Mat

What Does Mat Mean?

A mat, in terms of trenchless technology, is a portable foundation for drilling rigs and equipment, such as mud tanks and reclamation units, and is an essential element of a rig up package. A mat is also an essential element of a ramming operation which requires a solid base be established in the insertion pit. The floor of the insertion pit should be sloped and leveled to match the specific grade of the bore and it should have a base of crushed rock at least 6 inches thick. It is further recommended to pour a concrete mat and install guide rails set to the line of the bore on the mat.

Trenchlesspedia Explains Mat

Mats offer drilling equipment a solid, level footing on unstable soil or in environmentally challenged areas. Stability is essential to maintain the bore within the design pathway and to prevent rollover incidents involving the rig or equipment. A mat distributes the weight of the equipment over a large, stable footprint just as a building's foundation distributes the occupant's weight over a large area.

Mats may be constructed from wood, pierced steel plank or engineering materials.