Pipes to be installed using various trenchless technology methods

Successfully Implementing Trenchless Technology Methods

From electrical wiring to a fresh water supply and sewage disposal pipes, a variety of critical infrastructure elements require trenches to be dug or drilled before being laid. And to accomplish this without disturbing the ecosystem or the layers of ground under and on top of the trench, trenchless technology methods are being used.

A variety of trenchless technologies can help with laying sewage pipes, utility construction, and underground electrical wiring, each specific to a different type of soil, pipe size, depth, and budget. So let’s take a look at the different methods used for pipeline construction without trenches and the conditions they are used in.

Trenchless Technology Methods

When laying trenchless utility lines, the following methods may be considered by experts:

  • Impact Moling. A percussing mole is launched that displaces the soil. The new conduit follows the mole, and once the line has reached its destination, the mole is pulled back. This method offers minimum disruption to the ecosystem or sites around.
  • Thrust Boring. This method is used in areas where accuracy is of utmost importance, such as near other utility lines or in the city. A rod is thrust into the ground, pushing the soil forward and pulling a pipe in its place. It’s used on potentially all soil types, and there is no limit on the length of the pipe that can be used. However, this can be quite expensive.
  • Pipe Jacking. This method is used on soil classes 1 to 5 except for non-displaceable hard material and rock. Also known as pipe ramming, this method involves creating a small trench and pushing the pipes into the ground by ramming it.
  • Microtunneling. This method is used particularly for sewage and water lines. It combines a drill and a jacking rig that acts like a jackhammer, pushing pipes in place underground. Microtunneling is suitable for all soil types and is a quick and reliable method.
  • Auger Boring. This method is used on soils with sufficient stand-up time. In Auger Boring, a horizontal bore is formed as the auger makes its way through soil, root, and rock alike. This method is suitable for shallower depths only, though.

As the descriptions above detail, the two most widely used and successful trenchless technology methods are pipe jacking and micro tunneling because of their versatility and cost-effectiveness. However, you can’t just hire a contractor and start digging or drilling regardless of the tunneling site being urban or rural.

Not only is this against code and standards, doing so can lead to numerous issues in the future as the soil around starts applying pressure on the pipe(s) installed. You should hire an expert construction company or technology solutions provider such as Americom to survey the site and help you implement the right solution and ensure success.

If you would like to get a site surveyed or need a quote on a project, give us a call. From commercial to government contracts, we have successfully catered to them all in the past and would love to do the same for you!