4.

Methods of Pipe Bursting:

The methodology of the pipe bursting is as the name suggests, it’s a method to replace the
existing pipe with a new one through attaching the new pipe to a bursting head that runs
through the old pipe and displaces it in the underground soil layer and pulls in the new pipe
in its place, this method is used to replace the Sewer, water and gas pipes.

As Explained by Jadranka , Simicevic in their paper “It is based on the type of bursting head
used. Pneumatic head uses pulsating air pressure to drive the head forward and burst the old
pipe. A small pulling device guides the head via a constant tension winch and cable.
Hydraulic head breaks the pipe as it moved in the old pipe and transfers it in the soil , making
way for the host pipe to take place. Static head has no moving internal parts. The head is
simply pulled through the pipe by a heavy-duty pulling device via a segmented drill rod
assembly or heavy anchor chain.”

The methodology used to achieve this cost-effective technology are the:

 Pneumatic pipe bursting.

 Static pipe bursting

 Hydraulic pipe bursting.

Figure (): Pneumatic, Static and Hydraulic (Jadranka Simicevic 2001)

1. PNEUMATIC PIPE BURSTING:

The first method of the pipe bursting is the Pneumatic which consists of the new pipe
attached to a cone shaped bursting head that is operated by compressed air blown with a rate
of 180-580 Blows/Minute.

The mechanism of the bursting head is very similar to nail being hammered into the wall, the
further you push, the deeper the nail penetrates the wall. (Jadranka Simicevic 2001).

Figure () : Pneumatic Pipe Busting (Technologies 2015)

Pipe Replacement Procedure:

 The pneumatic pipe bursting head is connected to the pipe through an enclosure pit
and then lowered into place.

 The bursting head is then connected to the constant tension winch located at the other
side of the excavation hole.
  The bursting head starts the breaking of the old pipe and displacing in into the soil
with the expander functioning as a tool to expand the old pipe so thus allowing the
bursting head to breakthrough.

 The compressed air required is supplied though a hose from the air compressor in the
first hole.

 When the new pipe reaches its final destination the hose, bursting head and expander
are disconnected to allow the settlement of the new HDPE pipe.

Equipment’s Used:

Figure () : Pneumatic pipe bursting head (H. T. Technologies 2008)

Figure () : Constant tension Winch (contractor 2015)

2. Static Pipe Bursting:

As the name suggests, the new pipe is pulled using a wench and a cable with force connected
to the bursting head (Cone shaped Head) and no force needed to place the new pipe.

As explained by The International Pipe Bursting Association (IPBA) “The cone transfers the
horizontal pulling force into a radial force - breaking the existing pipe and expanding the
cavity providing space for the new pipe..”

Figure (): Static Pipe Bursting (Aegion, 2016)

Pipe Replacement Procedure:

 The Static pipe bursting head is connected to the pipe through a Launching pit and
then lowered into place.

 The bursting head is then connected to the Ground Burst Machine located at the other
side of the excavation hole.

 The bursting head starts the breaking of the old pipe and displacing in into the soil
with the expander functioning as a tool to expand the old pipe so thus allowing the
bursting head to breakthrough.
  The Ground bursting machine on the receiving end is pulling the pipe along.

 When the new pipe reaches its final destination the hose, bursting head and expander
are disconnected to allow the settlement of the new PVC pipe.

Equipment’s used:

Figure (): Ground-Burst Machine (Pipe Bursting, 2016)

Figure (): Static Pipe Head (Association, 2017)

Hydraulic Pipe Bursting:

The hydraulic pipe bursting is done through the attachment of the new pipe in the insertion
pit to the reception pit through two phases: As explained by Jadranka , Simicevic in their
paper “first the bursting head is pulled into the old pipe for the length of the segment, then the
head is expanded laterally to break the pipe.
The bursting head is pulled forward with a winch cable, which is inserted through the old
pipe from the reception pit, and attached to the front of the bursting head. The hydraulic
supply line is connected to the replacement pipe in addition to the back of the bursting head
The bursting head consists of four or more interlocking segments, which are hinged at the
ends and at the middle”

Figure(): Hydraulic pipe bursting (Phoenix Trenchless Sewer Repair, 2014)

Pipe Replacement Procedure:

 The Hydraulic pipe bursting head is connected to the pipe through a Launching pit
and then lowered into place.

 The bursting head is then connected to the hydraulic winch located at the other side of
the excavation hole.

 The bursting head starts the breaking of the old pipe and displacing in into the soil
with the expander functioning as a tool to expand the old pipe so thus allowing the
bursting head to breakthrough.

 The Hydraulic Ram on the receiving end is pulling the pipe along.

 When the new pipe reaches its final destination the hose, bursting head and expander
are disconnected to allow the settlement of the new PVC pipe.

Equipment’s used:

Figure(): Hydraulic Pipe Head (Unitracc, 2004)

Figure(): Hydraulic Winch (trenchless, 2017)