Introduction to Trenchless Methods

Presented by

Glenn M. Boyce, PhD, PE Senior Associates

April 21, 2009

Presentation Objectives
Provide a better understanding of trenchless methods used for new installations Learn the advantages and limitations of the methods Discuss contractor qualifications

Types of Infrastructure
Gas Pressure Water Pressure Sewer Gravity Drainage Gravity Power Non-gravity Communications Non-gravity

Trenchless Methods
Impact moling Pipe ramming Auger boring Pilot tube Pipe jacking / Microtunneling Conventional tunneling Horizontal directional drilling Pipe bursting

Generic Size and Length

Method Moling Ramming Auger Bore Pilot Tube Microtunneling Pipe Jacking HDD Tunneling Size Length 2 - 12 150 8 - 72 300 8 - 60 250 6 - 42 300 12 - 108 1,500 >54 3,000 2 - 48 6,500 >60 Any length

What to Do?
Choose the right method Use established Standards Collect information/investigate Plan ahead Conduct risk assessments Include mechanisms to handle conflicts

Use the Right Method

Open cut Horizontal Directional Drilling Auger boring Pipe ramming Pipe jacking 1996 Microtunneling Tunneling

Auger Boring
Road crossings Cohesive soils Short distances Above water table Need steel casing Minor steering

60-inch Diameter SBU-A

Pilot Tube Method

Medium distances Straight alignments with good accuracy Variety of soils Smaller shafts Moderate equipment costs

Step 1

Step 2

Pilot Tube + Plus

Now used as a guide for other method
Auger boring Pipe Ramming

Pipe Ramming
Wide range of diameters Soils only Continuously supported Typically < 300 Above and below water table Need steel casing No steering control

Installation Method
Ramming in continuous length or segments

Ramming in Progress

Pilot tube

Pipe Jacking
Large diameters Soils and mixed ground Face supported Long distances Above the water table Steerable

Microtunneling
Range of diameters (> 12) All ground types Continuous face support Long distances Above or below water table Range of pipe materials Steerable to line and grade

Micro vs Utility Tunneling

Remotely operated Precise guidance Pipes jacked from launch pit Continuous support to face

Conventional Rib & Lagging Tunnel

Microtunnel

Tunnel Shield Construction

Lining is built within shield. Lining does not move longitudinally after placement.

Required Axial Thrust versus Length of Drive for Same Diameter

Opposite Approaches
Open Cut Trenchless

What happens

Understand

happens

and plan

What to Do?
Understand the site history and potential obstructions Look at old aerial photos Conduct a geotechnical program Locate all utilities

Potential Obstructions
Cobbles or Boulders Wood Fill materials Hard zones Mixed faces

Typical Machine Sizes

Piercing 2 to 3 inches Pilot Tube 6 to 36 inches HDD 6 to 54 inches Auger Boring 10 to 60 inches Pipe Jacking/MT 12 to 96 inches Pipe Ramming 12 to 144 inches Shield 60 to 144 inches

Typical CMP Culverts

Replacement Issues
Need to increase size for aquatic passage Must keep existing culvert active during construction Minimize costs Develop the best cross section Use the right materials

Possible Solutions

Consume the Culvert

Use Liner Plate Tunnel

Design Solutions
Built a parallel pipe barrel
Increases capacity Allow the existing to remain in service Get to use the materials you want

Slipline the existing after new Built a new entry and exit apron

Closing Thoughts
Methods still evolving Many hybrid methods emerging Better alignment control emerging in auger boring applications Must identify potential obstructions (or get X-ray vision)

HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING (HDD)

Samuel T. Ariaratnam, PhD, PE Arizona State University

Background
Lengths up to 8,400 feet Diameters of 2 54 Applications:
Utility conduits Pipelines Gravity sewers Force mains Horizontal remediation wells Geotechnical investigations

Pilot Bore and Tracking

Pilot Bore

Drill Bits

Reaming/Hole Enlargement
Reaming

Reamers

CLAY

ANNULAR SPACE REGION

SAND

ANNULAR SPACE REGION

Pipe Material Distribution

Underground Construction Magazine 9th Annual Survey, June 2007

Conclusions
HDD is a minimally-intrusive trenchless construction method suited for highly congested urban areas and high traffic zones Horizontal Directional Drilling equipment is capable of installing a wide range of utilities HDD will never replace traditional open-cut methods; however, they complement each other

PIPE BURSTING

Samuel T. Ariaratnam, Ph.D., P.E. Arizona State University

Pipe Bursting
Lengths typically 300-600 ft
Diameters up to 42
Static Head

Pneumatic Head

Applications: replacement of force mains replacement of gravity

sewers

Common Types of Bursting Systems

Pneumatic Systems - Usually include a pneumatic tool and winch and bursts the pipe using the kinetic energy of the tool. The pipe is usually attached to either the burst head or tool. Static Systems Usually include a hydraulic power source and a rod shuttling system and use high tonnage to pull new line into place.

Small Portable Systems - Either pneumatic or static for doing small diameter and short runs (e.g. laterals).

Introduction

Emerging field of pipe replacement Replacement of the host pipe by fragmenting the existing conduit and installing a completely new pipe of equal diameter or larger in its place.

Applications

Total pipe replacement Typical upsize as much as 20 30% Industrial & Municipal - Main Line & Laterals Various host and product pipe materials Continuous or Sectional pipe installation

Pipe Bursting Feasibility

May achieve lower costs compared to open trench Less construction time Minimal excavation Social cost savings Reduces ground settlement Low environmental impact

Static Method (Continuous)

Static Method (Sectional)

Pneumatic Method

Almost all types of pipe can be burst

Cast iron Steel Ductile iron High Density Polyethylene Polyvinylchloride Concrete Reinforced concrete Asbestos cement Clay

STEEL

Various Host Materials

VITRIFIED CLAY

CAST IRON

650mm (26)

750mm (30)

350mm (14)

Conclusions
Pipe bursting is the only trenchless method capable of installing a new pipe of equal or larger diameter as a replacement option Almost any type of existing pipe can be burst and replaced with most pipe materials Proper planning is critical to project success!

CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS & PRE-QUALIFICATION

Introduction
The majority of trenchless contractors are reliable and follow good installation practices However, agencies must be aware of those few cowboy contractors Qualifying contractors is a recommended practice for trenchless projects to ensure use of competent contractors

Specifications
Manufacturers Recommended Specifications Industry/Association Specification Guidelines Project Specific

Testing & Inspection

Quality Assurance & Controls in Specifications Trained Inspectors Testing by Owner Laboratory Final CCTV Inspection of the Installed Pipe

Protection of Existing Utilities

Call in Locates Obtain As-Built Maps (Shared Responsibility) Mark Utilities (Utility Owners) Confirm Utilities (Pothole) (Excavator) Protect (Excavator)

Protection of Existing Utilities Locate Marks

As-Builts, Operator Logs, Notes

Contractor is responsible for marking the plans to indicate any and all vertical and horizontal deviations between the design and actual installation Operator logs/notes should be maintained and updated daily by the Contractor and should include
Pipe number, depth, pitch, steering commands, and notes

Logbook/Field Notes

Contractor Submittals
Proof of success on prior similar projects Pipe material, diameter, length Make/model of equipment, guidance equipment, fluid mixture Slurry disposal plan Contingency plan Safe plan and protocols Certification by the manufacturer that the Contractors personnel are trained in the use of the equipment Training certification for pipe installation Fusion training certification for HDPE Construction Plan & Installation Schedule Traffic Control Plan

Damage Avoidance

Trenchless Training Courses

Horizontal Directional Drilling Good Practices Pipe Bursting Good Practices New Installation Methods Good Practices Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) Good Practices Sewer Laterals Rehabilitation & Replacement
(www.nastt.org)

Caltrans Inspector Training

Classroom

Field Exercises

Conclusions
Well-written specifications are important to minimize claims Hiring a competent contractor can be achieved through pre-qualification There are numerous available trenchless technology options