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Specialized TBM will work below the Hudson River on the Delaware Aqueduct
Robbins has completed the manufacture and testing of a unique tunnel boring machine that will be used to repair the longest continuous tunnel in the world. The TBM will be used to overhaul a section of New York City’s Delaware Aqueduct, a 137 km (85 mi) long tunnel that delivers about 50 percent of the City’s drinking water each day. Over the span of two days in February, representatives from the owner New York Department of Environmental Protection (NYDEP), consultant McMillen Jacobs (MJ), and JV contractor Kiewit-Shea Constructors (KSC) traveled to the Robbins facility in Solon, Ohio to witness the Factory Acceptance Testing of the custom tunnel boring machine.
The Robbins Single Shield TBM will bore a tunnel to replace a 3.8 km (2.4 mi) stretch of the Delaware Aqueduct. The Delaware Aqueduct currently leaks about 75 million liters (20 million gallons) of water per day into the Hudson River. Investigations of the Delaware Aqueduct dating back more than a decade revealed cracks in the tunnel lining. While several inspections with an automated underwater vehicle showed that these cracks were stable, it was determined they could not be fixed from within the existing tunnel. New York City then decided that a new tunnel would be built under the river to bypass the leakage.
To build a bypass tunnel around the aqueduct’s leaking section, Robbins manufactured the 6.8 m (21.6 ft) diameter Single Shield TBM to safely seal against pressures up to 30 bar, and to operate in variable hard rock conditions. The Delaware Aqueduct was completed in 1944. During its original construction, work crews documented groundwater inflows of 7.5 to 15 million liters (2 to 4 million gallons) per day. Because this particular section of the tunnel lies 183 m (600 ft) below the Hudson River, the inflows are under immense head pressure and thus require the unique tunneling technology.
Due to the challenges presented by the Aqueduct Repair, such as difficult geology and considerable water inflows, the TBM had to be designed accordingly. Difficult Ground Solutions (DGS) features, including powerful drilling, grouting, and water inflow control systems have been incorporated into the machine’s design to overcome the expected challenges. “One unique feature of this TBM is the closeable bulkhead, which allows the excavation chamber to be sealed off,” said KSC Tunnel Manager Niels Kofoed. “We expect this to be a key feature in the event that groundwater flows (shunt flows) from the excavated portion of the tunnel cause washout of the annulus grout. Once the bulkhead is closed the groundwater flows are stopped and secondary grouting of the precast liner can be performed, effectively cutting off the flow path of the shunt flows.”
Robbins Project Manager Martino Scialpi further noted that, “the TBM was designed with a 9,500 liter/min (2,500 gallon/min) dewatering capacity. The machine is equipped with two drills in the shields for drilling through the head in 16 different positions and a third drill on the erector to drill through the shields in an additional 14 positions. Drilling and pre-excavation grouting will be a routine job to control and minimize water inflows.” In addition, water-powered, high pressure down-the-hole-hammers will allow for drilling 60 to 100 m (200 to 330 ft) ahead of the machine at pressures up to 20 bar if necessary.
In order to provide access to launch and retrieve tunneling equipment, two deep shafts were constructed in the towns of Newburgh and Wappinger, New York, where the bypass will begin and end. The project site itself poses challenges to the assembly and launch of the TBM because of the limited space available.
Robbins worked closely with KSC to ensure that TBM components were designed and sized so all could be lifted with the contractor’s hoist system and fit down the narrow, 270 m (885 ft) deep shaft. Once assembled, the machine is expected to begin boring in autumn 2017.
Image: The Robbins crew, contractor KSC, and project officials stand proudly in front of the Robbins Single Shield TBM that will tackle hard rock and high water inflows in New York State.
Blog, Industry News, trenchless people, trenchless products
Hutchinson, Kansas – StraightLine HDD, Inc. announced the acquisition of Texas-based Armadrillco, Inc. The strategic acquisition of complementary products expands the portfolio of high-flow/side-load transmitter housings and rock tools targeting hard formation pilot drilling. The combination also solidifies StraightLine’s strategic position within key HDD markets. The change in ownership was completed in February.
“This acquisition is an excellent strategic fit for our tooling business,” said StraightLine HDD president, Joe Phillips. “Both companys’ products are known for industry-leading performance and service life. Augmenting the StraightLine tool portfolio with
Armadrillco demonstrates our commitment to expand our position as a world-class
supplier of Ready-To-Work HDD solutions.”
The addition of Armadrillco products represents a significant move to broaden the
company’s portfolio of box x box/high-flow/ side-load transmitter housings, drill
heads and rock tools. “Expanding our product portfolio with innovative and patented
technologies is a fundamental piece of our growth strategy,” says Jay Cary, Vice-
President of Sales. “Product expansion, coupled with StraightLine’s established sales
and manufacturing efficiencies, will extend market reach of Armadrillco products.”
Initially, the product offering include several box x box/high-flow/ side-load and
slant-face transmitter housings, along with a variety of dirt and rock bits. Phillips says
plans are underway to expand the product offering over the next 12 months, beginning
with a number of new side-load housings in 2017.
The combination retains Armadrillco founder, Chuck Webb, as Territory Manager.
Webb, a HDD veteran as a driller and tooling designer adds decades of field
experience to the StraightLine HDD team.
About StraightLine HDD, Inc.
Since 1984, StraightLine has produced “Professional Drilling Solutions” to the trenchless industry. It’s full line of down-hole tools, wear parts and accessories are known for their innovative and rugged design. In 2015, Straight-Line HDD merged operations with Source: HDD, Inc., a leading provider of used HDD rigs and support equipment. Together, the merger created a company offering total Ready-To-Work HDD solutions—from rig to bit. Call 620-802-0200 or visit us at www.straightlinehdd.com for details.
Blog, Industry News, trenchless projects
OKAHUMPKA, Fla., February 24th, 2016 – Micro Trenching is one of the installation methods being utilized by contractors to bring fiber networks to consumers. Micro Trenching is an installation method in which a narrow and relatively shallow trench is cut, usually on an asphalt roadway. Trench dimensions can range from .75 to 2.24 inches wide and 8 to 16 inches deep. While cutting, a vacuum system connected to the cutter wheel cleanly diverts and transports debris away from the worksite. Once the conduit is laid, the trench is backfilled with a grout compound.
Advantages of Micro Trenching include minimal cutting width that boosts installation production, reduce costs of backfill, shallow depth placement which helps avoid encounters with existing utilities and jobsite cleanliness thanks to the vacuum spoil that removes debris.
Vac-Tron Equipment has gone one step further in the cleanup process by developing a solution to micro trenching using a specialized in-tank filter (patent pending) inside the vacuum excavation unit’s debris tank. In most cases, the in-tank filter eliminates the need to add water to the micro trenching process and eliminates excessive material from reaching the cyclone separator. By using this filter, it will reduce the cleanup time during the trench run because there will be no need to stop and cleanout the cyclone or unclog the exit hose from debris tank due to caked material. Ultimately this will increase overall efficiency onsite.
David Donohue of Vermeer Mid Atlantic says “The Vac-Tron LP 573 SGT is the ideal vacuum for micro trenching, the high cfm’s and low noise output made communication and productivity simple.” David and Pfeiffer Enterprise Inc were demonstrating Vermeer’s micro trenching equipment and Vac-Tron’s LP SGT high cfm unit in Glen Bernie, MD in this photo.
For more info visit www.vactron.com or call Vac-Tron at 1-352-728-2222.
Blog, Industry News, trenchless people
No-Dig Down Under is back in 2017! Join us on the Gold Coast from the 12-15 of September for four days of technical programs and networking with trenchless professionals, educators and experts.
The ASTT is looking forward to your attendance on the Gold Coast to celebrate the influential role of Trenchless Technology in the Australasian region; and to highlight the conference’s theme: ‘Protecting the past. Fostering the future’.
In 2017, No-Dig Down Under will focus on four main topics: safety, training, the environment, and sustainable growth. These themes will be reflected in the conference program, as well through the innovative additions to the exhibition agenda, not seen at previous ASTT events.
Purchase your full conference registration now and receive AU$200 off till 14 July 2017.
With a full conference registration, you will receive access to all conference sessions, an exhibition hall pass, catering throughout the event and a ticket to each of the social networking events including:
We look forward to welcoming you to the biggest Trenchless Technology event for the Australasian industry.
Kind regards,
No-Dig Down Under Team
Blog, Industry News, trenchless products
PELLA, Iowa, February 28, 2017 – Vermeer has bolstered its industry-leading line of HDD tooling and accessories with the addition of the Silver Series drill rod. Building on the tradition of the acclaimed Firestick® drill rod, Silver Series drill rod gives contractors a quality aftermarket drill rod at an economic price.
“There are many similarities between Firestick drill rod and Silver Series drill rod, including the threading and column wall thickness, but there are differences that help us keep a lower price,” said Dave Van Wyk, senior director of Lifecycle at Vermeer. “Firestick drill rod is the industry gold standard, as it offers unmatched quality and steering performance meant for the biggest and toughest jobs. Silver Series drill rod is a close second in terms of performance, giving operators a solid, cost-effective option.”
Like other lower tier options on the market, Silver Series drill rod is composed of S135 common grade steel. But unlike others, it is threaded in the same state-of-the-art facility and subject to the same rigorous quality inspection process as Firestick drill rod.
In addition, Firestick drill rod and Silver Series drill rod have the same column wall thickness, which is thinner than some competitive drill rod options. Van Wyk said this is why Vermeer drill rod provides superior longevity and steering performance.
“Thicker column walls, while cheaper to manufacture, require more force to steer. That can put unbalanced stress on the connections and lead to premature thread wear and even joint failure,” said Van Wyk. “The Silver Series drill rod has the same wall thickness-to-connection strength ratio proven on Firestick drill rod.”
Silver Series drill rod is now available in four sizes: 1.66″ (4.2 cm), 1.9″ (4.8 cm), 2.06″ (5.2 cm), and 2.375″ (6 cm) for use on the D7x11 through the D24x40 S3 Navigator® HDD models, including all current and legacy models in between.
ABOUT VERMEER
Vermeer Corporation delivers a real impact in a progressing world through the manufacture of high-quality underground construction, surface mining, tree care, environmental and agricultural equipment. With a reputation for durability and reliability, that equipment is backed by localized customer service and support provided by independent dealers around the world. To learn more about Vermeer Corporation, products, the dealer network and financing options, visit vermeer.com,
Blog, Industry News, trenchless people, trenchless products
Congratulations to Benjamin Media on 25 years serving the trenchless and construction industry!
BMI currently publishes eight trade magazines: Compact Equipment, NASTT’s Trenchless Today, North American Oil and Gas Pipelines, Solar Builder, TBM: Tunnel Business Magazine, Trenchless Technology, Water Finance & Management and Utility Contractor. BMI is committed to online and interactive media by enhancing its print media with innovative and informative online content and mobile apps. In addition, BMI manages conferences and exhibitions across the United States — from the Trenchless Road Shows to NASTT’s No-Dig — and complements these shows with online webinar programs.
Specialized TBM will work below the Hudson River on the Delaware Aqueduct 
