Rotary Core Drilling – American International School of Johannesburg

Rivicore Overcomes Complex Access Challenges at the American International School of Johannesburg

Rivicore recently completed a highly specialised Rotary Core Drilling investigation at the American International School of Johannesburg, where innovative thinking was just as important as technical expertise.

The investigation was required inside the school’s library building, located in the centre of the campus and surrounded by existing buildings and landscaped areas. Access to the drilling location presented a significant challenge, as there was no route that would allow the use of a trailer, forklift, or other conventional equipment without risking damage to the school’s infrastructure.

Rather than allowing access constraints to delay the project, our team designed and fabricated a specialised braked transport trolley capable of safely moving our one-ton rotary core drilling rig through the school grounds. Using careful planning and a great deal of teamwork, the rig was manually transported to the drilling positions without causing any damage to the surrounding infrastructure.

Although establishing the equipment required considerable effort, the planning paid off. Rivicore successfully completed the drilling programme to specification while meeting the client’s requirements and maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism.

Projects like these demonstrate that successful geotechnical investigations often depend on more than drilling expertise alone. They require practical engineering solutions, adaptability, and a commitment to overcoming complex site constraints.

At Rivicore, we take pride in finding solutions where others see obstacles, ensuring our clients receive reliable geotechnical data regardless of the challenges presented by the site.