core recovery and RQD (Rock Quality Designation) are logged in the field.
Hand Auger Borings
For limited-access sites, backyards, and shallow investigations. Hand auger borings reach 10–15 feet and provide soil samples for classification and lab testing without heavy equipment.
Test Pits
Backhoe-excavated test pits allow direct observation of soil layering, fill/native contacts, and buried obstructions. Typically 5–10 feet deep and useful for verifying existing fill conditions.
Boring Logs & Field Classification
Each boring is logged in real-time by a field engineer. Logs include soil descriptions (USCS), blow counts, sample depths, groundwater observations, and drilling behavior notes.
Utility Clearance & Permitting
We handle DigAlert (811) mark-outs and obtain encroachment or drilling permits from the local jurisdiction when borings are in the public right-of-way.
When You Need Drilling & Exploration
Subsurface exploration is the field component of a geotechnical investigation. The exploration scope depends on the project type, structural loads, and local geology.