Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
(OP)
We are having problems with an existing 6" concrete sewer force main in an RV Park. The concrete main is in need of rehabilitation. We would like to Pipe Burst the main and replace it with a 6" HDPE line. But The problem with the existing main is that it travels directly underneath an electrical tranformer and an electrical utility building. The existing force main also lies in the same trench with a 12.o KV Conductor Line. We ruled out the Open Trench method to route around the transformer because the RV Park has several other utilites running running through it and there are no Utility Maps for the Park. Has anybody had a bad experience from a pipe that was laid through pipe bursting and the pipe suffered a break or a leak? And does anybody know if the Pipe Bursting method will disrupt the existing electrical line going to the transformer? Would electromagnetic logging help to avoid the electrical line? Thanks everybody for your input.





RE: Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
RE: Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
RE: Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
RE: Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
RE: Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
Is it possible to relocate the sewer line? You mentioned that a utility building and the trasformer were allowed to be constructed on top of the existing line. As with excavations in existing urban areas or existing high density residential developments, care is going to be needed to undertake the work, but cable, phone and electrical are relatively easy to locate. Water sewer and gas, are a little tougher, but an experienced contractor and project manager should ba able to complete the work without any catastropies.
KRS Services
www.krs-services.com
RE: Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
Krsservices is on the right track. Relocation will provide the best long term solution. Perhaps you should consider hand digging near and around the electrical conduits. The transformer will have a ground system around it. I will be a combination of ground rods and cables about 1 meter out from the base of the transformer. Depth will depend on the conductivity of the soil. Directional boring is an option, however the drill head will follow the path of least resistance, usually an existing trench. Pipe bursting should work as well. The force main and electrical conduit are probably bedded in sand and should allow for some disturbance. A simple procedure for checking for electrical conduit damage is to isolate the electrical conduit at either side of the transformer and either fill with water or pressure with air, if water level drops or air pressure drops, them you have damaged the electrical conduit. Any work you do around a 12kv line should be done with the power disconnected. I am assuming that the line is in a plastic conduit of some sort. Hand digging is not as expensive a you might think. Most electrical lines are only 4 to 7 feet deep.
RE: Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
RE: Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
RE: Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
RE: Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
RE: Pipe Bursting Underneath Electrical Building
Thank you for the clarification, I now understand that the existing pipe is AC (asbestos cement), rather than a concrete pipe or mortar lined pipe.
The propblem with the liner is that the I.D. will be reduced. You have to calculate the differences in capacity and the flow hydraulics to determine whether that option is acceptable or not.
I would still look to see whether another alignment is possible because I am not comfortable with permanent structures (a building) creating a hinderance and liability should a leak result in a repair necessary under the offending stucture. Have you looked at horizontal augering as an option? It is expensive, but is pretty much trenchless.
KRS Services
www.krs-services.com