Geocore was engaged by Curtins to carry out a site investigation project at a hospital in Leeds. The scope of work involved collaboration across multiple internal teams and included rotary drilling, windowless sampling, hand pitting, and the deployment of one of our compact tracked rigs. Approximately one year later, the team returned to the site to conduct additional investigative works.
The scope involved multiple specialist teams working collaboratively to deliver rotary drilling, windowless sampling, and hand-pitting operations. Key equipment included our Comacchio 405 drilling rig and a smaller tracked rig designed for confined spaces. Throughout the initial phase, the team successfully drilled 17 rotary Geobore-S holes reaching depths of up to 25 metres, installing gas and monitoring wells while managing complex conditions such as artesian water presence at each borehole location.
Building on the success of the first phase, Geocore was invited back for a second stage of investigation in early 2024, requiring two dedicated teams to provide further subsurface data essential for the hospital’s ongoing development. This phase involved drilling four rotary cored boreholes up to 30 metres deep with the Geobore-S system, alongside 17 window sampling boreholes using a compact tracked rig for limited-access areas. Standard Penetration Tests (SPTs) were systematically conducted to ensure the reliability of the data, with boreholes fitted with flush covers to maintain site safety post-investigation.
Additional site operations included the excavation of 24 hand pits, supported by TRL probes and JCB-assisted trial pits. To assist with borehole access and manual pitting within the hospital car park, Geocore subcontracted a Vac-Ex machine and crew, enabling precise excavation with minimal disruption. The live hospital setting posed significant logistical challenges, demanding strict adherence to safety protocols and effective coordination to avoid impacting hospital operations.
Despite these complexities, the Geocore teams demonstrated exceptional professionalism and efficiency, completing the project on schedule while maintaining high standards of quality and site safety. The client commended the team’s adaptability and dedication, leading to continued collaboration on subsequent phases. This project highlights Geocore’s capability to deliver technically demanding ground investigations within sensitive and operationally restricted environments.