News Article Archive - Page 3 of 19

What are the benefits of selecting a microtunnelling contractor with versatile equipment?

When it comes to microtunnelling, there are a number of challenges that can derail a project, costing time and money. That’s why choosing a contractor with versatile equipment is important, as the easier it is to change a drill head, or the more pipe materials and diameters it can install, the more likely your project will successfully be completed on time and on budget. One of the key benefits to selecting a microtunnelling contractor with versatile equipment is the reduction of risk throughout the project delivery. When working with versatile equipment, a project is able to adapt – this, along...

Reducing the social costs of pipeline installations with microtunnelling

The installation of underground utilities has the potential to cause major disruption to the community and surrounding environment depending on the method used. Microtunnelling offers an alternative solution to open cut methods for installing pipelines quickly and accurately while lowering the social costs. Traditional open cut methods of pipeline installation require the length of the pipeline – which may include roads and footpaths – to be blocked off for a period of time to allow excavation, installation and restoration works to take place. According to Stuart Harrison, Managing Director of Edge Underground, using a trenchless method, such as microtunnelling, instead...

Why is ground movement a problem for pipeline installations and how does microtunnelling reduce the risks?

Pipeline installations have the potential to cause significant damage to existing infrastructure and utilities because the very act of excavation creates the risk of the ground moving in the vicinity of the installation taking place. Minimising the impact on existing infrastructure This is a problem particularly associated with tunnelling in urban environments where there may be multiple buildings in close proximity and limited construction space. The deeper the excavation, the higher the risk that the ground will move because the ground pressures become out of balance, resulting in both the movement of the ground and the infrastructure on top or...

Top environmental benefits of microtunnelling

The construction industry, utilities and project managers, as well as the general public, are increasingly becoming more environmentally conscious. While this trend started a number of years ago, it is accelerating. Contractors that can provide a solution that is more environmentally friendly, while also remaining efficient and cost effective, are setting themselves up to lead their competitors. Pipeline installations have the potential to be destructive to the surrounding natural and built environment, but trenchless techniques such as microtunnelling can help mitigate this. Here, we look at the top environmental benefits of microtunnelling. 1.Minimal surface disruption One of the major differences...

How do different ground conditions affect a microtunnelling project?

One of the most critical factors in a microtunnelling project is the geology of the pipeline route as unexpected ground conditions is one of the main causes of failure during installation. Depending on the geology – such as soil type, groundwater conditions, and the presence of rock and debris – it can significantly impact on the project parameters, design and construction method used, as well as the methodology, costs and expected timeframe needed to complete the project. The types of soil involved, the groundwater conditions, and the presence of large boulders or debris within the fill are all-important factors in...

Vermeer AXIS laser guided boring systems

The future of microtunnelling

The microtunnelling industry has grown exponentially over the past decade, with advances in equipment and practices making it the ideal choice for pipeline installations where a high level of accuracy and minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment is required. As a relatively new construction technique, it has seen rapid development and growth over the years, and the next ten years are expected to see it evolve even more. Since it was first used over 50 years ago, microtunnelling has gone from achieving successful installations some of the time, to some machines being able to provide a consistently successful installation with...

What are the safety benefits of microtunnelling compared to other pipeline installation methods?

It goes without saying that safety is a key concern on any construction site, and lots of work goes into mitigating safety risks and ensuring workers get back home safely at the end of the day. However, not all construction methods are equal in terms of safety, with some methods and machines designed to be inherently safer than others, and this holds true for pipeline installations. Trenchless over open cut It is well known that construction sites where excavation works take place are considered highly dangerous due to the risk of sudden excavation failures which limit the abilities of workers...