News Article Archive - Page 3 of 19

Edge Underground: bringing innovation to microtunnelling

Since it was established in 2010, Edge Underground has been at the forefront of the Australian microtunnelling industry, pushing its boundaries, improving equipment and finding ways to complete some of the most challenging projects that no one else will take on. Edge Underground was founded by Managing Director, Stuart Harrision, a well-known figure in the Australian and international microtunnelling industry as a trenchless expert, pioneer of innovation and the inventor of the AXIS laser guided boring system. “When I first developed the AXIS in the early 2000s, it was because there was a gap in the industry for equipment that...

Overcoming the limitations of the microtunnelling industry

Compared to the traditional open cut method of pipeline installation, trenchless methods are still in their infancy, having only started to be developed around the 1970s. While trenchless methods have gained popularity in recent decades due to their reduced site footprint and ability to install under existing infrastructure and environmental formations, they are also an evolving technology with improvements still being made. Edge Underground is at the forefront of this evolution, helping the industry overcome its limitations through improved microtunnelling equipment and practices. Stuart Harrison, Managing Director at Edge Underground, said since first being developed over 50 years ago, microtunnelling...

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...