Sonic Drilling Investigation on Collegiate Athletic Field

Project Overview

A national environmental and geotechnical engineering consulting firm engaged Summit's Sonic Drilling Division to perform a high-resolution subsurface investigation on Princeton University's baseball field. The project required the advancement of sonic borings to depths of up to 40 feet to support environmental and geotechnical data needs. Work was performed using Sonic technology over a four-day drilling program.

Challenge/Conditions:

The project took place directly on a collegiate athletic surface, an artificial turf baseball field, requiring exceptional care to avoid damage to the turf system, drainage layers, and sub-base materials. Limited access routes, strict university protection requirements, and the need to maintain field integrity elevated the complexity beyond that of a typical drilling assignment.

Services Provided:

• Sonic drilling of multiple borings up to 40 feet
• Continuous soil core collection for environmental and geotechnical evaluation
• Protective measures to safeguard artificial turf and sub-surface drainage systems
• Controlled equipment mobilization to prevent turf indentation or heat transfer
• Daily restoration and site protection during multi-day operations

Solutions/Approach:

Summit implemented specialized turf protection protocols, including ground pads, equipment staging mats, and low-impact movement procedures to prevent disturbance to the synthetic playing surface. The Sonic rig was positioned with precision to minimize surface loading, and drilling fluids and cuttings were contained to avoid surface staining or drainage infiltration. Crews advanced sonic borings efficiently over the four-day schedule while maintaining continuous communication with the customer's project manager and Princeton facilities staff. All work zones were restored daily to maintain field usability and aesthetics.

Outcome/Results:

All sonic borings were successfully advanced to the required depths with zero impact to the artificial turf field. The project was completed on schedule, met all university protection requirements, and delivered high-quality subsurface data to support the engineering customer's project objectives. Summit's ability to operate sensitive equipment in a non-traditional, high-visibility environment reinforced the division's precision, care, and technical capability.