Alternative laying methods

This installation technique is particularly environmentally friendly, as it causes minimal ecological damage, which is limited to the points in the immediate vicinity of the system. Several factors also support the use of this directional drilling technique even in urban areas: The technique is superior to installation in open trenches in terms of construction time and cost, permitting procedures, earth displacement, surface restoration and traffic disruption.

The soil displacement method has been established for decades as a technique for underground pipe installation. A pneumatically operated displacement hammer creates an underground cavity into which are inserted short or long plastic or metal pipes up to DN 200,
preferably without socket ends. The pipes are introduced in lengths of up to 40 m, depending on the soil, either simultaneously or in a second work step. This technique allows trenchless crossing of traffic routes, house service connections, preparation of anchoring, bypassing of obstacles, and other advantages.

Dynamic pipe driving by the ramming method uses pneumatically operated pipe-driving machines. These allow installation of open steel pipes as casing or product pipes up to 4,000 mm in diameter over lengths of up to 80 m in soil classes 1-5 (and in some cases also in soil class 6, easily detachable rock) particularly cost effectively and without jacking abutments, under rail-road lines, expressways, and
rivers.

The pipe bursting method is an approved technique which is applicable according to the latest generally accepted technical standards.
A pipe bursting machine is pulled through the old defective pipe. Its dynamic impact energy bursts the old pipe and displaces the fragments into the surrounding soil. A new pipe, of equal or larger diameter, is pulled in simultaneously. The old bore course must be usable for the new pipeline. Lateral inlets or bends have to be opened for a safe, tight, and professional connection. The soil surrounding of the old pipe must be displaceable, and the distance to existing pipelines should be > 0.5 m.

The plow technology has been very successfully used since the
1970s for laying of power and phone lines. It is particularly
suitable for large, open, cross-country stretches where long
line lengths are necessary; however, plowing can also be
used over shorter distances and for lines in less readily
accessible areas. Installation of these lines in sloping ground
and the crossing of water bodies (with water levels of up to
1.20 m) present no technical problems, thanks to the plow
design with its four booms adjustable in any direction.