Rivicore Project Spotlight: Rotary Core Drilling at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital

For this recent geotechnical investigation, Rivicore took on a complex and demanding drilling task right in the heart of a Charlotte Maxeke Hospital . The project involved rotary core drilling under truly challenging conditions, showcasing our team’s expertise and problem-solving skills.

Challenging Site Conditions:
We had to operate in the hospital’s basement, which meant maneuvering our drilling rig on a pallet jack to get it into position. Without the luxury of a sump, we had to drill using a barrel system to manage water and cuttings—something that requires a good deal of finesse and expertise.

Lifting to New Heights:
In addition, our team faced the challenge of lifting the rig by crane to drill on the hospital’s second and third floors. This was crucial to allow engineers to design new piles after the previous structural elements had been compromised by a fire incident.

Project Success:
In the end, we successfully completed the drilling, providing the geotechnical data needed for the hospital’s future structural plans. This project highlighted our ability to adapt to difficult environments and still deliver top-notch results.