TRENCHLESS

TECHNOLOGY

Seminar Report

Submitted by

Abhinav Saketh Alladi

15CE01002

School of Infrastructure
IIT Bhubaneswar
 CONTENTS
1: Introduction 1
2: Trenchless technology methods 1
2.1: New Installation 2
2.1.1: Micro-tunneling 2
2.1.2: Horizontal Directional Drilling 3

2.2: Renovation and Rehabilitation 3

2.2.1: Pipe Bursting 3
2.2.2: Pipe eating 4
2.2.3: Relining the existing Pipes 4
2.2.4: Localized Repair 4
3: Trenchless Technology Techniques in India 5
3.1: Directional drilling 5

3.2: Ramming 6

3.3: Moling 7

3.4: Augur Boring 8

4: Prerequisites 9

5: Need for adoption of No dig technology in India 9

6: Need for T renchless technology 10
8: Conclusion 11
9: References 11
 INTRODUCTION

Trench less technology is the science of installing, repairing and renewing

underground Pipes, ducts and cables using techniques which minimize or
eliminate the need for excavation. It can reduce environmental damage, Social
costs and produce an alternative to open trench method of installation, renewal
and repair .It includes in, development of all kinds of underground napping
techniques, tunneling devices and specialist materials and equipment.
Trench less technology is basically making a tunnel below the surface and staling
service lines like water or gas pipes, electric or telecommunication cables etc.
without any disruption to the public. It also makes it possible to install the utilities
under rivers canals and other obstacles with no disruption of flow and with
minimum or no damage to the environment.

TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY METHODS

Trenchless technology methods system have been categorized into two groups:
1. New installation
2. Rehabilitation and Renovation

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 NEW INSTALLATION

Methods for installation of a new pipeline or duct, including dealing with service
connection are:
1) Micro tunneling
2) Horizontal directional drilling

MICRO TUNNELING

Micro tunneling is a term which is used to describe remotely controlled

mechanical tunneling systems where the spoil is removed from the cutting head
with in the new pipe line which is advanced by pipe jacking.
Micro tunneling machines have now been developed to work from drives hafts in
almost all types of ground conditions. The cutting head has to be carefully
selected to deal with the expected ground conditions, with the appropriate cutting
tools and crushing devices for the range of gravels, sands, slits, and clays.
The only excavating required from the service is for drive and receptions shafts.
Spoil may be removed from the face by an auger running through the newly
installed pipeline to a skip in the base of the drive shaft.
Alternatively, water may be used to convert the soil into slurry at the cutting face.
The slurry is less then pumped to the surface where the solids are separated
before disposal. Micro tunneling is used extensively for sewerage work where
surface disruption has to be minimized. Machines are now available to drive
100mm or more in soft ground for sizes 100mm diameter upwards from drive
shafts of less than 3mm diameter. Micro tunneling system has been developed in
which temporary steel tubes are jacked in and removed at the next manhole
position, the new pipeline following in the established bore.

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 HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING

Horizontal drilling systems are nowadays widely used for installing pressure
pipes under major obstacles such a motor way intersections, large rivers and
airports runways.
A small rotating and steerable drill bit is launched from the surface at an angle
10-15 and is used to drill 90mm mud filled diameter hole. During the drilling
operation a 125mm diameter wash over pipe is drilled over the pilot string and
following some 100mm behind the head. Alternate drilling then continues on the
pilot string is removed and the bore is enlarged by a rotating barrel reamer
attached to and pulled back by the wash over pipe, drilling mud being
used to flushed away the cuttings and to support the reamed hole. Subsequent
caming continues until required diameter is achieved. The product pipe is less
than attached to the reaming head and pulled through the bore drives of more
than 1.5km and of up to 1200mm diameter have been carried out.

REHABILITATION AND RENOVATION

Methods including are:

1) Pipe bursting
2) Pipe eating
3) Retaining the existing pipes
4) Localized repair

PIPE BURSTING
In this method an existing pipeline can be replaced with a pipeline of the same or
larger dimension without opening up the ground. It is especially useful in areas
where the load on the system is more than the existing pipe can handle and
replacement is required.

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The method uses a mole as a bursting head that is drawn through the existing
pipe crushing it as it moves forward and replacing it with a new PE (polyethylene)
pipe. The main advantage of this system is that a small power source can be
used to drive the mole with minimum time. Upsizing from 100mm diameter to
225mm diameter is now well established, and pipes of up to 600mm diameter
have been replaced.

PIPE EATING
Pipe eating is an online micro tunneled replacement technique. The existing
defective pipeline is crushed and removed through the new pipeline. Lateral
connections must be disconnected in advance and may be replaced by rider
sewers or reconnected by angled drilling.

RELINING THE EXISTING PIPES

This method requires access, usually by manholes, at both ends of pipe. A
flexible liner is places into the defective pipe and with the use of water under
pressure finds its own way and can pass bends of 90o. In places where joints
have moved or sections are missing, but the passage is available, the liner
creates a smooth transition. When the liner is in place, it is heat cured to create a
rigid, tough, and smooth inner surface.

LOCALISED REPAIR
Local defects may be found in pipes due to cracking or joint failures. Systems are
available for resin injection to seal localized defects in the range 100mm-600mm
diameter.
Chemical grouting with urethane and similar materials are used in sewer
rehabilitation. Remote and man entry grouting of defective joints and cracks may
prevent infiltration in pipelines.
This is an inexpensive method of rehabilitating existing systems up to several
hundred meters of length every day from manhole to manhole.

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TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY TECHNIQUES IN INDIA
The main trenchless techniques which are in use in India (included in the above
mentioned methods) are described below.

DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
Directional drilling involves steerable tunneling systems for both small and
diameter lines. In most cases, it is a two-stage process. The first stage consists
of drilling a small diameter pilot hole along the desired center line of a proposed
line and in the second stage, the pilot hole is enlarged to the desired diameter to
accommodate the utility line and to pull the utility line through the enlarged hole.
The pilot hole is of approximately 3 inches in diameter and is drilled with a
specially built rig up with an inclined carriage typically adjusted to between 5 and
30 degrees, which pushes the drill rods into the ground. However the optimum
angle is 12 degrees. As the pilot hole is being drilled, bentonite-drilling mud is
pumped down the center of the drill rods. The drill head consists of either a
jetting head or drill bit. In the case of a jetting head, small diameter high-pressure
jets of betonies actually cut the soil and facilitate spoil removal by washing the
cuttings to the surface where they settle out in a reception pit. In case of drill bit,
the bit is driven by a down hole mud motor located just behind the drill bit from
energy derived from the pumped drilling fluid. Before the start of back reaming
the pipeline has to be positioned on rollers in line with the hole to minimize any
axial load on the line.
Advantages
(1) The major advantage is the speed of installation combined with the minimum
environmental and social impact.
(2) Long and complicated crossings can be accomplished with a great degree of
accuracy since it is possible to monitor and control the drilling operation so that
utilities can be fit into small corridors where little place is available between
existing utilities.
(3) Another advantage is that sufficient depth can be accomplished to avoid other
utilities.

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(4) Limitation of access and reception pits is another advantage.

Disadvantages
(1) Special equipment and very high degree of operation skill is required.
(2) As the cost of the equipment and the operation are high, bore length should
be sufficient in order for it to be economical.
(3) Mainly steel pipe is being installed by the method.

RAMMING
In this method, the pipe is rammed through the soil by using a device attached to
the end of the pipe to drive the pipe through the soil. In this method, the tool does
not create a borehole. It acts as a hammer to drive the pipe through the soil.
Compressed air supplied from an air compressor is generally used as a power
source. When ramming pipe, the leading edge cuts a borehole, the spoil enters
the pipe and is compacted as it is being forced to the rear of the pipe. After the
whole length of the pipe is rammed in place, the tool is removed and the pipe is
cleaned out.
The type of pipe installed by the pipe ramming method is limited to steel due to
the application of cyclic impact loads on the pipe. The size of the pipe ranges
from 2 inches to 55 inches. This method is capable of installing pipes to over 200
feet (60 meters) in length.

Advantages
The pipe ramming is an effective method for installing medium size pipes. The
method is economic since the equipment cost is not very high and the operation
is simple. The pipe can be installed in one piece or segments. This can be used
in almost all types of soils. The method does not require any thrust reaction
structure.
Disadvantages
The major disadvantage is that there is no control over the line and grade and in
case of obstructions like boulders, the pipe may be deflected. Then work should

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be stopped immediately. For small diameter pipelines, the method is economical,
but for large diameter pipes, the equipment cost is high.

MOLING
Moling is a method, which forms the borehole by compressing the earth that
immediately surrounds the compacting device which is an underground piercing
(mole) is propelled by a power source. The tool is streamlined into bullet or
shape. The method is restricted to relatively small diameter lines in compressible
soil conditions.
Compressed air or hydraulic fluid, transmitted to the toot through the flexible
hoses, imparts energy at a blow frequency of 100 to 600 strokes per minute to a
reciprocating piston located inside the nose of the tool. This action results in the
tool propelling itself through the ground. It is applicable in most ground conditions
from loose sand to firm clay. The method required the use of boring and
receiving pit. After the operation the unit can be backed out of the borehole. The
tool is removed and the cable is attached to the air hose and pulled back through
the borehole. In the case of rigid pipe, it can simply be pushed through the open
borehole. Any type of pipe or cable can be installed by the method.
Pipe size is generally limited to 6 inches or less. However, modern techniques in
mole manufacturing have increased the ability to make bores of large sizes. Even
though 200 feet (60 meter) bores have been successfully made by this method,
the span lengths were limited to 60 feet (18 meter) with 40 feet being optimum.
Again span lengths have increased with modern advances in mole design.

Advantages

It is a rapid, economic, and effective method of installing small diameter lines.

Any type of utility line can be installed using the method. The stability of the soil
around the borehole is increased due to compaction. The investment in
equipment is minimum.

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Disadvantages

Compaction methods are limited in their length by reliability because basic

systems are unintelligent, unguided tools that tend to bury themselves, surface in
the middle road or damage existing utility lines.

AUGER BORING
The auger horizontal earth boring is a process of simultaneously jacking casing
through the earth while removing the spoil inside the casing by means of a
rotating flight auger. The auger is a flighted tube having dual functions, firstly it
has couplings at each end that transmit torque to the cutting head from the power
source located in the bore pit and secondly, it serves to transfer spoil back to the
machine.
This method requires bore pit both at the entry and exit points of the bore. The
auger-boring machine consists of the boring machine, casing pipe, cutting head
and augers as the major components. The power source creates the torque,
which rotates the auger, which in turn rotates the cutting head. The cutting head
cuts the soil and the soil is transported to the machine through the casing by
means of the auger, which acts as a screw conveyor.
The pipe size that can be installed by this method ranges from 4 inches (100mm)
to over 60 inches (1500 mm). However, the most common size range is 8
inches(200 mm) to 36 inches(900 mm) and the average bore length ranges
between 53 meter and 68 meter, though with experience and the use of latest
techniques up to 180 meter of boring is possible using auger boring.
Advantages

The major advantage is that the casing is installed at the same time as the
borehole excavation takes place. This method can be used in a wide variety of
soil types.

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Disadvantages

This method requires different sized cutting heads and auger sizes or each
casing diameter, which increases the investment in equipment. The investment in
bore, pit construction, and the initial setup is also required. In case of soils
containing large boulders, this method cannot be used advantageously.

PRE-REQUISITES
Through surveys and site investigations are essential to the success and
efficiency of trench less installations and repair techniques.
(a) The survey results help top determine the most appropriate systems.

(b) The investigations methods include geophysical surveys, boring and

sampling, measurement of ground water table, test pits and trenches, penetration
tests, examinations and investigations of existing structures using ground
penetration testing etc.

(c) Closed circuit televisions, ground penetration radar, utility detection

equipments

Leak detection techniques are available for below ground activities.

NEED FOR ADOPTION OF NO-DIG TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA

In many of the developed countries like Japan, Germany, USA, Holland, UK and
any European countries, even in Singapore and Australia, trenchless technology
("no-dig or "minimum digging) method has been widely used for the last two or
three decades. It has to make its application in populous countries like India and
China.
Although no comprehensive code of practice on trenchless technology has been
published in any of these countries so far, the method is very well perfected.

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Equipment is manufactured and widely used. Special materials like jacking
pipelines are manufactured to codes of practice. Even proper geotechnical
investigations and detection equipment are readily available. The cost of doing
the job by trenchless technology is more than for the conventional open trench
digging method in India, where labor is cheaper and readily available. If the
social coat is worked out realistically and added to this cost, then we will find
that the cost of doing the job by trenchless technology would be much less or
comparable. Singapore experience shows that over the years of practice and
adoption, trenchless technology is cheaper if not comparable to open cut
method.
Environmental pollution control has assumed greater importance universally by
all mankind beyond the narrow political boundaries and this is one of the
foremost challenges for the 21st Century for the very survival of human, animal
and all plant life on the globe. Compared to traditional open cut method widely
used in India and in underdeveloped countries, trenchless technology accrues
numerous economical, ecological and environmental benefits to the society
which needs to be appreciated.

NEED FOR TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

The advantages of the no-dig technology are responsible for the need of this
technology to be adopted in mainly urban areas:

(a) It reduces damages of valuable surface.

(b) It reduces the danger of improperly compacted excavations.
(c) It saves resources.
(d) It is accident free.
(e) It avoids traffic jam.
(f) It makes the use of the line(track) of the old pipe possible.
(g) It saves underground space (pipe busting).
(h) It reduces the impact on the environment.
(i) It provides the hassle-free road surface.

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(j) It is possible to lay service lines across railway track, narrow lanes etc. When
open trenching is impossible.
(k) Presence of a canal, pond, river etc. across the root poses no problems to the
trench less technology systems.
(l) Without disturbing the traffic and life on the surface, the lines can be laid below
ground in a much shorter time by using this technology.

(m) For replacement, repair and rehabilitation of old water and sewer lines in
cities, it is very helpful to use trench less technology without disturbing the
normal life on the surface.

CONCLUSION
With all round developments in various fields like petrochemicals where
conveyance of gas, crude and refined products over long distances is common,
telecommunication and power, water supply and sewerage etc. and
mushrooming growth of high- rise buildings in and around the cities is becoming
increasingly necessary that these lines are laid underground leaving space
above surface comparatively free. i.e., Adoption of trench less technology is the
only remedy. Also if costs benefit analysis of the two systems (i.e. open trenching
methods and trenchless technology methods) is conducted, considering both
direct and indirect costs, it will help us make informed divisions on technology
selection, under different circumstances.

REFERENCES
1. Jagadish Chandra, "Trenchless Technology in India: Need of the New
Millennium. Civil Engineering and Construction Review October 2009- page 48

2. Trenchless Technology- RitchieWiki

http://www.ritchiewiki.com/wiki/index.php

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