A soil auger is a tool used to bore a hole in the ground, in order to take soil samples, place piles or pipes, or investigate how the soil is built up. Soil augers come in many forms, from a simple hand auger to a heavy, machine-driven rig.
Types of soil auger
- Edelman auger — a hand auger with a screw- or bucket-shaped head for taking soil samples
- Gouge or push sampler — for undisturbed samples from soft soil layers
- Screw (spiral) auger — for boring holes, for example for pile foundations or fencing
- Machine auger — large flight augers and rigs for foundation piles and deep bores
Application
Soil augers are used for:
- Site investigation — taking samples to determine soil build-up and bearing capacity
- Foundations — boring holes for cast-in-place piles
- Garden and grounds — setting posts for fencing, pergolas and outbuilding foundations
- Monitoring wells and drainage — boring for groundwater measurements or drainage
The choice of auger depends on the soil type, the required depth and whether a hole or a sample is needed. In soft or wet ground, casing is sometimes needed to prevent collapse.
Related Terms
- Site investigation
- Monitoring well
- Auger
- Pile foundation
- Drainage
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