How Does a Core Drill Work?

Determine the Type of Core Drilling: Construction

Some instances require a cylinder of material to be removed so the cavity can be used. For example, in construction, concrete core drilling may be required to install handrail posts. The worker will measure equal distances for the posts and core drill the concrete. The hole required may be 3 or 4 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep, depending on the load requirements of the handrail.

Construction companies also use core drilling when large diameter sections of concrete or stone need to be removed for manholes or piping.

Mineral Core Drilling

This type of core drilling works the same way. However, a much longer bit is required as samples of rock or ice may need to be drilled anywhere from several hundred to several thousand feet deep. Geologists will take the preserved mineral samples and examine them for mineral percentages and stratigraphic contact points. This process is used by companies who plan to mine a certain area. It is also used once mining has begun and further tests are required, oftentimes resulting in the abandoning of mining operations.

Ice Core Drilling

This process is very similar to mineral core drilling. The team will drill for ice cores with trapped air bubbles that contain the presence of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes, which provide information about the climate throughout time periods.
These ice cores are removed typically from the ice sheets found in Antarctica.