UNDERSTANDING
DIRECTIONAL BORING
Directional boring, also known as horizontal directional drilling, revolutionizes underground installation processes by minimizing ground disturbance. This trenchless technique utilizes specialized directional drilling machinery, equipped with various attachments, to create bore paths underground with precision and efficiency.
FASTER INSTALLATION
ENVIRONMENTALLY SMART
MINIMAL GROUND DISTURBANCE
COST SAVINGS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Directional boring also known as horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a trenchless method for installing conduit, pipe, and cables using a drilling rig. By using a series of drill rods, the drill head is guided along a pre-determined bore path using electronic locating equipment. This locating equipment provides information such as the depth, location, pitch, and direction of the head. The bore path can be adjusted any direction to ensure line and grade accuracy. After completing the pilot bore, the bore path is enlarged by a reaming process. The pipe or conduit is then pulled back through the bore path once the reaming process has been completed.
Some common benefits of directional boring over trenching include less surface disruption, safer for the environment, directional capabilities, deeper installation possible, faster completion times and lower costs.
A lot depends on the ground conditions, but we’ve bored over 1500 ft. in one bore. Our crews typically will bore 750+ ft. per day in good soil conditions.
The maximum depth of the bore is dependent upon ground conditions. We commonly bore between the depths of 2 - 10 ft. Our equipment has the capability of drilling up to 50 ft. deep.
Most of the bores that we complete are for pipe ranging in size from 2” to 12” diameter.
We can bore in most weather conditions. Freezing temperatures and frost in the ground make it difficult to bore effectively. Snow also can create challenges as we’re unable to see locate paint markings on the ground. The majority of our boring happens between the months of March and December.
Ideally, we like to bore in a straight line but realistically that rarely happens. If the ground conditions are good, our bore rigs have the ability to make turns. Although not common, we’ve bored up to a 180-degree arc in the past.
Yes, we bore under buildings as well as roads, ponds, streams, railroads, and other obstacles. When boring under buildings, we can install utilities into the floor of a basement or we can bore completely under the structure to get to the other side.
We have sophisticated electronics that give us all of the information that we need to know such as depth, location, pitch, and direction of the head. Inside the drill head is a transmitter that sends this data to a locating receiver above the ground.
Directional boring has very minimal impact on the environment. There is much less surface disruption and soil movement with horizontal boring as compared to open cut trenching.