Non-Retrievable (Lost) Casing Pipes

Non-retrievable casing pipes, also known as sacrificial or permanent casing installations, represent a specialized drilling technique employed in micropile foundation work where steel casing remains in place within the borehole rather than being extracted after drilling completion. This methodology is utilized across diverse geotechnical applications where ground conditions, project economics, or structural requirements make permanent casing integration the optimal solution. The practice involves driving or rotating casing strings into the ground during micropile installation, with outer diameters typically ranging from 60mm to 300mm, depending on load-bearing requirements and borehole stability needs. Once the drill bit advances through the casing and penetrates the bearing stratum, the decision to leave casing in place is made based on soil composition, groundwater conditions, and design specifications for the micropile system. The equipment and techniques employed in non-retrievable casing operations demand specialized drilling rigs capable of handling both rotary and percussive drilling methods. Continuous flight auger rigs, rotary piling equipment, and tracked drilling machines equipped with appropriate mast assemblies facilitate casing installation in challenging ground conditions. The process typically incorporates temporary casing removal tools, drilling assemblies with integral drilling bits, and bentonite-based drilling fluids or air flush systems to maintain borehole stability while advancing through clay, sandy soils, rock formations, or mixed strata. Micropile drilling rigs with variable speed capabilities and high torque ratings are essential for managing casing advancement in dense soils and handling the frictional resistance encountered during installation. Non-retrievable casing applications span diverse foundation engineering sectors including underpinning of existing structures, retrofitting projects, slope stabilization, ground improvement in urban environments, and support of buildings constructed in unstable or contaminated soils. This technique proves particularly valuable in areas with high groundwater tables, where permanent casing prevents ground water ingress and protects the microcement or grouting components of the micropile system. Additionally, non-retrievable casing reduces installation time compared to traditional cased drilling methodologies, as equipment operators eliminate the extraction phase from project schedules. The permanent steel casing contributes structural integrity to the micropile system, distributing load transfer more effectively through unstable soil layers and enhancing overall foundation performance in problematic ground conditions commonly encountered in urban redevelopment and critical infrastructure projects.