To keep up with this demand, different types of contractors are used to help increase the utility companies’ networks through an array of differing ground conditions and topographical areas, which can vary from main cities through to desolate countryside, stretching the breadth of the continent. To enhance the productivity and actual design specifications required to install many of these utilities, these contractors have been using a range of construction methods including excavation, open trenching and ploughing and of course trenchless technologies such as Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD).
Based in NSW and Queensland, Infrastructure Constructions (part of the UXC group of companies) has, over the years, positioned itself to become a major player in installing all types of utilities using HDD.
Since its first HDD machine back in 1998, IC has followed with interest all the new trenchless equipment and techniques being introduced around the world. Nine years later, IC is running twelve HDD machines ranging from small self-contained units to large all-purpose rock machines capable of taking on long river crossings.
Along with these machines, IC has also acquired the latest technology in location systems which can accurately track and log the drill head’s position whilst viewing its progress on a computer screen. This is perfect when drilling under rivers or in locations where the conventional walk-over method is unachievable.
Article continues below…One of the main reasons for using HDD is that it causes minimal destruction to all surface structures. Also, once the drill head is past the existing utilities it can safely travel to the required depth with no need to excavate until the exit point is reached. Another important factor is that HDD has little or no effect on the local residents and their movements, not to mention that it won’t destruct their highly prized driveways and lawns.
However, nothing ever changes overnight and a lot of hard work is still being done to increase the awareness of these methods and how they can assist designers and utility companies for future network builds.
IC is currently installing a wide range of conduits for an array of different asset owners – communication, water, power, gravity sewer, low pressure sewer and gas are all within the capabilities of IC and its capital equipment. The company’s machines are located up and down the east coast of Australia in an array of different ground conditions.
