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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.
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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.
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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.
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GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, will be showcasing its latest GPR technology at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017, to be held March 7-11, 2017, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Booth # S-62452. Technology to be featured includes the PaveScan® RDM asphalt density assessment tool, StructureScan™ Mini XT, and the UtilityScan® Pro utility detection tool.
The PaveScan RDM on display is an easy and affordable asphalt density assessment tool, ideal for uncovering problems that occur during the paving process, including poor uniformity and significant variations in density. PaveScan RDM helps avoid such premature failures as road raveling, cracking, and deterioration along joints. Seamlessly integrating with GPS systems, PaveScan RDM features a flexible, modular design that facilitates easy and efficient operation and data collection. It is available as a small, portable single sensor cart-based system or a three-sensor configuration using an extended cart or vehicle configuration. The system includes a cart, one to three sensors, a customized Panasonic ToughBook, Garmin Glo GPS, a concentrator box, and a variety of system accessories.
Also on display is the StructureScan Mini XT – the newest generation of GSSI’s popular all-in-one concrete inspection GPR system. Rugged, compact, and flexible, StructureScan Mini XT is a good choice for locating rebar, conduits, post-tension cables, and voids. The Mini XT can help identify structural elements, including pan deck and concrete cover, and can also provide real time determination of concrete slab thickness. The integrated concrete inspection tool comes with an antenna, positioning system, and control unit combination. Also on display with the StructureScan Mini XT is the new LineTrac™ XT accessory, which helps locate specific power sources in concrete, including AC power present in conduits.
Drop by the booth to see the UtilityScan Pro, the latest addition to the company’s popular UtilityScan GPR product line. UtilityScan systems are the industry standard for efficiently identifying and marking the location and depth of subsurface utilities, including gas, sewer, and communication lines. Featuring the SIR 4000 control unit, the UtilityScan Pro delivers the configurability and flexibility to address a wide range of utility applications. This advanced GPR system is ideal for locating gas, communications, sewer lines, and other metallic and nonmetallic targets, including underground storage tanks and PVC pipes.
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 nearly 45 years ago and continues to provide the widest range and highest quality GPR equipment available today.
Blog, trenchless products
Showcasing DTH Hammers & Bits in Central Hall 3-5 Booth C31610
THOMPSON, CONNECTICUT USA, January 18, 2017 – Numa, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of down hole hammers and bits, will be attending CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada March 7 – 11, 2017. Numa will be located in Central Hall 3-5 Booth C31610 with experienced staff on hand to meet with current and prospective customers and partners.
Numa will display a full range of DTH hammers and bits for drilling holes 3-1/2” to 48” (89 – 1219 mm) in diameter. Numa’s DTH products have proven to outdistance competitive hammers and bits in speed and longevity with each model designed for specific types of applications. This gives drillers the ultimate flexibility in product offering. A cutaway hammer will be on hand to provide attendees with the ability to see internal DTH hammer components and how it operates down the hole.
Also exhibited will be Numa’s Super Jaws® Overburden Bits. Super Jaws provides dependable performance and longevity for simultaneously drilling and casing holes in unconsolidated ground conditions of overburden, boulders, or bedrock. With its unique wing design, Super Jaws retracts back into the guide body when drilling is complete for extraction of all tooling while leaving the casing in place. There is no reverse rotation required, nor any expensive rings, saving drillers time and money. Super Jaws is capable of drilling hole sizes 5 ½” to 42” (139 – 1067 mm) in diameter.
Super Jaws is available in two versions. One version utilizes a drive shoe welded to the front of the casing. As the bit advances, the casing is advanced at the same rate due to the drive shoulder on the guide body contacting the drive shoe welded to the casing. The Super Jaws ND version allows the use of thick wall casing or thick wall threaded casing. The guide body has no drive shoulder and the casing is advanced via a casing hammer, duplex diverter, or dual rotary.
Stop by to visit Numa in Central Hall 3-5 Booth C31610.
ABOUT NUMA
Numa is the world’s leading designer of rock drilling equipment with over 100 DTH Hammer and Bit products serving 11 different industries. Our products are capable of drilling vertical, horizontal, and reverse circulation holes from 3½ to 48 inches (89 – 1219 mm) in diameter and are used in 105+ countries. We have built our customer-centric reputation on providing the highest value in products, performance and personal service available in the rock drilling industry.
Specialized TBM will work below the Hudson River on the Delaware Aqueduct 
