Directional drilling is used to install conduits under obstacles such as roads, buildings, and wetlands. As demonstrated in this video, conduits such as water, sewer, fiber, electric, and gas can be installed under very busy intersections without disruption of traffic. A small area is needed to set up the equipment. This area can be strategically placed away from congestion and business activities. Before the drilling begins, the crew pre-plans the bore path to carefully avoid obstructions such as other underground utilities.
The horizontal bore begins with the directional drill bit entering the entrance pit. The entrance pit is used to contain and manage the drilling fluids. The directional drilling crew
A typical midsize directional drill uses a 4-inch drill bit to drill a pilot bore. The bore path is typically enlarged to one and a half size the conduit that is being installed. In this installation, the bore path must be enlarged to accommodate the conduit and a reamer is attached to cut a larger diameter hole. The reamer is simply pulled through the existing bore path to enlarge the hole. As depicted in this video, and as most directional drilling projects, very little of the normal city activities were interrupted during the conduit installation. After the bore path is enlarged, the conduit is simply pulled into place by the directional drill rig.
This method of installing conduits has many benefits that include less disruption of commercial activities, less disruption of traffic, less site rehabilitation, and directional drilling can also be used to avoid damage to wetlands, streams, and for river crossings.
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Directional Technologies has installed miles and miles of conduit using directional drilling over the past quarter-century. Call us today to bring that level of experience to your next trenchless conduit installation.