The CMS constantly monitors the temperature of a liner throughout the curing process, producing a thoroughly cured, data-validated liner . It identifies potential issues in real time, improving quality control and reducing labour, equipment & fuel costs.
Scan the QR Code to find out more.
Austen Lees
PUBLISHER
Paul Harwood pharwood@westrade.co.uk
EDITOR
Austen Lees editorial@trenchless-works.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Leigh Abbott labbott@westrade.co.uk
SALES DIRECTOR
Trevor Dorrell tdorrell@westrade.co.uk
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Ioan Lucian Sculeac lucian@westrade.co.uk
CHINESE AGENT
Lexi Di lexi.di@bestexpo.cn
COPYRIGHT
Trenchless Works is published 12 times a year by Westrade Group Ltd I Carotino House| Bury Lane I Rickmansworth I WD3 1ED I UK
Contributions: Contributions are invited and articles should be emailed to editorial@trenchless-works.com. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or written contributions during delivery, transmission or when with the magazine. In the absence of an agreement, the copyright of all contributions, regardless of format, belongs to the publisher. The publishers accept no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the views of the publishers. The publishers accept no responsibility for actions taken on the basis of any information contained within this magazine. The publishers cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non-publication of any advertisement for any reason whatsoever. ISSN 2049-3401
Firstly, I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who supported our NoDig Roadshow in Reading this month. We’ll include a full write up in the July issue, but it was the perfect ‘pick me up’ following another rather lacklustre England performance in the Euros the night before. It would be remiss not to make a special mention of SES Water, Thames Water and Wessex Water together with all our sponsors for their support.
In this issue you can read about FFRP vs. CIPP in trenchless rehabilitation, a fascinating article from Nuflow, Primus Line also feature detailing their overland piping system for a German paper mill, and Bodenbender renovate 250-year-old pipes in a world heritage site. Another great article is by Herrenknecht Tunnelling Machinery (HTM), in China on page 36 where a machine of this diameter has only been used twice before in the history of tunnelling!
In the Trenchless Asia feature on page 66, you hear from Michael
Wong at Pipesolution Inc who gives great insight into the rapidly developing trenchless market in the Philippines and wider South East Asian region. Sponsoring the event and impressing on visitors with their HDD rigs live at Trenchless Asia, Vermeer, Drillto, XCMG and DCI, are also featured, as well as news about the bespoke training programme delivered by JBP Trenchless Training. Trenchless Asia is on next month, and not one to miss! Stay up to date with the event online via our social media and Trenchless Works news.
Finally, just a reminder that we are always on the lookout for opinion, thought leadership and unique content from the trenchless and underground utilities sectors. If there’s an issue you’d like to talk about, please just drop me a line and we’ll do our best to include you in an upcoming edition.
Austen
To submit editorial for Trenchless Works next issue please email copy and images to: editorial@trenchless-works.com by the 12th of the month. Submissions arriving after this date cannot be guaranteed inclusion in that month’s issue. For Trenchless Works sponsorship and advertising rates please email: tdorrell@westrade.co.uk
ARTICLE
Editor’s Welcome
NEWS
Thames Water wins share of £40m in Ofwat’s latest Water Breakthrough Challenge
Jet Aire project awarded Ofwat funding
ProKASRO confirms Australasian service facility
Vision for growth
New hire for Primus Line
PIPELINE REHABILITATION
Soaring through options
New overland piping system for German paper mill
Trenchless in a world heritage site
Shining a bluelight on LED system technology
TUNNEL BORING
HERRENKNECHT mega project in China
TUNNELLING
Swift Robbins TBM breaks through 11 months early in Nepal
SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
The inspect before invest approach
Jersey Trenchless revolutionises infrastructure inspections
Revolutionising drain cleaning - the power of Flowplant’s harben pump
FOCUS ON TRENCHLESS TRAINING
Beyond the classroom - exploring other trenchless training experiences
The difference between distributor and solution supplier - a JBP Trenchless case study
TRENCHLESS ASIA 2024
Trenchless Asia 2024: The Philippines gears up for groundbreaking infrastructure event
South East Asia – A high growth market
Vermeer D130S for job productivity
Drillto - making underground pipe laying easier
XCMG gives underground space another possibility!
The emphasis in on APPLIED
How to minimise job site downtime with full bore plans from the TeraTrak R1
UKSTT SOCIETY NEWS
A message from the Chair
Membership services report
ISTT SOCIETY NEWS
A message from the Chair
ISTT Educational Webinar
NASTT SOCIETY NEWS EVENTS AND MEETINGS
For over four decades, Channeline has been a global leader in the custom design and manufacture of high-quality, fully structural glass reinforced plastic (GRP) lining systems in any shape, and any size, for the trenchless rehabilitation of existing sewers, tunnels, culverts, stormwater, and other buried structures. With a worldwide presence in over 30 countries, we offer turnkey, innovative, and sustainable solutions with a design life of 150 years, for our clients, consultants, and contractors from design to installation.
Channeline International Fiber Glass Manufacturing L.L.C.
E-mail: info@channeline.com
Wastewater
Stormwater
Rail and road culverts
Tunnels
Seawater cooling network
Custom
An innovative solution by Thames Water that would fix leaks without the need to dig trenches or disrupt residents and road users is one of the winners of a £40m competition from Ofwat, the economic water regulator.
The ‘No Dig Leak Repair’ project, led by Thames Water, will use the funding to examine how technologies like robotics and trenchless repair methods could help fix leaks in the future without the need to dig trenches and all the associated disruption this causes.
Other Thames Water projects to win funding include a bid to explore the potential of converting sludge into valuable products like biochar, a bid to incentivise sustainable urban drainage, and a bid to expand the use of robotic technology for inspecting and repairing rising mains.
In total, Thames Water projects
received almost half (£16.9m) of the total funding that is available.
Nevil Muncaster, Engineering and Asset Director, from Thames Water said: “We are constantly striving to evolve our business, and find new ways to do things better for the benefit of our customers and the environment. This funding will be invaluable in helping us progress some of our most exciting and innovative ideas, ones that really could change the water industry for the better.”
Helen Campbell, Senior Director, Ofwat said: “There are big challenges in the water industry that must be solved, some are well known and others are less so. In our fourth Water Breakthrough Challenge we called for solutions with potential to deliver wide-scale, transformational change for customers, society and the environment – and that’s exactly
what today’s winners have done. From raingardens to prevent flooding to green energy from treated sewage, innovations to cut the water sector’s carbon footprint to robots that patrol the pipe network, the winners are all helping shape a more sustainable and efficient water sector.”
The Water Breakthrough Challenge is part of a series of competitions from Ofwat, run by Challenge Works with Arup and Isle Utilities, designed to drive innovation and collaboration in the sector to benefit individuals, society and the environment. It supports initiatives that help to tackle the biggest challenges facing the water sector, such as achieving net zero, protecting natural ecosystems and reducing leakage, as well as delivering value to society.
For more information, visit the Water Breakthrough Challenge website.
GRUNDOBURST systems are used to replace defective pipes up to ND 1,200 quickly and gently underground, without reducing hydraulic capacity.
The result is a new, loadbearing pipeline in the existing route. Plus the complete renewal allows
for even more hydraulic capacity by pulling in larger diameters.
Pipe rehabilitation could not be more sustainable.
Find out more online or contact us: T: +49 2723 808-0 M: info@tracto.com
Jet Aire has been named as part of a project team awarded £1.2m in the Ofwat Breakthrough Innovation Challenge for research into developing the world’s first blockage clearing pipebots.
Working with Northumbrian Water, the University of Sheffield, as well as a number of other universities, WASC’s and suppliers, this project aims to find a way to proactively detect build-ups before they become a blockage, eradicating spills and sewer flooding and its devastating impact on customers.
The innovative technology will see a truly autonomous pipebot
that will live in the sewer for 30 days at a stretch, patrolling to understand the network and detect blockage build-up then alerting maintenance teams.
There are over 40,000 incidents of internal and external sewer flooding in the UK every year which cause devastating damage to customers’ properties. A significant proportion of these are because of blockages in sewer pipes.
Dean Blackburn, North East Area Manager, Jet Aire said: “Current approaches using smart networks are reactive, based on detecting rising water levels in sewers to estimate where blockages might be.
However, it is often too late to allow maintenance teams to locate and clear the blockage before flooding occurs. Pipebot makes this process proactive. We are very excited to be supporting this project which could be the first step in delivering the world’s first blockage clearing pipebots.”
For more information, visit: www.waterinnovation. challenges.org/breakthrough4/
For Spoutvac (Bucher Municipal), Sales Manager, Andrew Gladman, also commented: “Partnering with ProKASRO as the market leader in both sewer robotics and UV lining equipment develops both the knowledge and customer base for Spoutvac (Bucher Municipal). Service and aftersales support is a big focus for both companies and having met the team at ProKASRO we are confident that the shared goals and objectives can be achieved, leading to improved service and communication for our customers within Australia and New Zealand”.
“
Due to changes within the Australian/New Zealand marketplace, it became more apparent that a reliable and open service partner was required to support our new and existing customers.
A safer and more compliant way of handling large diameter GRE, HDPE pipe, Ducting’s, Carbon Steel/Ductile Iron and Concrete Pipes.
With the UIS Power Handler™ excavator attachment, you are selecting the powerful all-in-one solution for pipe handling on a large scale like no other.
Control of the pipe from the comfort of the excavator cab. With the capability to rotate the pipe 360° the UIS Power Handler™ offers control to the operator like no other product when handling and lowering pipes safely into open trenches.
Available in 3 sizes (Handler)
6
(Pusher)
The UIS Power Push™ excavator attachment offers a faster, safer and more compliant way of inserting new PE pipe and cable & is fully approved for operation on both live and dead insertions.
Power Push™ is easily attached to the excavator arm with minimal operator contact, removing the risk of injuries which may occur during manual projects. Once attached, Power Push is fully operated and controlled from the safety of the excavator cab.
The Power Push™ excavator attachment is compatible for use with the majority of excavators from 1.5T up to 25T and can also be used for slip lining / manoeuvring & rerounding PE pipe of diameters up to 900mm.
the
In 2023, to better commit to the customers and staff in the greater United Kingdom & Ireland region, Vermeer Corporation assumed ownership of Vermeer UK. With this ownership transition, Brian Sporrer was placed as General Manager of Vermeer UK. Under Brian’s leadership, the Vermeer UK team saw growth in the markets they served, a local resurgence in the Vermeer brand and a stabilisation within the Vermeer UK team focused on long-term success.
Part of this stabilisation plan was to hire local leadership with a vision for growth. In December 2023, Warren Steele joined the Vermeer UK team, and in April 2024 was appointed as a Director to the UK Board. Warren has extensive experience in the industrial equipment and environmental services industry, and a desire to strengthen both the Vermeer
team and brand in region.
Warren Steele said “Vermeer have had a solid base for over 30 years in the UK and Ireland. With the change in ownership in February 2023, the business has the backing of Vermeer Corporation in Pella. The ability to make aggressive and sustainable commercial decisions, along with a great team, will allow the business to grow by offering a wider product range to the market. Later in 2024, we look forward to introducing a range of “Big Iron” to the territory, thereby drawing new and more diverse customers into the Vermeer family. Vermeer are proud of our team, customers and heritage in the UK and Irish markets, and we aim to be the go-to machine supplier for the trenchless sector.”
Vermeer UK thank Brian for his work to establish stability
and a trajectory of success in the region and look forward to Warren’s strategic leadership driving continued growth.
“ The ability to make aggressive and sustainable commercial decisions, along with a great team, will allow the
business to grow by offering a wider product range to the market. Later in 2024, we look forward to introducing a range of “Big Iron” to the territory, thereby drawing new and more diverse customers into the Vermeer family.
Paris Johnston has recently joined Primus Line as a Primus Line Business Development Manager for UK and Ireland.
water and utilities sectors.
Paris will also benefit from the fact that he is already familiar with the Primus Line range, having previously worked for one of the company’s UK partners. “I am very excited about the opportunity to represent Primus Line in the UK and Irish markets,” comments
Paris is currently being mentored by Simon Compton, who was formerly responsible for the UK and Ireland. Simon will be taking up a new position in South East Asia to further develop Primus Line’s markets
FFRP vs. CIPP in trenchless rehabilitation
by Dion Pohorille
Both in Africa and Europe
I have noticed many people birding these days, frankly for me birding can get a touch predictable. Sure, the sweet songs of warblers and the vibrant colours of hummingbirds are delightful. Coming from sub-Saharan African Savannahs we were less exposed to two more common Northern Hemisphere pitch black birds found on every church steeple or city fence. Personally, I prefer a touch of these enigmatic Corvidae, the raven and the crow. These black harbingers of change have perched themselves in myth and folklore for centuries, symbolising everything from wisdom to transformation. As
we delve deeper into the world of trenchless pipe rehabilitation, a similar sense of revelation unfolds.
Just like watching a raven soaring through the sky or scaling a rickety crow’s nest affords a breathtaking panoramic view, understanding the intricacies of FFRP (Flexible Fabric Reinforced Pipe) and CIPP (Cured-in-Place Pipe) grants us a much wider understanding of pipeline rehabilitation. We are no longer limited to a narrow perspective. Instead, “just as these birds fly,” we can explore the most efficient and effective solutions for the rehabilitation of our underground infrastructure. >
Much like the crow, a highly manoeuvrable bird known for navigating tight spaces, some types of CIPP can excel in tackling complex pipeline geometries. The resinsaturated liner, resembling the crow’s compact body and flexible wings, can in certain applications handle 90-degree bends with exceptional agility. This makes CIPP ideal for certain situations where the existing pipeline negotiates sharp changes in alignment, similar to a crow navigating a complex network of branches. Additionally, CIPP’s ability to access a pipeline from a single point to cure in place is much like a crow accessing shiny treasures in tight spaces with military precision.
The raven, with its impressive wingspan and ability to soar above for long time periods, mirrors the core strengths of FFRP. This method utilizes a long continuous, flexible
liner with embedded fabric reinforcements, as the raven’s broad wings allow it to soar for long distances, the strength to allows for significantly longer pulling distances, often exceeding a kilometre in one go, thus minimising the need for additional access points. However, FFRP’s inherent tough bursting and temperature resistance composition limits its ability to handle sharp bends. While it can navigate 45-degree bends, complex 90-degree manoeuvres or tight spaces are better suited for CIPP’s agility. In situations where there are longer sweeping bends with radii exceeding five times the pipeline diameter, FFRP’s extended reach is achieved, similar to how a raven’s powerful wings allow for efficient soaring.
Regardless of the CIPP or FFRP choice, achieving a close-fit liner allows for cost effective material options offering longevity and operating capabilities withstanding internal and
external forces and protecting the host pipe from corrosion. This approach enhances the inherent strength of the existing host pipe, allowing it to contribute to the overall structural integrity of the rehabilitated system. The host pipe can then assist in handling internal bursting pressures and external loads, thus maximising the effectiveness of the rehabilitation process.
This philosophy underlies our core approach at ASOE. On demand liner solutions can be manufactured from nominal diameters of 50mm to 1400mm if requested to match the exact inside diameter of the host pipe. This unique ability to tailor the looms and extrusion process embraces the individual requirements of each pipeline, thus overcoming the outdated “one-size-fits-all” mentality. In today’s world of adaptability, the “one size fits all approach” limits budgets and trenchless design capabilities. This is why ISO 11295 below gives the interactive Class C specification for FFRP allowing the liner to
interact with the host pipe as one entity, connected together by pressure.
This is not to say that there are not situations where in design an annulus gap is accounted for. This is where ASOE uses Kevlar (Aramid) in the lining manufacturing process.
As ASOE’s vision and core values centre around the environment and cost effectiveness we strive wherever possible to use less Kevlar. Hence the use of more cost-effective Polymer yarns are used in the manufacturing of linings for gravity pipelines. However ASOE does use Aramid as all the ASOE oil, gas high temperature and pressure liners require this material for these applications.
Close fit allowing T connections: FFRP has previously struggled with T connections especially when air release, scour or other valves need to be installed. With a tight close fit liner the ability to install a T connection once the lining has been placed will now become possible as the final stages of certifying and testing this technology are taking place. Asset owners will soon be able
to connect place T connections for smaller pipes or valves to T off the main FFRP. With an annulus gap connecting a T piece is not possible.
Ultrasonics (UT) & close fit: UT is a key non destructive testing (NDT) method relying , it relies on sound waves. Dissimilar materials in liners and pipes, along with air gaps ( annuli), weaken these waves.
Water filling the gap certainly offers a slight improvement, but inconsistencies and complex wave interactions make it this unreliable. A close fit lining regardless of being CIPP or FFRP ensures a far better, direct sound path for accurate flaw detection through the liner and in the host pipe.
This is particularly important for smart pigging, a common oil and gas practice. Pigs are cleaning and inspection tools propelled through pipelines. A close fit lining allows for efficient pigging enabling comprehensive NDT inspections. Unlike municipal utilities, where internal inspections are less advanced and more focused on CCTV coding, whereas pigging’s prevalence in oil and
gas pipelines demands higher resolution inspections making es a close fit system essential for reliable NDT.
Intelligent assessment: the key to choosing wisely
Through a combination of visual inspections, understanding the host pipelines environmental conditions, advanced surveying techniques, and the material testing has been done, engineers can pinpoint the exact nature and extent of the pipeline deterioration. This allows for a more nuanced approach to rehabilitation. For instance, if the primary concern is internal leaks and joint failures on these pipe assets with limited access, FFRP’s ability to handle high pressures and long lengths then ASOE becomes the ideal solution, similar to how a raven’s larger wingspan is perfectly suited for extended soaring. Conversely, pipes with multiple sharp bends, severe structural weaknesses, vacuum conditions or where external loadings exist, one would benefit from CIPP’s capabilities, mirroring the Crow’s resilient and efficient manoeuvrability. >
Summary:
• Installation Speed: FFRP boasts the fastest installation times among trenchless pipe rehabilitation methods, as it can be put into service immediately after installation. CIPP typically requires a curing process, although UV and silicate resins help to reduce curing times.
• Environmental Impact: FFRP offers a significant advantage with minimal environmental concerns related to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and styrene, which are common with CIPP resins. VOC free epoxies are too expensive on large diameter pressure projects, so FFRP is also generally considered a healthier option for installation crews.
• Application Suitability: While CIPP works well for both gravity and pressure pipes, FFRP is not suitable for gravity flow applications.
• Energy Consumption: FFRP requires less on-site energy compared to CIPP.
• Cost and Logistics: CIPP requires handling and storage of resins, making shipping more expensive and logistically complex compared to FFRP, which is always dry and can be shipped in long lengths. Additionally, CIPP equipment is generally more expensive, limiting its use in some emerging markets.
• CIPP can be used for patching remotely, as FFRP can only be done in continuous lengths, making CIPP a far wider used solution.
• Circumferential adaptability: some CIPP manufacturers produce 3D systems meaning the
liner produced by European manufacturers can expand up to 50% and Asian systems can expand up to 70% circumferentially thus moulding into the shape of the host pipe, whereas (FFRP) from ASOE only has a maximum expansion of 10%.
• Connections for ancillary components and TBranches: CIPP is ahead of FFRP in the race to perfect T connections – this remains an inhibiting factor and although the FFRP community is in the test phases of T connections CIPP has already perfected this art making it a proven and tested method, although not every CIPP practitioner has mastered this art.
• Maturity: CIPP has more than 5 decades of case studies and history whereas FFRP has only been around for 2 decades.
• Length: CIPP can be used up to a maximum of 300 meters in one installation whereas FFRP can go many Kilometres in one length.
• Diameter: CIPP has been used in up to 2400mm in diameter, whereas FFRP only used in up to 1400mm
In many cases, the optimal solution may be a combination of both CIPP and FFRP, just as
the skies can accommodate both the raven and the crow. CIPP can be employed for targeted reinforcement in sections with sharp bends or complex geometries, while FFRP can address internal leaks and extend the rehabilitation throughout the remaining, straighter sections of the pipeline. This hybrid approach maximizes the benefits of each technology, delivering a costeffective and structurally sound rehabilitation solution, ensuring the effective and efficient operation for your underground infrastructure.
It was this combination of technologies that resulted in ASOE receiving the (SASTT) Trenchless Technology award of Excellence during Covid in 2020 when both CIPP and FFRP were combined on a single project navigating 8 bends on a DN500mm pressure pipe system. The partners in the US on the other side of the pond have also had huge success with ASOE under the brand “Bullet Liner” where both CIPP patching and FFRP were used successfully on pressurised sewer and potable water mains.
For more information on CIPP or FFRP please contact us
www.asoepipe.co.uk or email to dpohorille@nuflow.com
•
•
Connection
Rädlinger Primus Line GmbH utilised its self-developed and reusable Primus Line® Overland Piping system to return treated wastewater from a German paper mill to an above ground river.
Low water levels and aquatic ecology are a major issue throughout Europe. As a result, the constraints on businesses that rely on water extraction from rivers, streams and lakes, such as this paper mill in southern Germany, are also increasing.
The mill operator takes water from a mid-mountain stream for paper production and had returned it to a canal several hundred metres below the point of withdrawal. For environmental reasons, the paper mill was instructed to return the purified process water to the extraction spot. In order to achieve this the company approached Rädlinger primus line GmbH who were able to offer a suitable solution employing the Primus Line® Overland Piping system.
What is Primus Line® Overland Piping?
Primus Line® Overland Piping is a reusable solution specifically designed for above-ground pipelines in order to safely transport demanding and potentially hazardous media such as industrial wastewater, brine, process water etc.
The system consists of two components: an aramidreinforced liner and specially developed connectors.
Up to 4,000m of the flexible pipe can be supplied on a reel, unrolled and laid directly – even in difficult terrain. (Figure 1) The pipe naturally conforms to the surface structure. Depending on the diameter (nominal widths from DN 150 to DN 350), the maximum operating pressure ranges from 56 to 20 bar. The inner layer is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which is corrosion resistant and offers a high abrasion and chemical resistance that even withstands contact with highly corrosive hydrocarbons. The Kevlar® fabric reinforcement gives Overland Piping its high tensile strength, enabling it to completely absorb very high operating pressures. The TPU outer layer protects against UV radiation and abrasion and provides the flexibility required for multiple installations and the ability to roll up the reusable system.
The connectors ensure a leakfree joint. Specially designed high-pressure end fittings with flanges or special quick couplers are used to connect the pipework. They can also be connected to pumps or other pipework. >
Current industry practice of increasing friction factor to
Adapts to the surface: flexible, above-ground pipe
Project planning for wastewater recirculation with Primus Line®
The wastewater recirculation line of the mill had a total length of 690m and was to be installed above ground via a raft water canal. The volume of recirculated wastewater varies between 600 and 1,200 cubic metres per hour. Due to its temporary use during the summer and autumn months, the original plan was to roll up the system, store it for the rest of the year and then roll it out again – a classic use case for the reusable Primus Line® Overland Piping system.
However, during an onsite visit, the project team decided to leave the pipeline permanently in the canal due to the difficult access in some areas. The Primus Line F-Liner that is used as Overland Piping system was also suitable for
this case of application and met all the requirements in terms of service life, temperature, UV and abrasion resistance. It also withstands the alternation between several months of operation and shutdown. In addition, its shape remains stable whether the canal is filled with water or not.
As a result of the flow rate calculation, an F-Liner with a nominal diameter of DN 350 was selected, operating at a pressure rating of PN 10. Due to its low friction coefficient (k = 0.028 millimetres), it can also handle the highest flow rates.
One of the challenges of project planning was determining the installation sections. The curved course of the canal as well as structures that had to be passed such as a lock and a building containing the mill’s own hydropower plant prevented installation in one section.
Primus Line’s engineers also had to consider the ongoing operation and traffic on the mill site which had to be maintained while the winch and reels were put in place. In the end, three sections with lengths of 440m, 200m and 50m were defined.
After intensive preplanning, safety training for the installation team from Rädlinger primus line GmbH, and setting up the construction site, work could begin.
In order to place the liner in a safe and stable manner, both during installation and in future operation, the Primus Line installation team had to first remove any logs and branches from the canal. This clearing work was done using a boat and a winch.
A boat and a winch were also then used to lay the pipeline. The team placed the end of the liner with the installed connector in the boat and attached the end of the winch line to the connector. The pull of the winch then gradually unwound the liner and placed it in the canal. In this way, Primus Line laid the three sections one after the other: 200m under the hydropower plant, 50m near the lock and 440m up to the wastewater intakes.
A total of six connectors was necessary to link and connect the pipelines. Some were mounted on pontoons and some were pre-installed before the liner was laid. The liner was then pressurised with water, set up and brought into its circular shape. This allowed the liner to sink to the bottom of the canal. After a final pressure test, the pipeline was returned to service after a three-week construction period. About half of this time was taken up with the removal of the wood. >
Primus Line® Overland Piping is the result of consistent development of a technology that Rädlinger primus line GmbH has been using for more than 20 years for the trenchless rehabilitation of pressure pipes. The Bavarian company’s aboveground solution is now also being used all over the world, including France, Canada and Norway, to reliably transport brine, domestic sewage and process water.
In all of these projects, the flexible pipeline based on the aramid-reinforced liner has prevailed over aboveground HDPE pipes, for several reasons. These include significant advantages in terms of mobilisation and equipment requirements. The fabric-reinforced liner is transported on reels, saving space. Installation only requires a mini-excavator or winch and simple hand tools. There is no need for machinery, manpower or time to be spent on complex welding to make the connection. Installation and dismantling times are correspondingly shorter. Primus Line normally take one or two days to lay 6km of their liner. Lengths of 1,000m and more in one section reduce the number of joints and
weak points. The liner easily adapts to the unevenness of the surface. By comparison, installing the same length of HDPE pipe takes about 25 to 30 days, with increased additional labour costs. Dismantling the same length of pipe also takes only one to two days with Primus Line® Overland Piping, as the liner is simply rolled up, compared with seven to ten days for HDPE. The subsequent storage requirements for HDPE pipes are up to ten times greater than for liners on reels. In addition to storage and transport costs, operating costs are on average also lower due to minimal mobilisation and demobilisation costs and lower manpower requirements.
In addition to cost and efficiency, the low use of machinery also contributes to the environmental friendliness of the Overland Piping system. It can be installed in sensitive
environments such as protected areas, nature parks or rivers without major environmental impact. This avoids emissions and reduces the carbon footprint.
The middle layer of the threelayered Primus Line® Overland Piping system ensures the safety of the flexible pipe: It is made of seamlessly woven Kevlar®. This synthetic fibre is up to ten times stronger than steel and twice as strong as glass fibre or nylon. The flexible pipe therefore has a very high factor of safety (FoS). The burst pressure is at least 2.5 times higher than the allowable operating pressure. The entire production process is closely monitored. Sensors and cameras continuously capture the process parameters and provide the basis for extensive wall thickness and consistency control mechanisms. In addition, every liner produced
is subjected to an in-house pressure test before being delivered to the construction site.
Primus Line® Overland Piping also provides a solution in the event of catastrophes such as landslides, floods or forest fires that cause pipeline damage or failure. A single container can hold two to four kilometres of flexible pipe with the appropriate fittings. In case of an emergency, the flexible and spoolable Primus Line® aboveground pipe can be installed immediately and – depending on the environmental conditions – within a short period of time. In addition, the Primus Line® Overland Piping system has a very long service life – depending on the type of use and the conditions.
A major tourist attraction and historic park with 250 year old pipes that need to be renovated!
Covering an area of 2.4km2, Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe in Kassel (Germany) is the largest mountain park in Europe. In 2013, the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the German National Tourist Board ranks it among the top 100 sights in Germany. Its famous water features including Wilhelmshöhe Palace, the Hercules statue and Kassel’s landmark, play a big part in attracting over 750,000 visitors a year.
There are 14 historic buildings in the lower Bergpark between the entrance and the castle plateau, some of which are now used for catering. All of the wastewater pipes and sewers here will be renovated in accordance with current regulations. This involves a total of around 1,200m of rainwater, wastewater and mixed water pipes with nominal diameters from DN 100 to DN 150 and around 2,650m of pipes from DN 100 to DN 600.
The project team
The owner is the state of Hesse; the Museumslandschaft Hessen Kassel MHK acts as its representative and user. The client is the northern branch of the Landesbetrieb Bau und Immobilien Hessen (LBIH) in Kassel. Construction supervision is the responsibility of AGC - Aqua Geo Consult GmbH, Kassel; Hermanns HTIBau GmbH & Co KG, Kassel, is responsible for construction. The upgrading, renewal and
renovation of the historical sewers, some of which are up to 250 years old and have a box section, is being carried out by Hermanns itself; SwietelskyFaber Kanalsanierung GmbH, Blomberg, has been commissioned with the sections to be renovated without trenches. Hoses and resins were supplied by Bodenbender GmbH from Biedenkopf.
In order to protect the vegetation, especially the trees, some of which are centuries old, and not to disturb the visitors, the client and users set strict guidelines. These included as much trenchless refurbishment as possible and carrying out the construction work during the winter months when there are less visitors.
History: A refugee founds the Kassel canal network
Construction of Bergpark began in 1680: Landgrave Karl and his successors had a Baroque park laid out that was unique in a European garden design - Italian terraced gardens were smaller, French Baroque parks extended across the plain. Today’s design is based on English landscape parks, especially in the lower area.
In “Cassel”, as the town was called until 1927, underground drainage channels leading into the low-lying Fulda existed centuries ago. The canals, which were made of quarry stone and often only covered with slabs or completely unlined, were not connected. >
Clearing work in the riverbed prior to installation
Around the turn of the 18th century, the Huguenot master builder and engineer Paul du Ry (1640-1714), who had fled France, developed an interconnected sewer system for the Huguenot settlement in the Oberneustadt. He was also involved in the construction of the cascades in the new Bergpark.
Du Ry had previously acquired extensive knowledge of hydraulic engineering in Maastricht in the Netherlands. This was one of the reasons why Landgrave Charles, a devout Calvinist and one of the first to offer asylum to persecuted French Protestants, brought him to Kassel.
Some areas of the Bergpark were already canalised during construction, primarily for surface water. The entire canalisation took place from
the beginning of the 20th century. This means that some of the canals that are not considered to be from the time of construction. These are now being renovated without trenches and are more than 100-year-old - “antiques” from before the First World War.
Bernd Schäfer, deputy manager of the Swietelsky Faber branch in Blomberg and the project manager, is delighted to be working on the landmark in his home town: “We’ve refurbished pretty much everything from airports to hospitals - but we haven’t yet worked on a World Heritage Site.”
Economic miracle without monument protection: patched up with mortar & co.
The camera inspections at the start of the project delivered some surprises: Some of the old
plans were very accurate and only required a few corrections. Other pipes took detours that are no longer comprehensible today or deviated greatly from the old documentation or assumed routes.
The damage analysis for the implementation planning confirmed previous expectations: In leaking pipes, the lush vegetation had caused severe damage due to root ingrowth. The old joints were also no longer “sewage-proof”.
In addition, the renovators came across sections of pipe that had been “repaired” with mortar and the like in the 1950s and 60s without regard for the protection of historical monuments, but in an economically miraculous manner. >
Where possible, historical renovation is now being carried out. The old sewer sections are still being used for surface water and supplemented with an additional pipe. For around 1,000m it was possible to dispense with replacing the pipes using the open trench method and to carry out trenchless renovation with pipe liners.
Bodenbender: Resins for the special requirements of sewer rehabilitation
Swietelsky-Faber utilised products from Bodenbender GmbH in Biedenkopf, Hesse, for the refurbishment: “We know the material, we know how it reacts at different temperatures - and if there are any difficulties, we can be sure that our partner will be on site immediatelyeven providing an alternative product if required.” SwietelskyFaber has been working with Bodenbender for around 20 years: “We have always found Bodenbender to be extremely reliable and flexible,” says Schäfer.
Bodenbender is one of the pioneers in house connection rehabilitation with pipe liners. Originally a pipe and sewer cleaner itself, the company developed its own resins and liners together with Bayer AG in the early 1990s. The aim was to develop a resin for the special requirements of sewer
rehabilitation. It had to adhere perfectly to various substrates, harden quickly and “spill-free” for immediate milling and be easy to process even with large temperature differences. Above all, it should be possible to correct errors so that the material does not have to be milled out if the inliner bulges after curing.
In 1991, the Point-Liner® was launched; this was followed in 1994 by the PL® Point-Liner system, which was supplied as a perfect fit; other products followed. Today, Bodenbender is active throughout Europe and Australia. The company also offers its customers and users comprehensive training at its in-house academy and on site. “We not only understand our customers’ business, we also master it ourselves,” says
Jonas Bodenbender, Technical Director of
the company.
The right liners and resins for every challenge
Bodenbender offers precisely tailored quantities and mixtures, but from here the customer takes over: “We first measure the pipe liners directly on site and adjust the resin accordingly,” explains Schäfer. This means that a product with a short curing time can be used for short pipe liners. For long liners, a longer pot life helps to work carefully and accurately. In Kassel, 1m to 50m long liners made of needle felt or polyester were used, depending on the condition, location, nominal width, dimensional jumps and bends of the sewer.
“We also coped well with special challenges such as jumps in nominal width, the wrinkle-free adaptation of the inliners to the old pipes, difficult bends, and the transitions of the pipes into the sections,” says Schäfer: “However, there is another reason why the work is going even better than planned, the mild winter with low temperature differences has actually made it easier for us.”
One-Stop
Innovation and best in class solutions underpin Bluelight’s exciting growth story
By Niklas Ernst, CEO, Bluelight
Eight years ago, the Bluelight business concept was first presented in a small corner of the Aarsleff A/S booth at IFAT 2016. Today, Bluelight has become the undisputed leader in pure LED / CIPP system technology, generating a worldwide total of over €30M profitable revenue per year.
Over the years, fully cured and approved CIPP solutions have been constantly developed, improved and produced with Bluelight’s growing network of partners including Hammerhead Trenchless, Bluelight Lining ltd, Vivax srl, Grupo Mejoras, Radeton sro and Sewer Equipment Company (SECA) increasingly contributing the market’s success.
In 2022 Bluelight released its next generation of LED curing hardware, offering new displays, software, and interchangeable baskets. In addition to the four baskets that had already been released, a fifth even smaller head basket with 64 diodes and a longer 125m power version with 696 diodes, were released at this years’ IFAT in Munich. Both new baskets will expand the hardware options for clients very soon.
There are now more than 400 Bluelight systems up and running worldwide, curing more than 700 tons of styrene free Vinylester resin per year. This is alongside more than 300km of flexible invertible lateral CIPP lining per year with diameter ranges between 70mm and
400mm. The flexible PAA F Liner range based on TPU coated synthetic fibres is just about to be extended to the next generation of fully new designed 3D flex+ liners. These will appear in six different diameter combinations, once production lines are fully established. Additionally, the company has met a recent increased demand for non-flexible pull-in CIPP, which is delivered by PAA GF liners based on seamless GFRP carriers. This new type of Bluelight CIPP liner is mainly impregnated with the exclusive Polyblue 450 resin and is available in a diameter range between 150mm and 600mm at wall-thicknesses of 3.2mm, 4.0mm or 5.0mm. >
Besides top-quality LED curing hardware, and a wide range of perfectly suited CIPP solutions, the Bluelight business concept is committed to delivering dedicated service and support to ensure every customer always gets the best out of the system they purchase.
Reflecting on Bluelight’s success its CEO, Niklas Ernst, said: “Our business model has never been solely about selling the maximum number of curing units. Instead, the focus is always on developing sustainable partnerships with every user of our system
technology. Our durable and robust hardware can perform under the toughest of site conditions, offering customers reliable curing of approved and perfectly matched CIPP and resin systems.”
Looking forward the company’s development focus includes new combinations of LED preheating with LED polymerisation (European patent pending) to further improve the curing quality and speed in bigger diameter pipes. On the resin side, development is focused on optimising solutions for utilisation in
buildings, as whilst all the current light curing resin systems on the market can be used in rainwater downpipes, they are still limited for a broader use in wastewater downpipes.
Always conscious of avoiding false promises, Bluelight has delivered the next level of customer comfort, security, efficiency and quality into a diverse range of markets and is a credit to the dedicated team that visualised and has gone on to drive its success.
The 17.5-meter TBM “Shanhe” is ready for the construction site in Jinan
Herrenknecht has built a Mixshield tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of a two-storey road tunnel, with three lanes in both directions, in the eastern Chinese city of Jinan.
The Mixshield technology is designed for the extreme conditions of the upcoming undercrossing of the Yellow River and the TBM is currently being dismantled, transported, and then reassembled on the construction site. A machine of this diameter has only been used twice before in the history of tunnelling - the largest was in 2015 in Hong Kong, also a Herrenknecht Mixshield, with a diameter of 17.63m.
The order for the Herrenknecht subsidiary, Herrenknecht Tunnelling Machinery (HTM), in China was a challenging one. The request was for a machine to cross under the Yellow River in Jinan in eastern China, in a geological environment with high groundwater pressure, and to create just one tunnel tube for both directions of travel. A correspondingly large diameter was therefore required - 17.5m over a section of 3.3km.
Jinan is located around 400km south of Beijing and has a population of nine million. It is the capital of the Chinese province of Shandong and an important business location. The road tunnel project to cross under the Yellow River is the second one in 2024 with tunnelling scheduled to begin later in the year. The project aims to improve the connection between the two sides to the north and south of the Yellow River.
To adapt to the clay, sand and silt geology, and the 7.5 bar groundwater pressure under the Yellow River, a Mixshield TBM was selected. The Mixshield technology developed by Herrenknecht is an advance on conventional slurry technology. The support pressure in the excavation chamber is precisely managed using an automatically controlled air cushion. This means that heterogeneous geologies and high water pressures of more than 15 bar can be controlled safely even with very large excavation diameters. An individual new slurry circuit was designed especially for TBM “Shanhe”.
“We have also equipped the machine with our special telescopic camera in order to better monitor the tool change and the face,” says Herrenknecht’s project manager Zhao Bin, who has already supervised several projects for clients in China. Most recently, he supervised the two TBMs that are also crossing under
the Yellow River just a few kilometres away from the new construction site and building a road tunnel with two tubes. The shield diameter of the two Mixshields for the Jinan Jiluo Road North Extension Tunnel project was 15.71m.
Wang Hai is Deputy General Manager of the Herrenknecht office in Beijing and is advising the customer on the challenging project. He says: “Thanks to its efficiency, the new single-tube tunnel supports the national strategy of ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. It removes a bottleneck of traffic across the river and is calculated to absorb 7.4% of the traffic volume in one go.”
Project data for Jinan Huanggang Road Yellow River crossing tunnel
• Client: Jinan Urban Construction Group Co
• Contractors: China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co.
• Application: Road
• Drive length: 3,290 m
• Geology: Clay, Silty Clay, Sand, Silt, Calcareous Nodules, Glued Sand
MACHINE DATA
• Machine type: Mixshield
• Max. excavation diameter: 17,505 mm
• Cutterhead drive power: 5,600 kW
• Torque: 35,017 kNm
The factory acceptance ceremony with representatives of manufacturer
Double
The
the
On May 8 in Nepal’s Sindhuli District a crowd of people attending the breakthrough of a speedy TBM had much to celebrate. The 6.4 m diameter Robbins Double Shield machine had overcome incredibly challenging geology to cross the finish line 11 months ahead of schedule.
Nepal’s Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project (SMDMP), at 13.3 km in length, is one of the longest TBM-driven tunnels through the Himalayan Mountain range and is only the second such tunnel to be completed in the country. >
“The overall design of the Robbins TBM is proven, and the equipment’s performance and integrity are excellent. Additionally, its adaptability to the Himalayan geological conditions is very impressive,” said Mr. Liu Fengfan, SMDMP Project Manager for contractor B-2/COVEC (China Overseas Engineering Group Co. Ltd and China Railway No. 2 Engineering Group Co Ltd).
Ground conditions included two major fault zones with challenging and varied geology ranging from highly jointed mudstone, sandstone and
conglomerate to quartzite, granite, and more. The tunnel was bored through mostly igneous rock with maximum overburden of 1,320 m.
The TBM and its experienced crew were able to persevere through multiple instances of the shield becoming trapped with bypass tunnels required to free it, including one instance 4 km into tunneling that required 27 days’ worth of work to free the machine from collapsing and squeezing ground. Despite the challenges, the crew were able to more than make up the time with swift advance rates including
an impressive 1,503.3 m in one month and 72.6 m in one day, both project records set in March 2024.
The success of the machine, despite adversity, is in part due to its proven design. The refurbished TBM was originally used at a smaller diameter on Nepal’s first TBM-driven tunnel, the Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project (BBDMP). The design incorporates many of the same components of that original machine, and the process involved final assembly on location at the jobsite. It’s something the contractor sees as
a positive: “One of the highlights is that this machine integrates the overall structure of the 5.06 m diameter TBM from the Bheri Babai project. After upgrading to 6.4 m diameter, all new front shield components were not assembled in the factory. Instead,
we adopted Onsite First Time Assembly (OFTA). This was very effective, and I find it particularly noteworthy,” said Mr. Jin Haikuan, Deputy Project Manager & TBM Production Manager for B-2/ COVEC. >
With tunneling complete, the work of providing both power and water can begin. The tunnel is connected to a new 28.6 MW surface powerhouse on the Marin River to alleviate the shortage of power supply in the area. It will also be used for farmland irrigation in the districts of Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rauthat and Bara in the Terai Plain, diverting water from the Sunkoshi River
to the Marin River for the project owner, the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation under Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources & Irrigation.
The project’s successful completion is a triumph not only for the communities benefiting, but also for the future of tunneling in Nepal.
“B-2/COVEC and Robbins have
successfully introduced and spread TBM technology in Nepal and shown the advantages of it. This country needs more tunnels,” said Robbins President Lok Home at the breakthrough ceremony. “To have these good performances on these first two projects is really a good thing for the country and our industry.”
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Everyone uses water daily, however, we rarely think about the pipelines that transport thousands of gallons of water below us, both clean and used.
By Rients Jansma and Annegien van der Bij, Acquaint
As many pipelines reach the end of their theoretical lifespan, more problems seem to arise. These problems, such as leakages and wall-thickness degradation, have a massive environmental impact combined with high maintenance costs.
Not every pipeline falls victim to these occurrences, as 50% of
the pipelines that theoretically need to be replaced are in fact still in good condition. In the worst-case scenario, pipeline owners make huge investment decisions replacing pipelines that are practically in good condition. The pipeline condition assessment tools of Acquaint provide the data to make well considered decisions in the near future. >
The Acquarius performs internal inspections in any pressurised water or wastewater pipeline with a diameter starting at DN200. Using ultrasonic technology, the Acquarius assesses the condition of drinking water transport mains and sewer force mains in a single run. Suited for both wastewater and drinking water the ultrasonic technology detects over ten different failure mechanisms. The technology works for all types of materials, such as concrete, asbestos cement, cast iron, ductile iron, steel and HPDE/PVC/GRP.
The PipeScanner allows you to perform comprehensive pipeline condition assessments in a flash. The tool allows external condition assessments of pipelines with a diameter starting at DN50. The PipeScanner is suitable for use with asbestos cement, cast iron, steel and HPDE/PVC pipelines. The tool measures wall thickness degradation, leaching, corrosion and deterioration due to H2S.
Acquaint’s dashboard provides all the inspection and geographical data in one place. It is an online overview to give a quick and easy insight into
the detected anomalies and failure mechanisms. Within the dashboard every anomaly, joint and pipe segment is visualised and can be individually zoomed into. Users can find critical values and monitor these locations closely. Acquaint utilizes Artificial Intelligence to streamline processes and speed up data analysis, ensuring faster dashboard delivery for pipeline inspections.
The dashboard offers an up-todate overview in a user-friendly platform to be fully in control of the pipeline network, including all condition reports.
Want to know more about pipeline condition assessment? Contact Acquaint at info@acquaint.eu or have a look at www.acquaint.eu.
Advanced video camera technology is saving time, money and inconvenience
Historically, diagnosing issues within the hidden systems of a buildings has required invasive methods, significant time and considerable expense. Jersey Trenchless is changing all of this with their advanced video camera inspections, offering a quick, cost-effective, and thoroughly non-destructive alternative. In doing so, they are helping to save property owners time, money, and the inconvenience of traditional inspection methods.
The high-resolution cameras used by Jersey Trenchless provide clear and detailed views of the inside of pipes and conduits, allowing their team of experts to accurately identify blockages, leaks, breaks, and other issues that could potentially lead to costly repairs if left undetected. This service is essential for anyone experiencing problems with their plumbing, electrical, or sewer systems, or for those looking to prevent future issues.
The advanced video camera inspection technology represents a significant leap forward to understand and diagnose the hidden infrastructure of any property. In addition to identifying problems, Jersey Trenchless also offers a comprehensive range of repair solutions. Utilising trenchless technology, they can repair most issues identified during the inspection without the need for extensive excavation, further saving property owners time and money.
World
www.trenchlessasia.comPhilippines
www.nodiglive.co.ukWarwickshire
Trenchless Works catches up with FlowPlant to find out more about their impressive product range.
Flowplant is a renowned leader in the design and manufacture of high-pressure water jetting and pumping systems, delivering unparalleled performance and up to 3,000 bar working pressure. With over fifty years of manufacturing experience, the company’s solutions are synonymous with technical excellence, reliability, and durability. At the heart of its product range lies the acclaimed “Harben” radial piston diaphragm pump and the Aqua triplex plunger pump ranges, which set the industry benchmarks for innovation and efficiency. Its
systems find diverse applications across numerous industries, including industrial cleaning, hydrostatic testing, and surface preparation, among others.
Flowplant takes great pride in its history of manufacturing innovative, high-pressure, and high-quality drain jetters since 1970. With a commitment to excellence that spans over five decades, it offers a diverse range of solutions to meet the needs of its customers worldwide.
Irrespective of whether you’re in need of a trailer, van, skid, or truck-mounted unit, they have you covered. The company’s trailer units, in particular, boast jetting performance of up to 6000 psi and 35 gpm, providing unmatched power and efficiency. With water carrying capacities of up to 200 gallons, its units are equipped to handle even the most demanding tasks with ease. Plus, with the option of single or double axle configurations, customers can customise their setup to suit their specific requirements.
Designed with contractors in mind, the DTK Trailer Drain Jetter delivers an impressive cleaning power of 4,000 psi at 12 gpm, ensuring that even the toughest jobs are tackled with precision and efficiency—the first time around. At the heart of the DTK’s
capabilities lies the legendary Harben P pump, renowned for its ability to drive the hose deep into sewers blocked with silt, fat, scale, or roots, swiftly restoring flow in a matter of minutes. With more than enough jetting power to tackle 300mm drains quickly and professionally, the DTK stands as a testament to reliability and performance. >
Featuring twin plastic tanks with a combined capacity of 500 litres (110 gallons), the DTK is not only lightweight but also corrosionresistant, ensuring longevity and durability in even the harshest of environments. With convenient access covers, cleaning and maintenance become a breeze, allowing operators to focus on the task at hand. But it’s not just about power—the DTK is engineered for productivity. Equipped with a hydraulically powered hose reel boasting speed control and a freewheel facility, efficiency is maximised. Whether pulling off long lengths of hose in seconds with the freewheel mode or adjusting the pull-back speed to match the task at hand, operators have the flexibility they need to get the job done quickly.
What’s more, the DTK sets the standard for environmental responsibility with its lowemission diesel engine, ensuring that performance never comes
at the expense of sustainability. With optional features including a 7-channel radio control, the DTK leaves no stone unturned when it comes to specification and versatility. With options available up to 6000 psi (415 bar) and flows up to 12 gpm (55 lpm), the DTK trailer jetter is more than just a drain cleaner—it’s a versatile solution capable of tackling a multitude of high-pressure
cleaning tasks. From drains to floor cleaning and even culverts, the DTK empowers operators to take on any challenge with confidence and precision.
Elevating Efficiency: DTX II Trailer Jetter
Boasting an impressive cleaning power of 4,000 psi at 12 gpm, coupled with a generous 900 litre
water capacity. This combination not only delivers unmatched performance but also provides contractors with 45% more jetting time compared to our other trailers, making the DTX an ideal solution for areas with restricted water supply.
Powered by the legendary Harben P pump, the DTX effortlessly tackles even the most stubborn blockages, driving the hose deep into clogged sewers and restoring flow in a matter of minutes. Its robust jetting power ensures quick and professional cleaning of 300mm drains, further solidifying its status as a reliable workhorse in the industry. Constructed with lightweight and corrosion-free materials, the DTX features four plastic tanks, each equipped with access covers for easy filling and cleaning, enhancing operational efficiency and convenience on the job.
Additionally, the DTX comes equipped with an integral antifreeze system, safeguarding against sub-zero temperatures and ensuring uninterrupted operation in adverse weather conditions. With the inclusion of a manual rewind hose reel and up to 25m of inlet hose, filling the on-board water tanks is made
effortless, eliminating the need to search for suitable hoses and fittings before starting work. Furthermore, Flowplant offers a wide range of accessories for drain/sewer cleaning and water jetting applications, providing customers with a comprehensive solution from a single source. >
Tested as a complete system, these accessories ensure optimal functionality and efficiency from day one, making the DTX trailer jetter a truly versatile and reliable solution for a multitude of highpressure cleaning tasks.
Unlocking efficiency: the Harben pump’s Jump Jet feature
At the heart of Flowplant’s trailer jetters lies the Harben pump, a testament to engineering excellence and innovation.
Developed for over four decades, the Harben pump continues to be the driving force behind our drain and sewer cleaning solutions. One of its most remarkable features is the Jump Jet. This innovative addition, born out of engineering ingenuity, revolutionised long-run pipe
cleaning. By creating a pulse in the high-pressure hose, the Jump Jet reduces friction, allowing the jetter to continue its forward journey even on extended runs. Forty years since its inception, the Harben Jump Jet remains unrivalled in the world of drain cleaning, effortlessly tackling the toughest blockages with unmatched efficiency. With its unique capabilities and proven track record, the Harben pump stands as a testament to Flowplant’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower businesses worldwide.
Bringing it together: Flowplant’s dedication to quality
Driven by a passion for engineering excellence, Flowplant
continuously strives to push boundaries and exceed customer expectations. The company’s commitment to quality is evident in every aspect of its operations, from meticulous design and rigorous testing to responsive customer support. With a steadfast focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, Flowplant remains at the forefront of highpressure pumping technology, empowering businesses worldwide to achieve peak performance and reliability in their operations.
By Frank Reilly - JBP Trenchless Training Director
Frank Reilly Director JBP’s Trenchless, Training Programme
Irecall looking on with some fascination, and maybe a little scepticism, when my two sons were younger as they embarked on teaching themselves new skills using YouTube videos. One wanted to learn how to play the guitar and the other how to create a shock glove (it’s a thing; Google it!). One of my sons is now a newly qualified engineer, and the other is a conservationist.
And, by the way, you’d be wrong if you assumed the shock glove creator became the engineer! Draw your own conclusions.
The point is simple and perhaps obvious: everything has changed, and for those of us who grew up in a pre-internet age like myself (just after the dinosaurs became extinct!), we need to change our mindsets!
In a previous issue, I looked at the pros and cons of online versus in-situ training. Here, I want to explore some of the sources and channels we can access beyond the classroom to support our continuous professional development.
I’ll come back to YouTube later, but let’s start with where our sector is very well supported. Conferences and roadshows are pivotal in the trenchless landscape, and training is a vital added value component of these events. We’ve just had the Reading No-Dig Roadshow. Next month is Trenchless Asia 2024, in Manila. October will see an expansion of No-Dig Live in the U.K., and 2024 will conclude with Trenchless Middle East in Dubai in November. These, of course, are just a few of the many events on the international trenchless stage. There are plenty more at a local level, organised and supported by national trenchless societies.
These events gather experts, practitioners, and innovators under one roof, fostering an environment of collaborative learning and networking. Participants benefit from hands-on demonstrations, real-world case studies, and the latest technological
advancements. Conferences like the International Trenchless and No-Dig events or regional and local trenchless summits provide a great platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas amongst experts and practitioners. Roadshows bring training directly to different locales, making it accessible for those who may not be able to travel to larger events.
JBP, I am pleased to say, will be supporting many of the events mentioned above by delivering a popular programme of “Applied Trenchless Technologies Workshops” to complement the main technical
conference programmes, which we have been doing over the best part of the last decade (more details for the programme at TA2024 in Manila, on page 82).
Anyone who is a regular reader of Trenchless Works cannot fail to be aware of the programme of webinars organised by ISTT. National societies are following suit and offering this invaluable platform for professionals to engage with industry leaders and experts from the comfort of their own offices or homes. >
These webinars cover a wide range of topics, local, national, and international, from innovative techniques and new product introductions to regulatory updates and safety protocols. The interactive format enables participants to ask questions in real-time and gain insights tailored to their specific concerns. Moreover, recordings of these webinars extend their shelf life and give access to a wider audience.
Back to YouTube (other video platforms are available!). Video is already the preferred method for communication across a multitude of platforms, whether it is for commercial presentations, promotional or marketing purposes, or indeed training. It’s immediacy and direct impact, combined with our ability to access it in HD without annoying buffering
delays, make it undeniably a key channel in our communications mix. Okay, perhaps we are not yet at the stage of sharing as a matter of routine viral Trenchless TikTok video clips with our friends, not yet anyway, but who knows what may be around the corner?
A quick search on YouTube with the keyword Trenchless will list several hundred different channels, all hosting numerous videos showing different aspects of trenchless technologies and methods. A closer look reveals that some of these videos have been viewed, not in the hundreds, not the thousands, nor even in the tens of thousands, but hundreds of thousands of times. A shout out to the team at Trenchless Sewer Liner Repairs in the USA. Their video on UV CIPP, featuring some cool, futuristic robotic graphics, has been viewed an incredible 1.6 million times!
Just a note of caution: quantity does not equal quality. I am not referring here to the aforementioned CIPP video, but if you are going to launch a video channel, make sure it is well managed and kept upto-date. Quality and accuracy, as an educator, are up there on my list of top priorities, and by the way, both have a close relationship with persuading the viewer!
So, to sum up, take your learning experiences on a road trip beyond the confines of the conventional classroom, and who knows what hidden talents you may unlock - a potential Spanish classical guitarist or a shock glove maker par excellence?
In the next issue: Who’s signed up for the next course?
www.trenchless.training
In today’s competitive business environment, the way organisations procure and implement products can have a significant impact on their operational efficiency and overall success. One of the critical decisions organisations face is whether to work with a simple distributor, or to partner with a comprehensive solution provider. Understanding these differences is crucial for companies looking to maximise the value and effectiveness of their investment.
Distributor or solution provider: How to choose?
A distributor, focuses primarily on selling and
delivering products, acting as an intermediary between the manufacturer and the end user. Their role is largely transactional, providing the necessary items but offering limited support beyond the purchase.
In contrast, a solution provider, like JBP Composites S.L, takes a comprehensive approach, addressing the full spectrum of customer needs. We not only provide the products, but also offer comprehensive services such as conducting case studies to understand specific requirements, preparing detailed proposals, supplying the necessary machinery and products, providing thorough
training and ensuring robust after-sales support. This endto-end service ensures that the customer receives a bespoke solution that enhances the overall value and effectiveness of the products being deployed.
Successful case study in Malaysia: Citi Trenchless SDN. BHD
The case of Citi Trenchless, a Malaysian company based in Kota Kinabalu, is one of many success stories that JBP can relate to as a solution provider. In two years, Citi Trenchless has developed its business using trenchless technologies, installing kilometres of liners and hundreds of patch repairs
supplied by JBP. Let us explain JBP’s extensive monitoring process for CITI Trenchless.
In March 2022, CITI Trenchless invested in sending 4 of its staff on one of JBP’s Trenchless Training Courses. They enrolled in JBP’s 3-day course in Sewer Pipeline Condition Assessment and Coding, accessing the course on-line form their offices in Kota Kinabalu. At the same time, CITI Trenchless asked for a quotation for UV equipment and patch repair material.
In July 2022, the JBP team travelled to Kota Kinabalu to meet the CITI Trenchless team. We carried out a site visit to prepare a case study and quote. This visit was essential to understand the needs of this potential client, the environment in which they work (pipes and working conditions) and to establish a relationship based on professionalism and trust.
3. Supply of machinery and materials
After the visit, JBP made an offer based on our experience and expertise, in line with the client’s needs. Two months after the visit, the first two shipments of products and machinery left the port of Valencia for Malaysia.
Once the materials and machinery arrived at their destination, we organised a follow-up site visit to conduct an intensive three-day training course in January 2023. The first two days focused on training on the UV equipment and liners, working alongside a BKP application technician
to ensure full understanding and proficiency. The third day was dedicated to specialist training on patch repair system, ensuring that all aspects of the equipment and applications were thoroughly covered.
5. The after-sales support
For JBP, after-sales support is a critical component of the customer service process, encompassing a range of activities designed to ensure customer satisfaction and optimal performance of the products purchased. Our after-sales service includes troubleshooting assistance,
the supply of spare parts and ongoing technical support, among other things.
In summary, while standard distributor, play a valuable role in providing access to products, JBP offers a more comprehensive and valuedriven approach. By providing end-to-end services, we ensure that customers receive tailored solutions that improve efficiency and effectiveness. For companies looking to maximise their investment and achieve sustainable success, partnering with a solution provider such as JBP is a strategic advantage.
By Paul Harwood, Managing Director Westrade Group Ltd & Publisher Trenchless Works
As we move into celebrating the 13th event in this outstanding series, I am delighted to stage our conference and exhibition in such a welcoming, and relevant region such as Manila. Across the Philippines, major projects are completed every day, proving that trenchless techniques provide economic solutions and reduced environmental impact. The social costs are reduced, benefiting business communities, as well as the travelling public.
I have been privileged to have held two Trenchless Masterclass
events in the Philippines. Both were held in Manila during 2013 and 2015 with our Conference Chair Dr Dec Downey and our keynote Prof. Sam Ariaratnam. To have these events develop into a full exhibition and conference featuring over 100 companies has been rewarding to us all and testament to the Philippine infrastructure development plan.
This year Trenchless Asia welcomes support from Manila Water, Maynilad Water, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Hong Kong Tunnelling Society, Philippine Tunneling Society, Malaysian
16-17 July
World Trade Center Metro Manila, Philippines
Association for Trenchless Technologies, Arup and Link Energie, as well as the GSTT and UKSTT. I would like to thank them all for their support and commitment to bringing trenchless methods to the Philippines and providing us a far-reaching network to promote our event.
Trenchless Asia has a reputation for attracting top quality audiences to this highly focused exhibition and conference. The event was first held in Singapore in 1995 and has subsequently been held in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Our last Trenchless Asia event held in Kuala Lumpur in 2023 generated an outstanding attendance of over 2,400 people.
Headlining the event this year are industry market leaders and some of the most influential decision makers in trenchless technology from around the world. Special thanks go out to our Platinum Sponsors: DCI, Drillto, Pipesolution Inc, USAE, Vermeer and XCMG. Also, huge thanks go to our conference sponsor: PE100+ Association, our conference and drinks sponsor: Herrenknecht and our catering sponsor: Rockpecker. We appreciate all collective efforts and commitment to showcasing Trenchless Asia 2024 at its best.
Westrade is committed to representing and promoting Trenchless technology all over the world. One of the key features in all Westrade events is investing in the future of trenchless technology
‘tomorrow’s trenchless professionals’ and developing the skills of trenchless technologists already in practice. I am delighted to once again team up with JBP the world’s leading trenchless training organization. My thanks to JBP for putting on a free to attend introduction to the range of available trenchless technologies and methods for those who may be new to the sector, as well as more detailed technical training for those who already have hands-on experience.
See you there!
Explore the world of Trenchless Technology Register for Trenchless Asia 2024 today!
Join us for an insightful event featuring confirmed speakers from these prestigious organisations
• Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage System Regulatory Office
• Maynilad Water
• Manila Water
• Arup
• Philippine Tunneling Society
• Malaysia Association for Trenchless Technology
• Hong Kong Tunnelling Society
• Sam Ariaratnam, Professor & Construction Engineering Programme Chair Arizona State University
Your FREE visitor ticket will include
• Two-day access to the Conference Programme
• Explore world-class exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge trenchless techniques
• Free Trenchless Technology sessions provided by JBP Trenchless Training
• Certificate of attendance with CPD points opportunities
• Free catering including lunch and refreshments
• Entry into a prize draw for a high-tech prize
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders
Secure your place in shaping the future of Trenchless Technology!
Register to attend at www.trenchlessasia.com
BOOK YOUR SESSIONS TODAY
www.trenchlessasia.com
Ahead of Trenchless Asia Michael Wong, Pipesolution Inc gives us an overview of the local trenchless market
The first Trenchless operations in South East Asia started in Singapore in the 1970s with the introduction of horizontal directional drilling. This was followed by pipe jacking and micro-tunnelling projects a few years later in the early 80s. The initial microtunnelling machine was in fact brought into Singapore from Japan to construct Singapore’s first sewerage network system. Since then, South East Asia has never looked back with works extending across the region including Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Myanmar.
In the Philippines, one of the most significant trenchless
projects was first water system tunnel, better known in the Philippines as the UmirayAngat Tunnel. The project was launched by Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in the mid-90s and in 1996, the Robbins 4.88m shielded tunnel boring machine started its long journey. The result was a 13km tunnel with a 4.30m diameter.
In 2016, the Philippines Government Department of Environment and Natural Resources passed the Clean Water Act Legislation (DAO 2016-08), Republic Act No 9275. The approval of this legislation propelled the demand for wastewater treatment in the Philippines, resulting in
sky rocketing demands for sewerage treatment plants and sewerage networks. The rapid development and unplanned urbanisation of Metro Manila and its surrounding cities however makes conventional open excavation method of laying sewer pipelines extremely unfavourable. Hence, giving to the rise in demand for trenchless pipelaying works both for sewers and water.
In terms of service providers or contractors, pre pandemic there were only a handful contractors that were capable of providing trenchless pipe laying services. As of June 2024 there are now over a dozen local and international contractors with this capability. Even though local companies such as DMCI, Linkenergie, FF Cruz, Pipesolution and many other Filipino companies only
ventured into the trenchless world less than a decade ago, they now stand side by side with international contractors such as China Water Electric International, Ludwig Pfeiffer and others.
As for demand of new pipelines, at present time Metro Manila only has 20 to 25% sewerage coverage and about 75% fresh water coverage. There is still a big gap between what is needed and what is in place. With the growing population and increase in population in density, the urgency for new pipelines is now greater than ever before. Over 600km of sewer pipeline needs to be laid to meet the current and short term demand across the Metro Manila and its surrounding cities, the aging and small existing water pipelines also require upsizing, upgrading or additional pipeline. In summary, there is great
growth potential for trenchless technology in the Philippines not just due to significant amount of new pipeline that needs to be laid, but also due to the limited number of service providers. There is also a need for the Philippines to have its very own trenchless society to not only allow current providers to increase their knowledge but also to share their experience both domestically and around the world through affiliations with other societies.
With 76 years of experience serving the underground construction industry, Vermeer Corporation manufactures machines that make a real impact in a progressing world.
As populations grow and society becomes more connected, various utility infrastructure is required to support development in both rural and urban areas.
Fiber optic, electric, gas and water pipes – Vermeer has a high-quality line up of underground construction equipment that meets the needs of utility contractors, allowing them to efficiently install utility infrastructure with minimized environmental impact in various ground conditions.
These includes Vermeer Horizontal Directional Drills such as the D40x55 and D130S
that help maximise jobsite productivity and tackle jobs in tight, narrow spaces.
In addition, Vermeer’s range of Vacuum Excavators like the VX30, further reduces the risk of striking existing utility lines by exposing them and offers better site cleanup option as well as time savings. The soft digging method of using water or air pressure, ensures that soil disruption is minimised when sucking up dirt and debris, making it ideal for working, even in densely populated city areas.
Aside from that, Vermeer also provides contractors with precise, timely locating and verification of existing utility
lines through the Verifier G3 utility locator. The Verifier G3 utility locator lets them overcome the challenges associated with congested, urban underground conditions and strict regulations.
Vermeer Southeast Asia is the authorized dealer of Vermeer equipment in many Southeast Asian territories such as Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Guam. We are committed to meeting customers’ needs and providing localized service and support.
For more information, contact us at: info@vermeersea.com
The dedicated Drillto team have grown the business from a small construction firm to a highly regarded domestic and international rig manufacturer. Trenchless Works talks to one of Trenchless Asia’s Platinum Sponsors to find out more about its impressive growth story.
Drillto Trenchless Co. Ltd (Drillto) was founded in 2000 by a group of China’s earliest trenchless pioneers. Since its inception, the company has retained a strong focus on research and development producing high-quality directional drilling rigs to support a range of national high-tech enterprises. In addition to its impressive range of machines, Drillto now provides customers with construction training, technical
guidance and maintenanceessentially providing a one-stop shop for its customers.
Producing over 114 models for the domestic and international market the company has established a reputation for both product quality and outstanding aftersales service. But whilst it is now sustaining fruitful results, Drillto, like so many high growth companies, has experienced its fair share of challenges. At the outset,
the Drillto shareholders were focused on establishing the company and as such they did not draw any income from the business. Even against an extremely challenging economic backdrop the management team had the confidence to secure additional funding to support their own investment. In the words of Wang Peng, Chairman of Drillto Trenchless Co. Ltd: “We jumped into the tide of the Shenzhen without hesitation”. >
In the early days, the team independently developed products, trialing them on construction sites to identify issues and areas for improvement. In doing so they gradually accumulated practical experience and started to raise funds for further research and development of the rigs. The result is a range of well-polished equipment that is easy to operate and maintain.
After months of practice and continuous improvement, Drillto launched its first drilling rig in 2001 and marked a solid step forward in the field of construction machinery. The first machines were manufactured in a simple factory in Shenzhen and the whole team still remembers the effort to restart manufacturing after a heavy downpour on the first day of the Chinese New Year completely flooded the facility.
Drillto’s mission has always been to make underground pipe laying easier. The team still adheres to the original aspiration of providing more efficient and convenient solutions for underground pipeline construction through technology and R&D. This mission has become the source of motivation that still drives the company forward.
After nearly 10 years of offering both construction services and manufacturing rigs, Drillto’s shareholders took the decision to focus solely on R&D and production. This has subsequently been supplemented with a range of additional services such as free training, which has helped to supply much needed skills into the sector since 2016.
Over time, Drillto’s reputation and business has continued to grow and in 2004 the company expanded into the
export market with remarkable results. This success is founded on a commitment to ‘growing together with suppliers’ and establishing close working relationships to jointly respond to market challenges. This cooperative model enables Drillto to consistently meet customer demands and creates a win-win situation.
Over the last 24 years, Drillto has developed from a small construction team into a global enterprise with independent research and development capabilities and a widely respected production capability. Staying true to their to their original values of ‘being honest and down-to-earth’ and their mission ‘to make underground pipe laying easier’ has seen the company continue to grow, providing highly efficient and cost-effective solutions for both domestic and international customers.
Since entering the flood season, continuous heavy rainfall has made many cities across China appear ‘to be riding the wind and the waves’!
In order to solve the problems associated with waterlogging, provinces and cities are gradually landing on the sponge city concept, ‘sucking up’ water during flooding and ‘spitting it out’ in periods of drought. To realise the benefits of this concept, XCMG has strengthened China’s technical capability developing a number of breakthrough products that have become indispensable tools for creating sponge cities.
The biggest feature of sponge city is the laying of underground cable, but the current ground
infrastructure is generally mature, and the application of XCMG horizontal directional drilling rigs and pipe jacking equipment enables the construction of various pipelines such as those crossing rivers, buildings, railways and highways without “cutting” the road surface. The application of XCMG’s trenchless equipment helps limit the impact on the city and its residents while making maximum use of underground space.
XCMG is the first manufacturer to develop micro-hard rock pipe jacking machine in China
and has the only micro-pipe jacking machine capable of hard rock (300MPa) geological construction in the country. The XCMG XDN500HL, a small calibre pipe laying machine launched for the rain and pollution diversion reconstruction project in South China, has reached an internationally advanced level of performance and is well suited to current market demands.
XCMG horizontal directional drilling rigs, which can also carry out trenchless pipe laying operations, lead the industry in the domestic market due to
their high construction efficiency. The company also currently has the world’s largest tonnage horizontal directional drilling rig the XZ13600. As the largest domestic trenchless equipment manufacturer, XCMG has also maintained a strong growth momentum overseas. XCMG
horizontal directional drilling rigs and pipe jacking machines have participated in the construction of major pipeline projects at home and abroad, often outperforming international brands with their core strength. >
XCMG’s large tonnage horizontal directional drilling rig, the XZ5000, has worked for 500 hours without any issues in Malaysia’s largest submarine cable crossing project, creating history for trenchless products in power engineering crossings.
The XCMG XDN525 mudwater balancing pipe jack is also thriving abroad helping deliver the Kuala Lumpur sewage treatment project and demonstrating and impressively high efficiency of 15m per day.
It is believed that with the state’s management of underground pipe network construction and the continuous innovation and improvement of XCMG trenchless technologies, waterlogging into the sea will no longer be the city’s chronic disease.
Trenchless Asia has always included an excellent conference programme, packed full highly informative technical presentations delivered by experts from across the Trenchless Sector.
By Frank Reilly – Director, JBP’s Trenchless Training Programme
Frank Reilly Director JBP’s Trenchless, Training Programme
JBP, since Trenchless Asia’s inception in 2016, have complemented the main conference, with a programme of Applied Trenchless Technology workshops. The emphasis here is very much on the applied aspects of trenchless methods and technologies. Throughout the workshops we draw on the practical, hands-on experience and current insights of trenchless experts from across the sector.
In this year’s workshops programme, in Manila,
we are fortunate to have, amongst others, the insights of Professor Sam Ariaratnam, Sunstate Chair of Construction Management & Engineering at Arizona State University and a world-renowned expert in Horizontal Directional Drilling; Dr. Dec Downey, current president and past chairman of the International Society for Trenchless Technologies, also a globally-recognized expert with over four decades of experience in trenchless rehabilitation methods, and Clive Key with more than a decade of project management of maintenance
and rehabilitation projects throughout the Middle East.
This year, uniquely, the programme also includes a round table discussion, with Dr Downey, En Faizal Othman Chairman of Malaysia’s Trenchless Association (MATT), and Mr Tang Chua Boon Vice-Chair for Singapore’s Trenchless Society (SgSTT) – a great opportunity to get their perspectives on the role and contributions of societies in education and promoting Trenchless.
JBP, through its Trenchless Training Programmes, are an international provider of courses for professionals working in the water and wastewater sector. We work with the Trenchless sector’s leading experts and practitioners, developing and delivering practical training courses that enhance
the knowledge, skills and understanding of trenchless professionals in the application of trenchless methods and technologies.
We are delighted to be partnering with Westrade, once again, at Trenchless Asia in Manila, to be able to deliver JBP’s programme of Applied Trenchless Technologies Workshops. It was standing
room only last year in Kuala Lumpur so be sure to register you place now for any of the sessions. I look forward to welcoming you.
Register here
www.eventdata.uk
Cross bores, infrastructure strikes, lost time spent tripping out or moving your entry pit– these job site predicaments all cost drillers money. Rare is the HDD shot that goes perfectly, and getting the drill bit back to where it should be at the correct depth and pitch is paramount for sustained production.
What if you could safely knock a shot out the first time, every time?
With full bore planning from DCI’s TeraTrak R1, it’s more possible than ever. But how?
The R1 is a topo mapping tool specifically engineered for HDD job sites. It uses an internal multi-axis accelerometer (“Great Scott, Marty!”), not GPS, so its data is accurate to the inch and always available, even in the most remote areas – something GPS can’t guarantee. The kicker? Once the R1 knows your entry pit, exit pit, infrastructure locations,
and important waypoints, it will produce a full, achievable bore plan. No matter the severity of slope or number of obstacles, it does the math for you.
The R1 has been on the scene for a couple of years, earning its stripes on job sites around the world, but it has something new up its sleeve: the ability to transfer full bore plans to a rig’s remote display.
With this latest update, the driller can now see their rod-by-rod progress along with a three-rod projection superimposed over the bore plan’s suggested path. This advancement in on-screen data is an enormous visual help to drillers who can now simply trace the pitch line while monitoring their future rods against infrastructure locations and waypoints. This technology is the biggest innovation in the world of HDD in years.
Trevor Igo, owner operator of Igo Inc. in Oklahoma has been using
the R1 since it was first available. For those who think Oklahoma is flat country and soft soil, Trevor might beg to differ.
“Where I work, there are a lot of hills, creek beds...a fair amount of rock. Having full bore plans from the R1 to help me with setback distance and making sure I’m not overbending my rods helps me work faster and safer.”
And safety is where the R1 excels. Because of its ability to produce efficient, easy to understand bore plans, the following risks to drillers are lessened:
• Utility strikes that cost significant money and impact the image of HDD to the greater public.
• A catastrophic event due to excessive wear and tear on the tooling and drill.
• A costly steering direction mistake from a green driller or new hire on the box.
It’s fair to say being “safer” usually means “slower”, but with the hours and days of delay that the highlighted situations can cause, taking twenty minutes to walk a job site to get it right the first time, especially in tough drilling conditions, will pay off in the long run.
Tyler Chilian of Glory Utilities in North Carolina puts it like this.
“There’s a lot of rock drilling in the Carolinas, so anything that helps us bag a rock shot quick and save wear and tear on our stuff, we’re interested in. The R1 paid for
itself on the first shot we used it because of the money saved on mud and gas alone.”
DCI is very excited about what this means for safety and efficiency in the world of HDD. Drillers now have a view of the underground like never before, and new hires carrying the box can learn quicker on the job site while minimizing mistakes.
Want to see the TeraTrak R1 in action? Find our website www.digital-control.com for more details.
Join the UK industry’s premier event exclusively dedicated to trenchless technology
• Support utility companies and contractors with AMP8
• Live outdoor demonstrations
• Technical sessions - requirements for AMP 8
• Networking opportunities
• Supported by UKSTT and their patrons including Thames Water
• Featuring the UKSTT Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony
• Over 150 exhibiting companies
Well, the year is nearly halfway through and the weather has been nothing to write home about all over northern Europe. I have just returned from visits to Holland/ Belgium and Germany and the excessive rainfall there has emphasised the problems with their networks, mirroring the problems we know all about in the UK. From Windermere, sewer spills, South West Water, drinking water contamination, and a total lack of water capture all highlight the weaknesses in overall network design throughout the world. Interesting that both the Chelsea flower show and IFAT in Munich had sections dedicated to innovations in waste water network design and also water capture and sustainability.
This is something we must focus on. Thinking outside of the box for the long-term future. We all know that the current networks need attention. This requires money, planning, and design. We must pay attention to this, but additionally, where a brand new network is required we must learn from the issues and limitations of the old networks and apply this environmental knowledge. The systems exist and there is so much innovation in the market, it is just getting the slow-moving asset owners to get involved.
The Water authorities often use the word “innovation”, however, I see very little of
this. They focus heavily on firefighting and less time looking at how they can go back to basics and properly plan using the innovations that are already there. There are exceptions, however, it is few and far between and take too long to implement.
June has been a busy month. We have just held our 1st National Trenchless Conference which turned out to be a huge success. You can read more about this later on in the magazine.
We have also just come back from the No-Dig Roadshow in Reading. Organised by Westrade Group, and supported by UKSTT by putting together the conference programme, we were pleased to see so many of our Patrons support us here. We had presentations from Thames Water, Wessex Water, South West Water & Sutton & East Surrey Water. It was a great day! Again more about this later on….
The UKSTT always ask the difficult questions and will continue to do so. Planning the programme for No- Dig Live 2024 is well underway and I am hoping to focus on some of the difficult questions there. The team are engaging with excellent speakers to bring the stories to the event.
I am always happy to hear from anyone and get involved.
Ian Ramsay, Chair, UKSTT
Join us for the annual UKSTT Awards Dinner at No-Dig Live on the evening of Wednesday 2 October 2024 in partnership with Westrade Group Ltd.
Venue: Hall 1, NAEC Stoneleigh Park CV8 2LZ
Dress Code: Black Tie with an 80’s twist
Date: Wednesday 02 October
Time: 7.00pm till late
Tickets:
Member Early Bird Rate £210 + VAT
Non Member Early Bird Rate £230 + VAT
Member Standard Rate £240 + VAT
Non Member Standard Rate £250 + VAT
Early bird tickets must be booked and paid for by 31 July 2024
Why not sponsor one of our awards or have the chance to raise a toast to our guests at the drinks reception! We also have the opportunity for one table to host our guest speaker The Rev Richard Coles. For further details about our sponsorship opportunities, please contact Trevor Dorrell on tdorrell@westrade.co.uk +44(0)1923 723 990
On arrival, guests will enjoy an 80’s style drinks reception before sitting down to enjoy a fantastic 3 course meal. The event will showcase and recognise this year’s best performing and most innovative trenchless technologies. HERE
Further details are availableCLICK TO BOOK TICKETS NOW
Hosted
by
Summer is coming and we are looking forward to our two events in June. The first National Trenchless Conference, 11th June at MTC, Coventry and No Dig Roadshow, 26th June at the Hilton, Reading. Events like these gives the UKSTT Council the opportunity to network with our members and for you as members to share with us your experiences and expectations.
Are we doing a good job for you? Don’t forget these dates for your October Diary. No Dig Live 2024 Tuesday 1st October – Thursday 3rd October and the Annual Awards Dinner Wednesday 2nd October Focus right now is on the Annual Awards Dinner which coincides with No Dig Live 2024. Tickets will be released soon as will the details of what we have been up to behind the scenes to make
sure we have a successful and thoroughly enjoyable evening.
As you all know we like to support deserving charities at our Awards Dinners and this year is no different, so our chosen Charities are the Christies Trust and MND, our team are planning to have a few different options available for donations, but we are also happy to rattle a bucket or two for those of you who still carry a bit of cash. And remember we have a change of venue – if you end up in Peterborough, we won’t be there! We’ll be at NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. The awards entry deadline is coming up, July 7th will be here soon, and we look forward to seeing the short list, one award to bring to your attention is the Young Professional Award; we hope
that our more mature members are mentoring and sharing their knowledge to ensure the future of our industry keeps on developing.
Before we sign off for this month, we’d like to remind you of the some of the benefits that come with your membership:
• Membership discounts to Exhibitions and Masterclasses
• PR Opportunities: UKSTT will help you to raise your social media presence
• Free company details and links on the UKSTT website
• Editorial opportunities here on Trenchless Buzz and Trenchless Works
See you in June! Dawn, Leon & the UKSTT Memberships Services Committee
Dear ISTT members
As you may be aware that there will be many national, regional, international No Dig events in the following few months, so please do not forget to check the ISTT event calendar in the ISTT website. As you may remember, since late last year, I have attended the no dig events in Berlin, Jinan(China), Changsha(China), and Paris. The FSTT-VST 2024, an European No Dig, was held on May 29-30 in Paris, France, accommodated more than 60 exhibitors and around 500 attendees. It also served as an occasion for remembering Michel Mermet, ISTT and FSTT Past Chairman.
Michel Mermet, passed away on February 23, 2024. A pioneer in the introduction trenchless techniques to France, Michel Mermet served with great energy as FSTT Chairman until 2003. He chaired ISTT from 1993 to 1996. In 2015, the ISTT awarded him the “Lifetime Service Award” for his significant contributions to the FSTT and ISTT.
In addition to the intercontinental China-Europe TT Conf., the bi-lateral and multi-lateral cooperation between European societies and between Asian societies also help in developing new technologies and good business. Through the regional events, like 2023
Trenchless Latin America, 2023/2024 European No Dig, 2023/2024 No Dig Turkey, and the 2024 ITTC, the organizing societies successfully attracted the spotlight by integrating the governing sector, consultants, contractors, suppliers in trenchless business, also created more cooperation between the affiliated societies in their region. Obviously, the demands and challenges in different regions also create different good opportunities. I strongly believe the regional No Dig conferences will be the major trend in the next few years.
I would like to remind you that we will soon have 2 more new ISTT educational webinars, the coming one is “Damage, Causes, and Consequences of Damage during Utility Tunneling” by Dr.-Ing. Robert Stein on 2 July 2024, 14:00 GMT. Please do not forget to check the notice and register in ISTT website. On the other hand, please kindly be patient about our website as it is now under an overhaul process, and will open to the members in late Oct. Again, ISTT keeps improve our services to our affiliated societies, please feel free to give us your precious comments or suggestions.
All The Best!
Keh-Jian (Albert) Shou Chair, ISTT
Taking place on 2 July at 4:00 GMT, 10:00 US EST, 16:00 CEST, Dr.-Ing. Robert Stein of Stein & Partner GmbH/ STEIN Ingenieure GmbH, Germany will present on Utility Tunnelling, which includes pipe jacking and microtunnelling.
This is becoming the predominant construction method for drainage pipelines in metropolitan areas worldwide. With this rise in popularity comes the demand for ever more challenging projects. Put simply, utility
tunneling projects are reaching ever greater depths and lengths. In addition, there is a demand for driving curves, S-curves, and even multiple space curves within a single section to optimize the route and increase the cost-effectiveness of pipe jacking.
This shift in application limits also increases the risk of execution errors during utility tunneling. This webinar, therefore, presents possible damage, causes, and consequences of damage
during pipe jacking and microtunnelling, thus providing important engineering knowhow to ensure damage-free Utility Tunnelling even under more demanding boundary conditions. Specifically, damage, causes, and consequences of leaking pipe connections, cracks, spalling, position changes of the jacking pipes, and damage to jacking components are addressed.
Dr.-Ing. Robert Stein is the Managing Associate of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stein & Partner GmbH and Managing Director of STEIN Ingenieure GmbH and STEIN Infrastructure Management GmbH. He has been involved with a multitude of utility tunnelling projects. Most notably, as the project manager responsible for the approval process, planning, supervision and quality control of the 52 km long, DN 1400 - DN 2800, deep tunnel sewage system “Emscher Kanal”for the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. For the construction of the gas
Austrian Association for Trenchless Technology (AATT)
c/o TU Wien Resselgasse 5, 1040 Wien, Austria
Phone: +43 664 5184084
Email: office@grabenlos.at Web: www.grabenlos.at
Brazilian Association for Trenchless Technology (ABRATT)
Alameda Santos, 1773 – Jardim Paulista Sao Paulo 01419-002 Brazil
Phone: +55 11 983893450
Email: hrosas@abratt.org.br Web: www.abratt.org.br
Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology (ASTT)
PO Box 2242, MALAGA LPO, WA, 6944
Phone: +61 419 918 449
Email: secretary@astt.com.au Web: www.astt.com.au
Bulgarian Association for Trenchless Technology (BATT)
China Hong Kong Society for Trenchless Technology (CHKSTT)
Tsimshatsui Post Office 91499 Kowloon
Hong Kong
Phone: +852 9201 1952
Email: chkstt@gmail.com Web: www.chkstt.org
China Society of Geology – Trenchless Technology Committee (CSTT)
Xicheng District Room 151, 26 Baiwanzhuang Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100037 China (PR)
Phone: +86 10 6899 2605
Email: yan64843889@126.com Web: www.cstt.org
Finnish Society for Trenchless Technology (FISTT)
Kaprinka Lake Village Kazanlak 6100, Bulgaria
Phone: +359 2 4901381
Email: info@batt-bg.org Web: www.batt-bg.org
Chinese Taipei Society for Trenchless Technology (CTSTT)
3F, No 92, Roosevelt Rd., Sec. 4, Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei City, 100
Taiwan
Phone: +886 2 2362 0939
Email: zoradcrc@gmail.com Web: www.ctstt.org.tw/en_index.asp
Czech Society for Trenchless Technology (CzSTT)
Bezova 1658/1 ,147 14 Praha 4 Czech Republic
Phone: +420 244 062 722
Email: office@czstt.cz Web: www.czstt.cz
Danish Society for Trenchless Technology – NoDig Infra (DKSTT)
Odinsvej 29 Silkeborg Denmark
Phone: +45 50894489
Email: tina@juul-consult.dk Web: www.nodiginfra.dk/nodig-infra/ startside
c/o Sari Pietilä, Haapasuonkankaantie 10 90830 Haukipudas, Finland
Phone: +358 504132484
Email: info@fistt.net Web: www.fistt.net
French Society for Trenchless Technology (FSTT)
4 rue des Beaumonts, F-94120
Fontenay Sous Bo, France Phone: +33 1 53 99 90 20
Email: contact@fstt.org Web: www.fstt.org
German Society for Trenchless Technology (GSTT) Kurfürstenstr. 129 (Building: German construction association) Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 81 45 59 84
Email: beyer@gstt.de Web: www.gstt.de
Italian Association of Trenchless Technology (IATT)
Via Ruggero Fiore, 41 Rome Italy Phone: +39 06 39721997
Email: iatt@iatt.info Web: www.iatt.it
Iberian Society for Trenchless Technology (IBSTT)
C/ Josefa Valcarcel, 8 – 3a PTLA 28027, Madrid, Spain Phone: +34 913 202 884
Email: ibstt@ibstt.org Web: www.ibstt.org
Japan Society for Trenchless Technology (JSTT)
3rd Floor, Reed-C Bldg., 2-11-18, Tomioka, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0047 Japan
Phone: +81 3 5639 9970
Email: office@jstt.jp Web: www.jstt.jp
Latin American Society for Trenchless Technology (LAMSTT) Medellín Highway (Calle 80) KM3.5 via Bogotá-Siberia south side, Bogotá Terrestrial Cargo Terminal, Office C-12, Cota – Cundinamarca, Colombia
Phone: +57 1 8764675
Email: cistt.arlex.toro@lamstt.org Web: www.lamstt.org
Malaysia Association for Trenchless Technologies (MATT)
No 44, Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur 50490 Malaysia
Email: trenchless@matt.org.my Web: www.matt.org.my
Polish Foundation for Trenchless Technology (PFTT)
Ul. Warkocz 14, 25 - 253 Kielce, Poland
Phone: +48 41 34 24 450
Email: parkaa@tu.kielce.pl Web: www.pftt.pl
Trenchless Romania Club
Roma Street, No. 16, Ap.2, District 1 Bucharest Romania
Phone: + 40724 550 830
Email: maria.nae@trenchlessromania.ro Web: www.trenchlessromaniaclub.ro
North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) 22722 29th Drive SE, STE 100, Bothell, WA 98021
Phone: +1 888 993 9935
Email: info@nastt.org Web: www.nastt.org
The Russian Society Trenchless Technology Association (RSTT) Severny proezd 12, Balashikha Moscow region, Russian Federation Phone: +7 (495) 521 78 82
Email: gnb.06@mail.ru Web: www.s-gnb.ru
Southern African Society for Trenchless Technology (SASTT) 1053 Hyde Avenue, Eldoraigne ext 1, Centurion Gauteng, South Africa Phone: +27 (0) 82 551 7458
Email: director@sastt.org.za Web: www.sastt.org.za
Singapore Society for Trenchless Technology (SgSTT)
84 Toh Guan Road East, Singapore Water Exchange , #02-02 608501, Singapore Phone: +(65) 97124054 Email: singaporestt@gmail.com Web: www.sgstt.org.sg
Turkish Society for Infrastructure and Trenchless Technology (TSITT)
Gayrettepe Mah. Huzur Sok. No:1A Besiktas 34349 Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: +90 212 603 11 01
Email: info@akated.com Web: www.akated.com
Ukraine Association for Modern Trenchless Technology (UAMTT) 83A Srednyaya Str., Odessa 65005 Ukraine
Phone: +380 50 3953280
Email: trenchless.as@novatec.ua Web: www.no-dig.odessa.ua
Netherlands Society for Trenchless Technology (NSTT)
Postbus 79, 3769 ZH Soesterberg, Netherlands
Phone: +31 346 723450
Email: info@nstt.nl Web: www.nstt.nl
Scandinavian Society for Trenchless Technology (SSTT)
Gezelius väg 12, 134 31 Gustavsberg Sweden Phone: +46(0) 70 438 01 54 Email: Kontakt@sstt.se Web: www.sstt.se
United Kingdom Society for Trenchless Technology (UKSTT) Camden House, Warwick Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1TH, UK
Phone: +44 (0)192 651 3773
Email: admin@ukstt.org.uk Web: www.ukstt.org.uk
July 2
ISTT Pipe Jacking Webinar
Virtual
August 12-14
South Central 8th Annual Trenchless Technology and Pipe Conference Arlington, Texas, USA
September 25
HDD Good Practices
Virtual
October 15-16
Western Regional No-Dig Conference Pomona, California, USA
October 23-24
Southeast Regional Conference Atlanta, Georgia, USA
October 28-30
No-Dig North 2024 Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
November 11-12
8th Annual Northeast Regional Chapter Conference
Sturbridge, Massachusetts, USA
November 13
CIPP Good Practices
Virtual
November 14
RMNASTT Trenchless Elevated 2024 Sandy, UT
December 12
Gas Good Practices
Virtual
March 30 – April 3, 2025
NASTT 2025 No-Dig Show Denver, Colorado, USA
October 27-30, 2025
NASTT 2025 No-Dig North & ISTT International No-Dig Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
March 29 - April 2, 2026
NASTT 2026 No-Dig Show Palm Springs, California, USA
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
5-6 November 2024
13th Exhibition & Conference on Trenchless Technology/NDRC
• Enjoy a great ROI from visitors, suppliers, industry leaders and buyers
• Meet planners, contractors and operators, central & local government officers and civil engineers
• Participate as one of more than 85 exhibiting and represented companies from 16 countries
• Join the longest running trenchless event in the UAE, GCC and MEASA regions
• Officially supported by the ISTT, engage in the only conference and exhibition dedicated to Trenchless Technology in the Middle East
Targetting visitors from over 16 countries will include the UAE, GCC countries, Middle East, Africa and South Asia regions representing:
July 16-17 Trenchless Asia 2024: World Trade Center Metro Manila, Philippines www.trenchlessasia.com
September 17–18 CzSTT Conference and Exhibition on Trenchless Technology Hotel Palcát, 9.května 2471, Tábor, South Bohemia, 390 02-Tábor, Czech Republic
Email: slovecky@atlas.cz www.czstt.cz
October 1-3 No-Dig Live 2024: Featuring the UKSTT Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire www.nodiglive.co.uk
October 23-24 No-Dig Turkiye 2024: Featuring 8th Water Loss Forum WOW Istanbul Hotel and Convention Center www.nodigturkey.com
November 5-6 Trenchless Middle East 2024: Featuring the ISTT International No-Dig Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai www.trenchlessmiddleeast.com
May 21-22 Trenchless Asia 2025: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia www.trenchlessasia.com
October 2 No-Dig Roadshow and UKSTT Awards: Location to be confirmed www.nodigroadshows.co.uk
Autumn 2025 Trenchless Middle East 2025: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
If you have an event, course or meeting scheduled and would like to add it to this listing please forward details to: editorial@trenchless-works.com
