The Current Status of Trenchless Technology: A Guide for Geotechnical Engineers – Ep 046

In this episode, we talk to Brian Dorwart, P.E., PG, a senior consultant at Brierley Associates, about trenchless technology and review the current status of trenchless technology with a concentration on horizontal directional drilling. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Brian: What is trenchless technology? Who drives innovation and progress in trenchless industries? Which construction techniques compose the field of trenchless technology? Which trenchless technique do you enjoy the most and why? What are the components of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) projects? What are some of the sources of common problems in the HDD industry? What can be done to improve the quality of the industry? Where would you say these industry improvements will come from? Do you have a final piece of advice would you like to give to our young engineers out there? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Current Status of Trenchless Technology Trenchless technology means that most of the work is done underground without disturbing the ground’s surface, excluding the entry and exit points. It involves rehabilitating infrastructure, reusing abandoned utilities, replacing and recycling corridors, and constructing new underground infrastructure. Contractors and tool manufacturers are driving innovation in trenchless technology. Once you have created the opportunity with the owner, the contractors and tool manufacturers must find a way to solve the problem in the project. Some construction techniques for trenchless technology are cast-in-place plastic, pneumatic hammers, tunnel boring machines, and directional drilling. Directional drilling is Brian’s favorite trenchless technique. He likes working with the amount of power that is needed and having the ability to be precise with this technique. The components of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) are a drill, water, bentonite clay, a tank and shear mixer, a walkover steering package, an experienced driller, and cleaning equipment. All the components are designed to match each other because, in any underground construction, you only have one access point. They must tie together so that you can recover the cuttings at the same or faster rate than the drill is working. The sources of common problems in the HDD industry come from the inability to have a common expectation, among the owner, engineer, and the contractor, of what it will take to construct the project and the cost it will have. Another source is getting an underground project that has no data. It will be difficult to discern what kind of drill setup should be used for the conditions it will be drilling in, which can cause costly delays and setbacks. It is difficult for engineers to create a realistic expectation in the owner's mind of what can go wrong, who will pay for it, and who is responsible for it. If you are an engineering student doing internships with contractors and engineering firms, you will most likely find that you have a job waiting for you before you finish school. There is currently a lack of people in the engineering industry. Start training student engineers and get them excited about it. You can do this by letting them get hands-on experience and then learn from the textbook if they are doing it successfully or not. It will solve many of the issues out in the field. Urbanization will be at the heart of industry improvements. People must realize that we need this earth to still be available for our children. It will create the opportunity followed by the innovation coming from the contractors and tooling manufacturers. Young engineers must continuously think outside the box. Find a way to communicate all your complex ideas to various tea...