An Introduction to Trenchless Technology

An Introduction to Trenchless Technology

Steven R. Kramer William J. McDonald James C. Thomson

m CHAPMAN & HALL

New York· London

DISCLAIMER-LEGAL NOTICE

This book was prepared by Steven R. Kramer, William J. McDonald and James C. Thomson as an introduction and overview of the broad field of trenchless technology. None of the authors:

a. , Makes any warranty or representation, express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of the information contained in this book.

b. Assumes any liability with the respect to the use of, or for damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this book.

c. References to trade names or specific commercial products, commodities, or services in this book do not represent or constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the authors of the specific commercial product, commodity, or service.

Copyright © 1992 by Van Nostrand Reinhold Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1 st edition 1992

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 92 -13396 ISBN-13: 978-1-4615-7298-5

This edition published by Chapman & Hall One Penn Plaza New York, NY 10119

Published in Great Britain by Chapman & Hall 2-6 Boundary Row London SEl 8HN

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, induding photocopying and recording, or by an information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

16 15 14 13 12 II 109 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Kramer, Steven R., 1960-An introduction to trenchless tec/mology I by Steven R. Kramer,

William J. McDonald, James C. Thomson. p. cm,

hlcludes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-1-4615-7298-5 e-ISBN-13: 978-1-4615-7296-1 DOl: 10.1 007/978-1-4615-7296-1 1. Trenchless construction. I. McDonald, William Jesse, 1938-

II. Thomson, James C., 1932- III. Title. TABlS.K73 1992 624-dc20 92-13396

CIP

Contents

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Chapter 1 Introduction and Overview 1

1.1 NEED FOR TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY 2

1.2 HORIZONTAL BORING TECHNIQUES 5

1.3 GENERAL PROCEDURES 12 1.4 SELECTION OF METHOD 13

1.5 LIMITATIONS 13

1.6 FUTURE OUTLOOK 14

1.7 LOOKING AHEAD 15

Chapter 2 Background 17

2.1 EARLY UNDERGROUND WORK 17

2.2 THE STIMULUS OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IS

2.2.1 The Beginning of Utilities IS 2.2.2 Developing Underground Methods 20 2.2.3 Inventors 21 2.2.4 Mechanical Drills 23

2.3 EARLYTRENCHLESS METHODS-lS90-1960 24 v

vi Contents

2.4 TRENCHLESS METHODS-1960-1985 28 2.4.1 Sewer Installation Methods 30 2.4.2 Installation Methods for Cable and Pressure Pipes 32 2.4.3 Trenchless Rehabilitation 34

Chapter 3 Creating the Hole 36

3.1 THRUST BORING 37

3.1.1 Description of Equipment and Operation 37 3.1.2 Specifications of Bore 39 3.1.3 Selection/User Considerations 41 3.1.4 Typical Applications 41

3.2 IMPACT MOLING 41

3.2.1. Description of Equipment and Operation 41 3.2.2 Specifications of Bore 43 3.2.3 Selection/User Considerations 43 3.2.4 Typical Applications 45

3.3 IMPACT RAMMING 45

3.3.1 Description of Equipment and Operation 45 3.3.2 Specifications of Bore 45 3.3.3 Selection/User Considerations 46

3.4 ROCK HAMMER 46 3.4.1 Description of Equipment and Operation 46

3.5 AUGER BORING 47

3.5.1 Description of Equipment and Operation 47 3.5.2 Specifications of Bore 53 3.5.3 Application and User Considerations 53

3.6 WET/SLURRY BORING 55

3.6.1 Description of Equipment and Operation 55 3.6.2 Specifications of Bore 56 3.6.3 Selection/User Considerations 57 3.6.4 Typical Applications 57

3.7 FLUID JET CUTTING 57 3.7.1 Description of Equipment and Operation 57 3.7.2 Specifications 61 3.7.3 Selection/User Considerations 62 3.7.4 Typical Applications 62

3.8 PIPE JACKING AND MICROTUNNELLING 62

3.9 ROTARY/DIRECTIONAL DRILLING 63

Contents vii

3.9.1 Description of Equipment and Operation 63 3.9.2 Specifications 65 3.9.3 Selection/User Considerations 65 3.9.4 Typical Applications 65

Chapter 4 Steerable Horizontal Boring 67

4.1 METHODS OF STEERING THE BIT 68

4.2 AVAILABLE SYSTEMS

4.2.1 Guided Impact Mole 4.2.2 Impact Mole on Pipe 4.2.3 Directional Rod Pushers

73

73 76

78 4.2.4 Directional Fluid Jet Cutting 80 4.2.5 Directional Drilling 81

4.3 PLANNING THE JOB 82

4.4 APPLICATIONS 83

4.5 PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING PROBLEMS 83

Chapter 5 Pipe Jacking and Microtunnelling 86

5.1 PIPE JACKING 86

5.1.1 Definition 86 5.1.2 Background 86 5.1.3 Pipe-Jacking Method 87 5.1.4 Main Applications of Pipe Jacking 98 5.1.5 Selection Criteria and Summary 98

5.2 MICROTUNNELLING 99

5.2.1 Definition 99 5.2.2 Classification 5.2.3 Pipe Installation

100 103

5.2.4 Techniques 106 5.2.5 Pilot Method 106 5.2.6 Full-Face Method 108 5.2.7 Performance Factors 110 5.2.8 Main Applications of Microtunnelling 112 5.2.9 House Conhection Systems 113 5.2.10 Full-Face Machines 114 5.2.11 Full-Face Microtunnelers 116

viii Contents

Chapter 6 On-Line Replacement and Structural Renovation 121

6.1 INTRODUCTION 121

6.2 OPTIONS 122

6.3 ON-LINE REPLACEMENT 122

6.3.1 Background 122 6.3.2 Extraction 123 6.3.3 Bursting 124 6.3.4 Hydraulic Bursters 128 6.3.5 Excavation Replacement 130 6.3.6 Melbourne System 132

6.4 RENOVATION 132

6.4.1 Background 132 6.4.2 Conventional Slip Lining 133 6.4.3 Modified Slip Lining 137 6.4.4 Soft-Lining Systems/Cured-In-Place Pipe 138 6.4.5. Alternative Systems 141 6.4.6 Temporary Reduction Methods 142 6.4.6.1 Diameter Reduction 142 6.4.6.2 Collapsed or Folded Sections 145 6.4.7 Spiral Winding 147 6.4.8 Spraying 149

Chapter 7 Instrumentation Systems for Guided Boring 152

7.1 UNGUIDED SYSTEMS 153

7.2 GUIDED BORING 154

7.2.1 Instrumentation Requirements 157 7.2.2 Measurement Considerations 157

7.3 GUIDANCE INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS 160

7.3.1 Pipe Locators 160 7.3.2 EM Home-to-Target Steering Tool 160 7.3.3 Laser Targeting System 164 7.3.4 Single-Shot/Multishot Survey Tools 165 7.3.5 Steering Tools 168 7.3.6 Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) Systems 170

Contents ix

7.4 EQUIPMENT SELECTION 173

7.5 NEEDS AND FUTURE TRENDS 175

Chapter 8 Economics of Trenchless Technology 176

8.1 ECONOMIC COSTS 177

8.2 OPEN-CUT METHOD 178

8.3 ECONOMIC STUDIES AND MODELS 179

8.4 EFFECT OF DRILLING RATE 179

8.5 SYSTEM UTILIZATION 181

Chapter 9 Investigation, Routing, and Location 186

9.1 SELECTION OF TRENCHLESS EQUIPMENT 187

9.2 PLANNING AND DESIGN OF PROJECT 190

9.3 JOB IMPLEMENTATION AND PRECAUTIONS 192

Chapter 10 Case Histories 194

10.1 CASE HISTORY 1: HORIZONTAL DRILLING 194

10.1.1 Description 194

10.2 CASE HISTORY 2: GUIDED PIERCING TOOL 195

10.2.1 Description 195

10.3 CASE HISTORY 3: MICROTUNNELLING 198

10.3.1 Description 198

10.4 CASE HISTORY 4: PIPELINE INSERTION MACHINE 199

10.4.1 Description 199

10.5 CASE HISTORY 5: UTILX GUIDEDRIL TUNNELLING MACHINE 201

10.5.1 Description 201

10.6 CASE HISTORY 6: MICROTUNNELLING 202

10.6.1 Description 202

10.7 CASE HISTORY 7: RENOVATION 203

10.7.1 Description 203

x Contents

Chapter 11 Future Needs 205

11.1 THE FUTURE IN PERSPECTIVE 205 11.2 ATTITUDES AND AWARENESS 206

11.2.1 Lack of Awareness 206 11.2.2 Resistance to Change 206 11.2.3 Respon~ibilities for Social Costs 206 11.2.4 Engine~ring and Planning 207 11.2.5 Costs of Work 207

11.3 TECHNICAL NEEDS 207 11.3.1 Investigation 207 11.3.2 Costs of Trenchless Methods 208 11.3.3 Improved Technology 209 11.3.4 Service Connections 210

Bibliography 211

Index 219

Preface

In the past decade, the field of trenchless technology has expanded rapidly in products, equipment, and utilization. This expansion would not have occurred without a strong increase in economic incentives to the user. Because the operating environment has changed, trenchless technology is often the preferred alternative to traditional methods of digging holes and installing conduits. The infrastructure in which we live has become more congested and has to be shared by several users. In addition, the cost of restoring a road or landscaped area after construction may be higher than the cost of installing the conduit. These factors add to the need for trenchless technology-the ability to dig holes without disturbing the surface. In some ways, trenchless technology is a futuristic concept. Ruth Krauss in a children's book of definitions wrote, "A Hole .. .Is to Dig." But this statement is not necessarily true. Today, a hole could be to bore.

Trenchless technology is not new. But it certainly has become the buzzword of the construction industry and it appears that it will have a growing impact in the way contractors, utilities, and others install new facilities. Methods to bore horizontal holes were practiced as early as the 18oos, but this technology has greatly changed. Today's tools include sophisticated drilling methods, state-of­the-art power systems, and electronic guidance techniques. These tools can bore faster, safer, and more accurately, and in many instances more economically, than open-cut methods. Technology has played an important role in these advances, but economics has become the driving force in making these systems popular.

When the idea of this book was first conceived, it was difficult to identify and select the specific topics to include. But as we began to look around, it became obvious that little information was available in a comprehensive format. Most of the information on trenchless technology was scattered among trade journals and proceedings of various technical symposiums. There was no single source for the contractor or engineer for general information or as a guide to the alternative methods.

xi

xii Preface

The purpose of this book is to provide a broad overview of the options for trenchless technology, including case histories and user economics. This book is intended to serve as a primer or as an introductory technical book. It is not expected to be a user handbook. It is written for utility engineers, consulting engineers, contractors, and municipal and state engineers. It provides an understanding of the options available for different situations in which trenchless technology could be used. The technologies for creating holes less than 36 inches (1 meter) are emphasized. Chapters 1 and 2 introduce the reader to trenchless technology and include sections on its historical development. The remainder of the book describes the various options available (chapters 3 to 7). It is divided into a format that will allow you to skip sections that do not pertain to your situation. Special chapters are dedicated to guided boring and instrumentation. These technological developments are critical in the expanded use of trenchless methods. The technology descriptions are followed by chapters on economics, investigation, routing,· and location and perhaps most important, case histories. It is hoped that the case histories will be especially helpful in understanding the advantages and limitations of the equip­ment.

It was difficult to combine the thoughts, ideas, and writing styles of three authors who are scattered in different regions, but it is hoped that the diversity of perspec­tives will provide a thorough understanding of the various technologies. The authors, who are from the United States and Europe, bring a unique mix of background and experiences on trenchless technology-from contractor to user to researcher.

Although it was not possible to describe all methods and systems, we have tried to give the reader the necessary information for making good decisions on when to use trenchless methods. Because this field continues to evolve rapidly, many changes will have occurred since this book was published. We would appreciate learning of any changes or inaccuracies in the material.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the following organizations who assisted the authors in the preparation of this book:

GAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE JASON CONSULTANTS, S.A. MAURER ENGINEERING INC.

With special appreciation to all our families and friends who inspired us and encouraged us in this endeavor. Also, many thanks to Gerry Barbeau for her perseverance in typing this manuscript.

xiii