Many kinds of construction projects require the installation of different types of anchors for the job. In fact, special drills can be affixed to many different kinds of portable equipment depending on the needs of the project. Here is a closer look at anchor drills and some of things they are capable of today.
Air Track Drills
Air track drills are often used in mining and engineering projects. Because of the rough terrain they sometimes need to maneuver, these drills are usually attached to equipment with caterpillar tracks. The drills are operated by air motors. In this way, the drilling process can use an “air hammer” type of action in addition to drilling.
Percussion Anchor Drills
Percussion drills utilize a compressor which delivers compressed air through a piston inside of a cylinder. It literally pounds the surface with great force over and over, and can be used alone or with a rotary drill action also.
Hydraulic Drills
Hydraulic drills can serve a number of purposes. Using the principle of hydrodynamics, a drill is powered in much the same way as a hydraulic brake system works. These drills are capable of providing a great deal of drilling pressure and are often used for wells and excavation as well as for anchor drilling.
Earth Anchor Drills
Many of these anchors are driven into the ground with impact equipment. You’ll see these anchors supporting large structures. In some cases, the applications are permanent (retaining walls) and they also may be temporary (circus tents). Here are some additional applications:
* Floating dock installations
* Pipelines
* Radio towers
* Utility poles
* Securing aircraft
* Landscaping projects
* Special drainage systems
* Geothermal projects
How Anchors Work
Anchors are designed to support and hold certain structures in place. This keeps them from moving or shifting and makes structures solid. For example, anchors for large retaining walls and conservation projects must hold back a tremendous amount of force and are often implanted into solid rock.
The shape of the hole drilled by anchor drills is important and also the shape of the anchor. Once they are properly installed and a load is placed on the anchors, they exert force to the ground above them. At the same time the soil provides resistance. Several factors influence the integrity of the anchor.
* Size and angle of the installation
* Angle of the soil or rock the anchor is placed in
* Depth of the anchor
* The load or amount of force being applied to the anchor
