Pioneering Underground Technologies

Direct Pipe®
CORE PRODUCT S

Tunnelling

EPB Shield Pipeline installation in one step

Mixshield

Single Shield TBM ________________ With the unique Direct Pipe®

technology, Herrenknecht has opened up new
Double Shield TBM
possibilities for installing pipelines in every
Gripper TBM geology. This method combines the advantages
Partial-face Excavation Machine of microtunnelling and HDD technology. In one
step only, a prefabricated pipeline can be installed
AVN Machine
and the required borehole excavated at the same
Auger Boring Machines time. This allows speedy and highly economic
HDD Rig installation of pipelines with lengths of more than
1,500 meters. Unbeat able: Direct Pipe® excavates the
Direct Pipe borehole and installs the pipeline in one single

Vertical Shaft Sinking Machine step.

(VSM)

Mining

Exploration

ADDIT IONAL EQUIPMENT

PROJECT CONFIGURAT OR

Your contact person

Joachim Engelhardt
Head of Sales Support | Utility
Tunnelling

Phone +49 7824 302-6996

Engelhardt.Joachim@herrenknecht.com

00 Your Selected Files

Direct Pipe®
With Direct Pipe ® pipelines can be installed underneath rivers or other obstructions in just one step.
Direct Pipe® brochure
Two technologies cleverly combined
From the launch pit, the soil is excavated using a
slurry-supported Herrenknecht Microtunnelling
Machine (AVN). It pumps the excavated material
through a slurry circuit inside the prefabricated
pipeline, to a separation plant located
aboveground. The pipeline, which is laid out on
the surface on rollers and welded to the end of
the microtunnelling machine, is pushed into the
borehole at the same time as excavation takes
In all project s so far, this new method has place. The necessary thrust force is provided by
convinced our customers fully and beyond their the Pipe Thruster. It pushes the microtunnelling
expectations.
machine forward together with the pipeline – with
a thrust force of up to 750 tonnes in increments of
5 meters. The push force is transferred to the pipeline through the Pipe Thruster’s clamping
unit and then to the machine’s cutterhead. During excavation, the tunnel face can be
controlled consistently and safely using slurry-supported tunnelling technology even in
heterogeneous, water permeable soils. Uphill and downhill slopes, as well as curved drives
along the alignment, can be managed precisely by guidance systems (U.N.S.).

GEOLOGY & DIAMET ERS FUNCT IONALIT Y ADVANT AGES

Excavation
The excavation tools of the AVN Machine remove the soil

Borehole support
Hydraulic support using slurry suspension

Removal
Hydraulic slurry circuit through slurry pipes installed inside the pipeline

Thrust
Pipe Thruster advances the AVN Machine through the pipeline

Tunnel lining
Pipeline

+ The borehole is created and the pipeline inserted in one single, continuous step
+ Permanent support for the borehole
+ Very high installation speeds
+ Expensive shaft construction not required, close-tosurface launch and target pits sufficient
+ Direct installation of a prewelded and pre-inspected pipeline possible
+ Precise steering possible on upward and downward slopes and in curves

Minimum foot print, maximum efficiency

The foot print of the equipment at the launch and
 reception points is very small with the Direct Pipe®
method. Therefore, the technology can be
implemented even in densely populated
residential areas – simple, close-to-the-surface
launch and reception pits are sufficient. It is no
longer necessary to construct deep shafts. The
microtunnelling machine is recovered in segments
of approximately 3 meters in length after
excavation is finished. In a final step, the supply
and discharge lines are removed from the
pipeline. The crossing is complete and the
pipeline has been installed in one single step.

From t he launch pit , the soil is excavated

using a slurry-supported Herrenknecht
Microtunnelling Machine (AVN).

Attacking from one side only

With the Direct Pipe® method, the entire jobsite infrastructure, including the prefabricated
pipeline, is located on one side of the crossing. Therefore, the expenses for logistics and the
foot print requirements at the reception point are minimal. Hence, this technology is also ideal
for constructing so called sea outfalls (landfalls) – where the pipeline is installed directly from
the mainland out towards the open water. After reaching the planned distance, the machine is
retrieved from the sea floor or lake bed.

Unique combination
By developing the Direct Pipe® method, Herrenknecht has achieved a breakthrough in pipeline
installation. This combination of two already proven technologies has shown its value
particularly in its high installation speeds. At the same time, the environment remains largely
unaffected, mainly because the pipeline can be installed in one single step. Moreover, the
method can be used practically in any ground condition.

Direct Pipe

Products Core products T unnelling Direct Pipe

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