Indian Society For Trenchless Technology Presents Papers, Papers on Benefits of Trenchless Technology

Underground space is vital for the functioning of our modern society. This is where the arteries of our cities and communities are located - with pipelines for utilities and waste disposal, cables and communication networks, and underground transport routes. And the underground space has still more potential to offer. Shifting production facilities, cultural and service centres into the underground space can make room for an ecologically intact environment at the surface. At the same time, this gives economic opportunities markets, with enormous unrecognized and unexplored potentials. As the world moves together more and more rapidly, there is a unique opportunity to tackle these challenges together at the international level, and to make use of the enormous opportunities that arise.

Benefits, Economics, Social Impacts, Safety of Trenchless Techniques for Subsurface Utility Infrastructure

Other than in the UK there is little recent legislation of direct relevance to trenchless technology. Thus much of this section is concerned with the UK legislative procedure and the impact of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

The extent to which governments can or should legislate to minimise social or indirect costs resulting from the opening up of streets and highways to install or maintain underground utility services is debatable. Such costs fall to society at large and, in particular, the travelling public (whether on foot or on wheels) who may suffer delays, disruption or even injury by such works. The interest of the trenchless industry in this subject is obvious - legislation requiring or encouraging the use of non-disruptive construction methods will also be beneficial to the industry. Other types of legislation may also have a beneficial effect.

Trenchless Technology & its' use in civic utilities

Water and sewage infrastructure and other utility services represent a significant investment on the part of most municipalities. For well over 100 years, the distribution networks for utility services have been located underground in pipes or ducts that are laid, repaired or replaced by trenching from the surface. In cities and urban areas, these distribution networks are located underneath roads. This often makes access difficult, particularly in areas congested with traffic and buildings. When pipeline infrastructure is not well maintained, inefficiencies occur. For example, in water distribution systems, this can lead to leakage and possible water shortages. In sewage systems, cracked and damaged pipes can cause wastewater seepage, leading to contamination of groundwater. These problems often give rise to related health and environmental impacts.

Building Construction Quality Certification

Most of the development engineers are faced with the issues of proper measurement and certification of the quality of construction. Certain product can be useable under a particular set of duty conditions whereas it may be completely useless under a different set of duty conditions. This difficulty is overcome by certifying the quality level of project. For construction industry this certification is done under various internationally recognized certification systems by properly qualified assessors. As the size of Indian Construction Industry is substantial, requirement for such assessors is also substantial. The situation therefore demands institutional intervention for such issues should a proper capacity building is desired. Noting this need, CIDC in association with Assobeton, ICQM, and Regione Lombardia has initiated a project titled "Italy-India Construction Quality" (ICQ) through a grant support from EC (European Union Delegation of the European Commission) under its Asia Invest Program. Through this project a wide capacity building initiative between Italy and India on quality certification issues applied to the building and construction industry will be promoted. This article discusses the project this latest capacity building initiative of CIDC and presents details to the readers.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIAN TRENCHLESS SECTOR

Trenchless applications in Indian infrastructure sector are on the upswing. In the new installations sector for the cabled networks, at one front the maturity of Indian telecom sector is just approaching with most of the drills are heavily committed currently. Further the huge T&D losses of the power sector are the next demand zone for such drills.

water and sewer sector which is just opening up. With almost frugal population of Technology and service providers the sector represents enormous opportunities. Current water and sewer sector projects like KEIP, RUIDP, UWSIP, Kerala Water project are just the tip of the iceberg. With the continued and sustained deterioration of the existing networks a growing demand for these urban services need of Trenchless is bound to go up.

ROLE OF EDUCATION IN TRENCHLESS SPREAD - A CASE STUDY OF SOUTH ASIA

For the last eight years IndSTT has been involved in promoting Trenchless Applications in the Urban Subsurface Infrastructure Sector. Based on its interactions with the stakeholders both local as well as global it been found out the education is the backbone to increase the spread of Trenchless across the globe.

IndSTT has entered into understandings with Trenchless Technology Centre, Louisiana Tech University and Michigan State University Internationally and several institutions on the national front. Through these associations IndSTT is engaged in promoting Trenchless Education through TTREC.

Education also needs accreditation for better acceptability. With a view to this IndSTT jointly with 26 other technology promotional associations like Institution of Engineers(India), Indian Institution of Industrial Engineering, Construction Industry Development Council, International Council of Consultants Consultancy Development Centre, The Indian Institute of Metals, The Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Indian Concrete Institute, The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers, Indian Geotechnical Society, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers etc. has become the founding member of Engineering Council of India which is to become the Regulatory Organisation for the Engineering Practice in India and the Engineers mobility across the globe. Accredited professionals in Trenchless sector certified by IndSTT shall find acceptance with user organisations, design outfits and the executors.

User Sensitization, the South Asian Success Story

Indian Trenchless sector began its journey in 1995 with the formation of IndSTT with the support of the Ministry of Urban Affairs, Government of India. Since then, in the last eight years Indian Trenchless markets have seen several developments. HDD machine strength has grown from zero then to around 205 in 2003. All this could have happen only due to user sensitization through the efforts of IndSTT and associates.

South Asian region represents one sixth of the entire civilization but an abysmally small trenchless market even today when compared to the populations of other Trenchless User regions. The region however has substantial potential in terms of Trenchless application needs. As per ministry of Urban Affairs, Government of India, statistics the cumulative investment for the safe drinking water and sanitation amounts to US$ 40 billion. Should the sensitization of users be not done most of this investment may get frittered away to cover the open cut jobs and related social costs whereas a substantial portions these funds can produce a safer and better environment through the use of suitable Trenchless Techniques.

HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING

Directional or horizontal directional drilling (HDD) methods involve steerable tunneling systems for both small and large diameter lines. In most cases, it is a two-stage process. The first stage consists of drilling a small diameter pilot hole along the desired centerline of a proposed line. The second stage consists of enlarging the pilot hole to the desired diameter to accommodate the utility line and pulling the utility line through the enlarged hole. Figure 8.1 illustrates the two-stage process in the horizontal directional drilling method. These methods are so termed because of their unique ability to track the location of the drill bit and steer it during the drilling process. The result is a greater degree of precision in placing the utilities.

Emerging Areas of Opportunity in Consulting Services

for Trenchless & Underground Technology

Subsurface Infrastructure networks like water and sewage infrastructure and other utility services represent a significant investment on the part of most municipalities. For well over 100 years, the distribution networks for utility services have been located underground in pipes or ducts that are laid, repaired or replaced by trenching from the surface. In cities and urban areas, these distribution networks are located underneath roads. This often makes access difficult, particularly in areas congested with traffic and buildings. When pipeline infrastructure is not well maintained, inefficiencies occur. For example, in water distribution systems, this can lead to leakage and possible water shortages. In sewage systems, cracked and damaged pipes can cause wastewater seepage, leading to contamination of groundwater. These problems often give rise to related health and environmental impacts.

INTRODUCTION OF TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

Further as the world moves together more and more rapidly, international requirement for solutions encompassing most State-of-Art techniques is also groin. As a progressive construction professional one needs to understand this dynamics of demand. At one hand, this gives enormous economic opportunities to the markets with unrecognized and unexplored potentials which at the other hand is a unique opportunity slipping rapidly to the exposed or trained ones. A successful professional is the one who is able to tackle these challenges individually or together with other specialists at the international level, and makes use of the enormous opportunities that are arising.

PIPE JACKING, AUGER BORING & MICROTUNNELLING

Pipe jacking (PJ) and utility tunneling (UT) are trenchless construction methods which require workers inside the jacking pipe or tunnel. The tunnel is generally started from an entry pit. The excavation can be done manually or by using machines. However, it is accomplished with workers inside the pipe or tunnel. The excavation method varies from the very basic process of workers digging the face with pick and shovel to the use of highly sophisticated tunnel boring machines (TBM). Since the method requires personnel working inside the tunnel, the method is limited to personnel entry size tunnels. Hence the minimum tunnel diameter recommended by this method is 42 in. (1,075 mm) outside diameter. Even though it is theoretically possible for a person to enter a 36-in. (900 - mm) diameter tunnel, it is practically very difficult for the person to work in it.

Irrespective of the method, the excavation is generally accomplished inside an articulated shield which is designed to provide a safe working environment for the people working inside and to allow the bore to remain open for the pipe to be jacked in place or the tunnel lining to be constructed. The shield is guidable to some extent with individually controlled hydraulic jacks.

MOLING & PIPE RAMMING METHOD

Impact moling is a trenchless installation method for placement of small diameter pipes, ducts and cables, in which percussion or hammering action of a pneumatic piercing tool is used to create the bore by compacting and displacing the soil rather than removing it. The method typically is non-steerable, although steerable systems have reached the market in recent years.

When properly designed, impact moling is the simplest and the least expensive trenchless technology installation method. It is the most widely used trenchless installation method. Utility companies throughout the world widely use this technique for installation of service connections to gas, water and sewer mains, usually under sidewalks, driveways and other short crossings under 150 feet. General advantages of impact moling are low operational and reinstatement costs, relative simplicity in operating, minimal or no excavation beyond the necessary connection pits or termination points for the installed product, and minimal public disruption. Support equipment is limited to a small air compressor, and perhaps a small backhoe or trencher to open and reinstate the connection/termination pits.

Promotion of Trenchless Technology in low wage economics

Trenchless Techniques promotion is an important issue for the Trenchless Technology fraternity world over and looking at the size of investment in equipment, manpower, consumables & business of Trenchless Technology at one hand and the social costs at other, it becomes a vital issue for all the stakeholders, may them be the Trenchless sector constituents or the civic authorities charged with the duties of providing services and civic amenities to the society and managing the underground utility infrastructure. Moreover, promotion of these applications gains a higher significance considering a major portion of humanity leaving in such low wage economy areas.

In another prospective, with the global mobility of service providers and an acceptance of GATS, challenges with respect to maintaining the price line and delivering the value to the share holders have grown substantially. Concept is not to fear the growing competition but to make use of such economically price services by promoting the knowledge of techniques and training manpower, refurbishing equipment and other out sourced consumables from such low wage economy areas.

OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS FOR THE TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM

For Trenchless joint business of water and sanitation sectors outstretch all other sectors combined. As at start of new millennium, over a billion people remain without access to safe drinking water & over twice are denied access to adequate sanitation. Added to this situation, the issue of appalling state of subsurface networks under the state of severe neglect makes the matter more challenging.

The situation is significant for the Trenchless Industry as it is the only viable solution in complex habitat settlements where the services are needed in congested areas and therefore opportunities. Further these are higher in South Asian and Chinese regions compared to other settlements with India alone chalking out a US$40 billion investment plan.

Trenchless Technology Research & Education Centre

IndSTT has initiated establishment of Trenchless Technology Research and Education Centres in India to promote Trenchless Technology. These centres are being established in association with the Engineering colleges so that infrastructure and other facilities available with them are utilized in a most gainful manner. These centres are aimed to provide training to working operators, supervisors, and engineers; design support to project owners and execution agencies; project formation assistance to governments and other infrastructure development agencies; and other similar services to the stakeholders. This article discusses the background of formation such centres, expected services from such centres, and finally the facilities being created at such centres. IndSTT has already entered into agreements with two institutions and the establishment of the first centre has just started. This paper has been written expecting that it will be read Trenchless Technology stakeholder. Objective of this paper is to provide the insight of such centres and invite the reader to join this movement as a partner so that a win-win situation for all the concerned can be cultivated.

National Urban Renewal Mission

Today, a third of our population lives in urban areas and keeping in mind the speed at which urbanisation is taking place, the day is not far off when over 50 percent of India's population will be residing in urban areas. We taught the world the basic concepts of urban planning. But today our cities are often unable to meet the basic needs of their residents on many counts.

Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon. Prime Minister of India

On December 3, 2005 the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh has officially launched the most ambitious programme ever to be taken up for Urban Development in India. The flagship program titled Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission is to be executed through a combined investment by the Centre, state governments and the urban local bodies estimated to at Rs 1,25,000 crore (US$ 28 billion) to be implemented in seven years with a provision to maintain the gains. A steering group headed by the urban development minister will guide the programme.

Set to cover about 60 cities with a million plus population, all state capitals and some other cities considered important from religious, historical and tourism importance, the mission will focus attention on the integrated development of urban infrastructure and services, with special emphasis on provision of basic services, including housing, water supply, sanitation, slum improvement, community toilets, to the urban poor.

REHABILITATION METHOD

Once pipes are cleaned, inspected and prioritized, deficient pipes are rehabilitated. In the past, we dug trenches to rehabilitate and replace pipes. Not only did the excavation work take weeks to complete, but it also disrupted traffic and other utility services. Today, a couple of trenchless technologies provide new approaches to pipe replacement. Instead of spending time digging an open trench to remove and replace pipes, we use Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) and Pipebursting, two fundamental rehabilitation technologies that are faster and minimize impacts to surrounding areas.

ON-LINE REPLACEMENT

A pipeline with in adequate capacity or whose structural condition is too poor for relining can often be replaced without excavation using an 'in-situ' or 'on-line' pipe replacement system.

The most commonly used method of on-line replacement is pipebursting, in which a percussive tool (usually a modified impact mole) or a hydraulic expander breaks out the existing pipe, and a new pipe is pulled or jacked in behind. Pipebursting is referred to in certain countries as 'pipe cracking'. Some systems do not use a mole, but rely entirely on axial jacking or pulling force acting on a tapered bursting head.

Pipebursting technology was developed in the early 1980s, originally for the replacement of old cast iron gas mains. Following widespread use also in the UK water industry for the replacement of small diameter cast iron potable water systems, pipebursting now has an increasing market worldwide.

Swiss Challenge - The new Paradigm in the TT tendering

Swiss Challenge is a new bid evaluation systems being used by the infrastructure owning agencies. In this, unsolicited bids are compared with the solicited ones and the best option with the maximum benefit to the owner is selected.

Presently the question of relative suitability of different techniques in the Indian TT tendering process has been addressed by the project consultants or owner engineer. Having chosen a particular technique, the owner goes for competitive bidding process without comparing the benefits of alternate techniques which under the project would have been more rewarding. With the growing sensitization, the owners are gradually noticing the powers of various competing Trenchless Techniques and desire to be benefited by arriving at the most suitable solution by doing a comparative evaluation of different techniques.

Trenchless Technology Systems

Applications for the Urban Settings and for Maintaining the Underground Integrity for High Security Establishments

STATE OF INDIA'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE TRENCHLESS MARKET IN INDIA

The rapid growth of urban population coupled with the reducing subsurface as well as ground spaces for laying utilities are the base CATALYSTS for the application of Trenchless Techniques in India and other nations of South Asia. Added to this, the deteriorating state of existing physical subsurface infrastructures evolves into a situation where the conventions are giving way to advancements (Trenchless). In India ten years ago, 'trenchless techniques' was a term known only for advancements and automation and the information in the subsurface constructions. Even the knowledge at that time was rather bookish. During the last ten years Indian trenchless markets saw a substantial growth in the population of drilling rigs (the population grew from non-existence to the present value of something above 400 operating units). Similarly, lining business which started with few metres of demonstrational applications then has eventually evolved into business worth millions. A recent project executed in New Delhi boasts of CIPP lining with dias upto 1900 mm with an approximate length of 7 km. A substantial amount of GRP linings also has been executed during this period and at times it stands out as a cost-effective alternative to CIPP. In this article we are discussing the business of Trenchless in India which is the largest market of Trenchless in South Asia and is poised to grow further.

Unaccounted for Water

Unaccounted-for Water (UFW) is the difference between the quantity of water supplied to a city's network and the metered quantity of water used by the customers. UFW has two components: (a) physical losses due to leakage from pipes, and (b) administrative losses due to illegal connections and under registration of water meters. While every case is different, often both components contribute roughly equally to UFW.

The process to determine unaccounted-for water can be summarized in three steps:

Totaling the volume of water produced or supplied to the distribution system, as measured by all master meters at wells and treatment facilities or points of purchase from other utilities.
Determining the volume of water sold and distributed as measured by sales meters and estimated un-metered uses.
Subtracting the water sales and from the total water produced supplied will provide you with the amount of unaccounted-for water.

Urban Flash Floods-Integrating Urban Planning with water

An excessive and sudden stormwater discharge through urban areas leading to flooding of low lying areas or roads becoming impassable for the durations of such high discharge runoffs are usually termed as Urban Flash Flood. Such occurrences increase public suffering and, at times, due to their severity, lead to widespread damage to property and loss of life. With the increase of the size of urban settlements situations are deteriorating with each passing day and if proper corrective measures are not taken soon, frequency & severity of such losses is only going to increase.

Urban flash flooding primarily happens due to failure of runoff management systems which can be any of the four types (Hydraulic, Environmental, Structural or Operative). Further the approach of maintenance of runoff management systems like stormwater drainage networks and related appurtenances is more a reactive instead being proactive. Need today is to alleviate all such types of failures through a set of prudent operating and maintenance principles.

ROLE OF TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY IN POLLUTION PREVENTION & CONTROL

Pollution is a vexing problem in countries where the population is growing rapidly, development demands are great, and governments have other investment priorities. In developing countries, on average, 90% to 95% of all domestic sewage and 75% of all industrial waste are discharged into surface waters without any treatment whatsoever. For an example all of India's 14 major rivers are badly polluted. Together they transport 50 million cubic meters of untreated sewage into India's coastal waters every year. The city of New Delhi dumps 200 million liters of raw sewage and 20 million liters of industrial wastes into the Yamuna River every day as the river passes through the city on its way to the Ganges.

Population Information Program,

Center for Communication Programs, The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

The issue cited above is not an isolated one but is increasingly becoming a common problem in major Indian cities with population exceeding a million. Treatment of wastes may it be the sewage or for that matter any liquid waste requires a system comprising many components which includes the treatment plants, pumping or moving units and the conveyance systems apart from others. This paper aims to discuss the conveyance systems, which predominantly are subsurface pipeline networks, present state of affairs concerning their development and management and how Trenchless Technology can assist in getting maximum possible yield from such systems.