AMERICAN SOCIETY
Design and
Construction of
Microtunneling
Projects
9 Select suitable investigation techniques
and investigate and analyze ground
conditions for microtunneling
9 Provide firm data to assist in making
informed decisions regarding
microtunnel equipment selection,
microtunnel lining selection and shaft
construction methods
9 Develop techniques to mitigate
anticipated and unanticipated
microtunneling problems
9 Develop microtunnel Prequalification,
specifications and construction
schedules more accurately
9 Understand the microtunneling process
better and how to monitor
microtunneling projects and interpret
the data
9 Manage and risk mitigate microtunnel
construction projects more successfully
and safely
9 You will have the opportunity to discuss
case histories and to discuss particular
concerns or project
OF CIVIL E N G I N E E RS
Purpose and Background:
Significant technical advances and increases in the
utilization of microtunneling have occurred in North America
in the past decade permitting the installation underground
of small/medium diameter pipes in virtually all ground
conditions with the minimum of surface disturbance.
Microtunneling techniques, while becoming increasingly
wider in their range of application and diameter range, do
incorporate many of the complexities of modern large
diameter tunnels including the challenges of technically
demanding tunneling.
This course is specifically tailored for those interested in
microtunneling and will describe the technique in depth
together with comparisons with other trenchless techniques
such as horizontal directional drilling etc. The course will
provide an in-depth review of Microtunneling including all its
aspects. Techniques for subsurface investigation and
characterization and how these are best applied to
microtunneling will be discussed. The course will review
how this sub-surface information is then used in designing,
specifying, planning, and costing for microtunneling
projects.
The selection of an appropriate microtunneling technique
(auger, slurry or EPB) and tunneling systems (such as
various pipe materials or segments in various ground
conditions), will be discussed, as well as the set-up and
configuration of the tunneling equipment for each project.
The seminar will examine the selection, sizing, and
construction of various shafts for tunneling, and key aspects
of microtunnel design, specification, planning, monitoring
and management, including risk assessment and
management. New trends and the state of the art in
microtunneling also will be discussed.
Case Histories and Group Discussion: The seminar will
include a number of relevant short videos and several
microtunneling case histories. It will provide practical
applications and group involvement and discussion of the
various techniques discussed together with relevant course
materials to be retained by the attendees. A list of
suggested reading will also be provided.
Who Should Attend?
Sewer, storm water and utility managers, construction and
project managers, engineers (both field and design office),
construction supervisory personnel, construction cost
estimators, graduate civil or geotechnical engineers and
individuals in the construction industry including contractor’s
personnel wanting a firm grounding in modern
microtunneling techniques and practices.
To register your group of 12 or more, call John Wyrick at 703.295.6184
Design and Construction of Microtunneling Projects

Summary Outline:
DAY ONE: 7.Planning, Productivity & Costing for Microtunneling
1. Introduction to Microtunneling and its role in – Development of projects
underground construction – Key aspects of planning for microtunneling
– Seminar overview – Planning and equipment selection
– Participants background – Drive lengths and depth capabilities
– A brief historical overview – Productivities
– A brief review of all trenchless techniques, – Cost and costing for microtunneling
HDD, pipe ramming etc in comparison to microtunneling – Case study
– Review of microtunneling and principal uses
8. Microtunneling Prequalification,
2. Sub-Surface Characterization in Soil and Rock Specifications, Submittals & Monitoring
for Microtunneling – Contract documents for successful microtunneling
– Geotechnical site investigation for microtunneling – Dispute mitigation and resolution measures
– Characterization of soils for microtunneling – Prequalification for microtunneling
– Characterization rock mass for microtunneling – Specification for microtunneling
– Soil and rock permeability – Submittals for microtunneling
– Interpretation of site investigation data for microtunneling – Operational monitoring data acquisition and reporting
– Site staff training
3. Microtunneling Methods
– Definition of microtunneling DAY THREE:
– Face support,settlement & minimum cover 9. Microtunnel Planning, Management Risk and Safety
– Equipment selection criteria auger/slurry/EPB – Site investigation
– Auger microtunneling – Conceptual planning
– Slurry microtunneling – Key planning issues
– EPB microtunneling – Risk identification mitigation and management
– Use of bentonite in microtunneling – Environmental concerns
– Ground excavation capabilities – Operation Safety
– Rock excavation in microtunneling
– Rational for cutter head configurations and overcut 10. Potential Problems in Microtunneling & Shaft
– Case histories Construction
– Groundwater control
4. Microtunneling Techniques – Excavating and dealing with obstructions
– Cobbles boulders & hard rock
– Microtunneling system manufacturers and selection – Microtunneling in very soft ground and wood
– Site layouts and size requirements – Mixed face microtunneling
– Launching and recovery of microtunnel systems – Operational concerns
– Jacking systems – Ground improvement methods and ground freezing
– Jacking force prediction and monitoring – Issues concerning long drives
– Lubrication for microtunneling – Case histories
– Planning for and use of interjacks
– Alignment control 11. New Developments, Trends and Techniques in
– House connection/pilot pipe systems Microtunneling
– Special features – New trends in site investigation techniques
– Case histories – Excavation techniques and capabilities
– Modern high capability microtunneling systems
DAY TWO: – Soil removal and separation
5. Jacking Pipe and Segmental Linings for Microtunneling – Curved microtunneling
– Jacking pipe types – Long drive capability
– Key factors in selecting jacking pipes – New technical developments
– Jacking pipe & lining capabilities & performance – Retractable machines and other special techniques
– Jacking pipe specification – Pipe arch microtunneling
– Special jacking pipes – Lake taps
– Use of segmental linings in microtunneling
– Segment specification Plus specifically relevant case studies and videos

6. Shaft Construction for Microtunneling Group participation in discussion of case

– Review of available techniques and their suitability histories and attendees’ particular concerns or projects
– Shaft sizing for microtunneling
– Rib & lag & steel supports
– Sheet piles
– Jet grouting
– Caissons
– Slurry walls
– Ground freezing
– Case histories
Design and Construction of Microtunneling Projects

Topics Covered: Seminar Instructor:

–Sub surface site characterization in soil and rock for
microtunneling: A review of the techniques for investigating
and characterizing subsurface conditions for both soils and
rock will be presented and particularly how these are
applicable to microtunneling.
–Microtunnel methods used in construction: The various types
of microtunnel systems available will be discussed in detail for
both soft and hard ground conditions including microtunneling
capabilities to deal with boulders, obstructions and hard rock.
Auger, slurry and EPB type microtunneling systems will be
discussed as well as a review of current microtunneling cutter
head and stone crushing capabilities.
–Microtunneling techniques: Actual tunnel construction
methods using microtunneling and pipe jacking techniques will
be examined in detail with a review of the state of the art for
the technique. Site layouts and planning for microtunneling in
various soils types, alignment control and tolerances, jacking
forces and the use of interjacks are included. Frequent
practical examples will be given.
–Microtunnel jacking pipes and segmental linings: The types of
jacking pipes available for microtunneling will be presented
together with a review of their appropriate use. The use of
segmental linings in microtunnels will also be covered. Key
factors in selecting and specifying microtunneling linings will be
addressed.
DAVID G.ABBOTT, P.E., has a B.Eng. degree from Liverpool
University in England in civil engineering and is a registered
professional engineer throughout Europe. He is a Principal
with Jason Consultants. He has over 34 years of
experience in construction and has been actively involved
in the design and construction of tunneling, pipe jacking,
microtunneling, and other forms of trenchless technology
for many years. His international experience is extensive
having worked in Europe, SE Asia, North, South and Latin
America.
David is a well-known speaker at North American and
international tunneling and trenchless technology
conferences and seminars and he has presented more than
30 papers at various forums and conferences in many
countries. He has also written numerous articles for
technical journals and is a technical advisor on the recent
ASCE Utility Tunneling Video.
His expertise covers all aspects of project development
from project evaluation and feasibility study through
conceptual and detailed engineering to equipment
selection, project construction and operation management.
Since 1983, he has been involved with more than 300
tunneling, pipejacking, and microtunneling, projects.

–Shaft construction for microtunneling: A discussion of shaft

construction techniques their selection and merits in various
ground conditions and shaft depths.
All of ASCE's seminars are available for on-site
–Planning, productivities and costing for microtunneling:
Project development, planning and productivities including key
presentation. Bringing a program in house for
factors for microtunneling will be discussed, as well as shaft groups of 12 to 15 or more people can reduce
locations, drive lengths and the development of cost levels for your per person costs by more than 25% and
microtunneling projects.
your total training costs by up to 50%.
–Microtunneling prequalification, submittals, operational
monitoring and safety: Required prequalification, specification For details regarding on-site training and/or
and other key elements of contract documents for
microtunneling together with required submittal information needs-based training opportunities only,
from contractors will be discussed in detail. Recommended please contact:
monitoring of microtunneling will be described and the
interpretation of such acquired data and training of site staff will
be reviewed. John Wyrick, Manager,
On-Site Training Worldwide
–Microtunnel management, risk and safety: Key aspects of the ASCE Continuing Education
management of microtunneling projects will be discussed
including risk identification, both technical and commercial risk 1801 Alexander Bell Drive
mitigation measures, and safety requirements. Reston, VA 20191-4400
Tel.: 703-295-6184
–Potential problems in microtunneling and shaft construction:
Problems encountered in the design and construction of Fax: 703-295-6144
microtunnels will be reviewed. The means for identifying Email: jwyrick@asce.org
potential problem areas on projects and suitable mitigation
techniques will be described including case studies.
–New developments trends and techniques in microtunneling:
New trends in microtunneling and potential future
developments will be described as well as the state of the art.

–Videos of microtunneling in action and case histories:

Relevant short videos of the various techniques as well as
numerous case histories will be presented.