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Vibracoring

Integral provides specialized vibracore sampling services using custom equipment designed to collect long-core sediment samples in challenging environments, from shallow wetlands to deep ocean waters.

Sampling Capabilities

Our vibracore systems excel at collecting continuous soil and sediment cores up to 40 feet in length from unconsolidated soils and marine sediments. This versatile technique serves both geotechnical analysis and environmental sampling needs across diverse project requirements.

Deployment Platforms

We support vibracore operations across multiple environments using specialized platforms:

      • Shallow-draft pontoon vessels and barges for protected waters
      • Open-water research vessels for offshore work
      • Whalers and skiffs for nearshore access
      • Customized trucks for terrestrial and wetland sampling

Project Experience

Our experienced personnel have successfully deployed vibracore systems for government and private sector clients across extensive geographic regions, including Alaska, Hawaii, California’s Northern and Southern coastlines, San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Deltas, numerous California lakes and rivers, plus locations in Texas, Ohio, Minnesota, and Louisiana.

Technical Specifications

Integral’s proprietary vibracore systems feature precision-engineered components for reliable performance:

Motor System: Two counter-rotating three-phase, 220 volt electric motors housed in watertight aluminum casing, powered by portable generator with variable speed control (20-60 Hz frequency range)

Core Assembly: 4-inch diameter aluminum tubing with unique clamping system, equipped with specialized check valve or piston for enhanced core recovery and retention

Sample Protection: Food-grade polyethylene liner creates clean barrier between equipment and sample material, ensuring sample integrity

Cutting System: Stainless-steel core cutter and finger trap attachment for efficient sediment penetration

Stabilization Options: Compatible with stand, cage, or float packages to maintain system stability in challenging conditions including wave action and strong currents

Operating Range: Our vibracore systems demonstrate exceptional versatility, operating successfully in moist terrestrial soils and underwater environments up to 1,000 feet deep.

Ready to Start Your Vibracoring Project?

Whether you need sediment sampling for environmental assessment, geotechnical analysis, or research applications, our experienced team is ready to deploy the right vibracore solution for your project requirements. Contact Ken Kronschnabl at kkronschnabl@integral-corp.

Case Studies

20211122_070833

CalWave, San Diego

Redfish-Rocks-Marine-Reserve

National Science Foundation

NoiseSpotter Testing

Office of Naval Research—Vandenberg Space Force Base and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Publications

Raghukumar, K., G. Chang, F.W. Spada, and C.A. Jones. 2019. NoiseSpotter: A rapidly deployable acoustic monitoring and localization system. D. Vicinanza et al. (eds), In Proc. of the 13th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, Naples, Italy.

Raghukumar, K., G. Chang, F. Spada, C. Jones, J. Spence, S. Griffin, and J. Roberts. 2019. Performance characteristics of a vector sensor array in an energetic tidal channel. pp. 653–658. J.S. Papadakis (ed), In Proc. of the Fifth Underwater Acoustics Conference and Exhibition, Crete, Greece.

Raghukumar, K., G. Chang, F. Spada, and C. Jones. 2020. A vector sensor-based acoustic characterization system for marine renewable energy. J. Mar. Sci. Engr. 8(3):187. doi:10.3390/jmse8030187.

Chang, G., Harker-Klimeš, G., Raghukumar, K., Polagye, B., Haxel, J., Joslin, J., and Spada, F. 2021. Clearing a path to commercialization of marine renewable energy technologies through public-private collaboration. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8:669413.

Borland, L.K., Heppell, S.A., Chapple, T.K., Raghukumar, K., Henkel, S.K. 2023. Responses of Oregon Demersal Species to Seismic Survey Noise: Evaluating Behavior and Movement. In: Popper, A.N., Sisneros, J., Hawkins, A.D., Thomsen, F. (eds) The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life. Springer, Chamhttps://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10417-6_18-1.