GSSI Proudly Announce Launch of New Website

Industry News, trenchless products

GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, has launched its dynamic new website. With a completely redesigned look and feel that makes it easier than ever to use, the website’s homepage is designed to help customers explore GSSI’s product range. It features a helpful and easy to use product configurator, quick access to the training class calendar, and all the latest news and updates, including the most recent case studies and videos.

The new Innovation Lab section spotlights GSSI’s most recent engineering initiatives and custom solutions. Learn about GSSI’s approach to developing customer solutions and examples of successful processes used to meet customers’ challenges.

The product pages feature a wealth of pictures showing the equipment in action and clear explanations of applications for which it is most useful. Users will also find data examples for each application and product, detailed product specifications, and a host of support material to help users get the most out of the equipment.

The expanded training section – now called GSSI Academy – includes an enhanced class schedule, trainer bios, training request form, and easy to understand explanations about GPR and electromagnetic induction (EM) technology.

The new website also features a greatly expanded support page, which now includes direct access to user manuals and software updates.

For more information on GSSI and to see the new website in action, visit www.geophysical.com.

About GSSI

Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. is the world leader in the development, manufacture, and sale of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, primarily for the concrete inspection, utility mapping and locating, road and bridge deck evaluation, geophysics, and archaeology markets. Our equipment is used all over the world to explore the subsurface of the earth and to inspect infrastructure systems non-destructively. GSSI created the first commercial GPR system over 45 years ago and continues to provide the widest range and highest quality GPR equipment available today.

Robbins Main Beam Breaks Records in China

Industry News, trenchless products

Challenging Ground Conditions are No Match for Talented Team and their TBM

 In Jilin, one of the three provinces of Northeast China, a 7.9 m (26 ft) diameter Robbins Hard Rock Main Beam TBM has achieved a national record for 7 to 8 meter (23 to 26 ft) machines: 1,423.5 m (4,670 ft) in one month. The record tops a previously-set achievement on the same project from earlier in 2017, when the TBM advanced at a rate of 1,336.8 m (4,386 ft) in one month.

The world record for the size class is held by another Robbins machine, set more than 20 years ago at the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) in Chicago, Illinois, USA, for 1,482 m (4,862 ft) in one month. However, given the differences in rock conditions this Jilin project record is very significant. At TARP the rock was relatively homogeneous dolomitic limestone averaging 145 MPa/21,100 psi with occasional rock bolts; at Jilin the rock types were rated from 35 to 206 MPa UCS (5,100 to 30,000 psi), and identified as tuff, granite, sandstone, and andesite with multiple fault zones—conditions requiring nearly continuous ground support.

Despite the difficult conditions, the Jilin machine has achieved an average monthly advance rate of 708.3 m since the start of boring in March 2015—more than three times the average monthly rate of a Drill & Blast operation on another section of the project. “It is now very evident that well-equipped, open-type Main Beam TBMs with specialized features for difficult ground can traverse faults and large water inflows much faster than conventional tunneling methods. This fact, coupled with the high performance capabilities as demonstrated at Jilin, lowers the cost and time to complete long tunnels in difficult ground,” said Robbins President Lok Home.

The Jilin Lot 3 tunnel, which is being bored as part of a water conservation project, will be 24.3 km (15 mi) long when complete. Under contractor Beijing Vibroflotation Engineering Co. Ltd. (BVEC), the machine has excavated 14 km (8.7 mi) of the tunnel as of January 2018.

Throughout its bore, the Main Beam is expected to traverse a total of 24 fault zones. The TBM was designed accordingly, and is equipped with four rock drills, McNally pockets in the roof shield for the ability to install McNally slats, a ring beam erector, and a shotcrete system.  The McNally slats were used in difficult ground encountered in the tunnel.

The McNally Roof Support System was designed and patented by C&M McNally and licensed for exclusive use on Robbins TBMs in certain markets. By replacing the roof shield fingers on a Main Beam TBM, the McNally system prevents movement of loose rock in the critical area immediately behind the cutterhead support. The system has been tested and proven on projects worldwide—including the world’s second deepest civil works tunnel, the 2,000 m (1.2 mi) deep Olmos Trans-Andean Tunnel in Peru—to increase advance rates while still maintaining worker safety on Main Beam machines in difficult rock conditions.

The Jilin TBM’s first fault zone was encountered after just 87 m (285 ft) of boring, requiring cooperation between the owner, Jilin Province Water Investment Group Co., Ltd., contractor BVEC, and Robbins field service. Water inflows and collapsing ground in a section measuring 1,196 m (3,926 ft) long were resolved with a combination of McNally slats, grouting, and consolidation of the ground ahead of the machine. Ground support overall consists of wire mesh and shotcrete. Tunnel Reflection Tomography (TRT)—a method of ground prediction using seismic waves—is also being used to detect changing conditions ahead of the TBM.

Despite the initial challenges, the TBM is now achieving between 40 and 60 m (130 to 197 ft) advance per day. “My colleagues and I all feel that the Robbins TBM is very easy to operate.  All components of the system work well during operation, which has ensured our good progress,” said by Tao Yong, BVEC Jilin Lot 3 TBM Site Manager.

The Jilin Lot 3 tunnel is part of the Jilin Yinsong Water Supply Project, which will convey water to the central cities of Jilin Province.  The large-scale, trans-regional water diversion project is the longest water supply line, measuring 263.5 km (163.7 mi), with the largest number of recipients benefiting from it in the history of Jilin Province. The construction project will divert the water from Fengman Reservoir at the upper reaches of Di’er Songhua River to central regions of Jilin Province experiencing chronic water shortages. These regions include the cities of Changchun and Siping, eight surrounding counties, and 26 villages and towns under their jurisdiction.  Tunneling is expected to be complete in late 2018.

Image 1: The 7.9 m (26 ft) Robbins Main Beam TBM achieved a national record for its size class, excavating 1,423.5 m (4,670 ft) in one month.
Image 2: The crew celebrates the national-record-setting Robbins TBM for China’s Jilin Lot 3 tunnel. The machine excavated in far more difficult ground at a higher rock strength than the current world record holder—also a Robbins TBM.
Image 3: The Robbins TBM was designed with pockets in the roof shield, allowing it to install the McNally Roof Support System while boring.

Vermeer Introduces the D8x12 Navigator Horizontal Directional Drill

Industry News, trenchless products

Compact and high productivity for everyday applications

PELLA, Iowa, February 13, 2018 – Vermeer expands its line of utility installation equipment with the launch of the D8x12 Navigator® horizontal directional drill. This new compact and highly productive drill is sized for working in tight spaces, features straightforward controls and delivers quiet operation. With two drill rod options for added versatility, the Vermeer D8x12 is well suited for small service installations, including gas distribution, power, water and telecommunication networks.

“From fiber-to-the-home projects to residential utility upgrades, there is a growing demand for compact horizontal directional drills that can easily access residential backyards, are lightweight to help reduce turf damage and quiet to minimize neighbor disturbances,” explained Tod Michael, product manager of trenchless products at Vermeer. “With the D8x12, we were able to exceed contractors’ expectations in all of those areas and more. It’s an affordable service-oriented machine that is over 29 percent more powerful than similarly sized drills on the market today.”

The Vermeer D8x12 horizontal directional drill is equipped with a 48 hp (35.8 kW) Kohler diesel engine and offers 1,000 ft-lb (1,355.8 Nm) of spindle torque and 7,850 pounds (34.9 kN) of thrust/pullback. It features basic hydraulic pilot joystick controls with only essential electrical components, simplifying operation and routine maintenance.

With a low noise emission level of 85 dBA at the operator’s ear and guaranteed sound power of 104 dBA, the D8x12 is an excellent machine for working in urban environments. It can fit through a 36-inch (91.4 cm) gate or onto a trailer with other jobsite essentials.

While on the job, the D8x12 drill’s tracks provide optimized traction for operations with little ground disturbance. With a forward travel speed of 2.8 mph (4.5 km/h), this compact drill can quickly be repositioned between bores.

The Vermeer D8x12 also gives contractors multiple drill rod options. Choose a 1.31” (3.4 cm) diameter Firestick® drill rod when tight steering is required, or 1.66” (4.2 cm) diameter drill rod for more demanding ground conditions and longer drill shots. In addition, it can share tooling with several current and previous Vermeer drill models, including the D6x6, D7x11 Series II, D9x13 S3 and D10x15 S3 Navigator horizontal directional drills.

For more information about the Vermeer D8x12 Navigator horizontal directional drill, visit Vermeer.com or contact your local Vermeer dealer.

ABOUT VERMEER

Vermeer Corporation delivers a real impact in a progressing world through the manufacture of high-quality tree care, environmental, underground construction, surface mining, 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.

HammerHead Trenchless Introduces New Series of High Performance Pneumatic Hammers

Industry News, trenchless products

January 22, 2018 – LAKE MILLS, Wisc. – HammerHead Trenchless, a Charles Machine Works Company, has released the first model of its new XPR series of high-performance pneumatic hammers for pipe ramming and pipe bursting applications. The XPR series features a newly designed high-flow valve system that produces a more powerful impact.  The first model to utilize this new technology, the 26XPR, is the most powerful pneumatic hammer in its class.

The XPR technology is a modification of the patented Air Reverse (AR) valve system standard on all HammerHead pneumatic hammers larger than 7 inches (180 mm). Both systems allow for the reverse function to be controlled above ground, greatly simplifying tool removal from pushing collets and burst heads, saving valuable time on the job.

The 26XPR, a 26-inch hammer, is the first model to be equipped with the performance-enhancing XPR technology. It has replaced the 24-inch AR model in the HammerHead line of pneumatic hammers.

“While our 24-inch hammer has proven to be durable and effective, we identified a need for a more versatile and higher performing tool,” said product manager, Josh Hood. “By designing a system that maximizes the air flow, we were able to increase forward horsepower while maintaining the highly desired functionality of the Air Reverse feature. We chose the 26XPR to be the first model to utilize the new technology to better bridge the gap between our 20- and 34-inch AR models.”

The 26XPR is capable of installing casing 24 to 84 inches in diameter and is suitable for use in drainage culverts, pipeline work, and HDD assist methods such as wash over casing installations, pipe assist or pipe extraction, and guided pilot bore ramming.

It is also effective in pneumatic pipe bursting applications of pipes ranging from 15 to 36 inches in diameter.

The hallmark of all HammerHead Trenchless pneumatic hammers, including the new 26XPR, is easy serviceability to minimize costly downtime due to tool maintenance. It features HammerHead’s patented clamped rear anvil and tail bolt designs, one-piece body and striker, and high-temperature replaceable wear rings.

HammerHead Trenchless produces 11 models of pneumatic hammers ranging from 4 to 34 inches, capable of ramming pipe diameters ranging from 4 to 180 inches or bursting pipe diameters from 4 to 36 inches.

While the 26XPR is the first model of the new XPR series, HammerHead Trenchless plans to expand the series in the future by equipping other sizes of hammer with the high-performance technology.

The 26XPR hammer is available from HammerHead Trenchless or from authorized dealers, worldwide. Authorized dealers can be found on the web at www.hammerheadtrenchless.com or by calling 800.331.6653. (International: + [1] 920.648.4848).

Photo Caption: The new 26XPR hammer features high flow technology increasing both power and productivity.