SOCOTEC has worked with the geotechnical research team from Brunel University London to undertake pioneering fieldwork at Ashford Hill, Hampshire, UK, to gain an understanding of drift-filled hollows.

The collaborative research, which took place in April, was done at a site of special scientific interest; Ashford Hill, between Reading and Newbury, is a national nature reserve owned and protected by Natural England. As well as having diverse wildlife, Ashford Hill is a site of great geological importance due to an underlying large, natural and undisturbed drift-filled hollow. This geological anomaly is one of the only known areas to be untouched by man and engineering - due to its location outside of central London.

Using a drilling method gifted by Pagani Geotechnical, four cone penetration tests were taken to a depth of 16m at locations across the hollow. Earlier in the project, augering was undertaken at the site down to a maximum depth (and extreme physical exertion) of 4.2m.

"It is with thanks to Natural England for allowing us to bring a rig onto site," said Amy Flynn, PhD at Brunel University London. "Together, with SOCOTEC's drilling expertise and the training of Brunel staff - by Chris White at MGS - in the use of the Pagani penetrometer rig (TG 63-150), this project phase was a drilling success."