HDD
Underground construction enters the virtual reality universe
(UI) — The Super Witch is incredibly popular, and at CONEXPO, the Metaverse offered a chance for people to put on the VR headset, pick up the corresponding hand controllers, and find themselves inside the cab.
Let your fluid cleaning system be the hero
(UI) — The role of drilling fluid on an HDD jobsite is a big one. It acts as a conveyor for removing solids from the bore hole, lubricates downhole tooling, cools electronics and stabilizes the hole. Keeping it clean and usable is an important job, and an essential one for contractors to stay profitable.
Islamorada Transmission Main Replacement Project reaches halfway mark two months ahead of schedule
In April 2023, crews began installing the new, cathodically protected transmission main via open-cut trench installation along US 1. Additionally, 900 feet of new transmission main has also been installed underwater at Tea Table Relief bridge crossing via horizontal directional drill (HDD), to protect it from high winds and storm surges.
Ditch Witch, Heavy Equipment Colleges of America to boost workforce development with new HDD training
Course materials cover everything from proper PPE and jobsite preparation to the importance of traffic control and equipment inspection procedures. Participants will receive hands-on training in mud mixing and drilling, along with HDD tracking and locating.
Despite challenges, HDD market continues impressive growth
(UI) — The 25th Annual Underground Infrastructure HDD Survey provides insight into the complex, yet generally lucrative, world of directional boring. Indeed, HDD is a technology that continues to expand to even further heights. It has clearly demonstrated how the introduction and development of this disruptive technology forever changed the face of utility and pipeline construction.
B&B Underground and Drilling tackles reclaimed water project
(UI) — While many HDD companies perform strictly small-diameter fiber work, those focused on larger water and sewer utility work are specialty companies. Building a team for the task can be more challenging, too. That’s why B&B Underground and Drilling emphasizes the importance of training.
Editor’s Log: A fiber road paved by HDD
(UI) — By the late ‘90s, fiber backbone construction was marching across the land like Sherman to Atlanta. It was the early version of cryptocurrency – every investor was going to become a multi-millionaire overnight. The market for directional drills hit unprecedented – and unrealistic – highs. HDD was the perfect technology to aid the expansion of fiber installation, along with trenching and plowing. It was the telecom version of the early 1980s oil boom.
Jacobs wraps up underground infrastructure for US wave energy test facility offshore Oregon
(UI) — All the conduits for this project were installed using horizontal directional drilling (HDD) techniques. The HDD technique was chosen because it didn't harm delicate wetlands and seashore regions and because it allowed the job to be done all year round, according to Jacobs.
Jacobs completes underground infrastructure engineering for first full-scale wave energy testing facility in U.S.
The project includes four offshore steel conduits up to 120 feet below the seafloor and extending a mile offshore, connecting to a bundle of five onshore high-density polyethylene (HDPE) conduits, all installed using horizontal directional drilling (HDD) methods and ultimately connecting to PacWave’s Utility Connection and Monitoring Facility.
HDD Association to hold free mud training school
(UI) — The recently formed Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) will hold its first industry training session on May 18 at the Doubletree Hotel adjacent to Love Field in Dallas.
Fiber Broadband Association digs into microtrenching’s ability to close the digital equity gap
(UI) — The new Fiber Broadband Association white paper explores multiple fiber deployment styles, including microtrenching, horizontal directional drilling, plowing, conventional trenching, and missile boring.
HDD Association hosts complimentary mud training school
(UI) — The business meeting will begin at 9 a.m., on May 18, with an introduction as to the purpose and direction of the association. All utility and pipeline professionals with core or related HDD business are encouraged to attend. The program will be complimentary to HDD personnel.
Rewiring Florida’s Intracoastal Movable Bridges Via HDD
(UI) — The Florida Department of Transportation operates and maintains 51 movable bridges throughout the state’s eastern and western intracoastal areas. And in many popular tourist destinations, city municipalities operate many more. These moveable bridges are critical for boat traffic and over-the-road vehicles.
Subsite expands Marksman with HDD guidance system to streamline operator experience
(UI) — To streamline and simplify HDD guidance for operators completing shallow bore projects, Subsite has introduced The Marksman. It features single-button calibration, minimizing the risk of human error and speeding up the preparation process. Six frequency options and simplified features make the Marksman ideal for completing shallow bores for service installation, enabling operators to quickly move from one jobsite to the next.
Three Tips to Help HDD Professionals Select the Correct Frequency to Avoid Interference
And as our world continues to modernize, it is crucial that underground construction crews know how to navigate the complicated network of buried utilities.
Infinity Reamer Features Field-Replaceable Cutters
Infinity Tool MFG has introduced a PDC (polycrystalline diamond compact) horizontal directional drilling rock reamer with cutters that can be replaced in the field.
HDD Hall of Famers Helped Shape Modern Industry
John Hair and Frank Canon might have grown up on different sides of the HDD track, but they both made pioneering contributions to the future of the industry using specialized knowledge as a primary tool.
Michels Completes Over 15,000-foot HDD Crossing
Michels completes a 15,426-foot HDD project in North Dakota.
Making Difficult HDD Intersect Bores Practical
The North Houston Machine developed an HDD locking swivel that makes the process simpler and lasts longer.
Michels Canada Completes Canada’s Longest HDD Installation
Michels Canada completed its longest HDD project that extended 3,540 meters in Ontario.
Bob Westphal and Ron Halderman Inducted to the HDD Hall of Fame
Bob Westphal and Ron Halderman were inducted into the HDD Hall of Fame at the UCT Conference.
Subsite Introduces Powerful, Diverse HDD Guidance System
Subsite Electronics designed The Marksman, a new horizontal directional drilling (HDD) guidance device specialized for high electrical frequency areas.
Vermeer Acquires Electric Directional Drill and Fluid Management Technology
Vermeer will now provide electric-powered horizontal directional drilling and fluid systems technology.
Intersect HDD Gets Better with Experience
Although not uncommon, an "intersect" project is complex but gets better the more experience contractors have with completing these projects.
Vacuum Excavator Market Surges with Enhanced Capabilities
A in-depth look at some of the newest technology for vacuum excavators.
Vermeer Introduces New Reclaimer for Large-Diameter Pipe HDD Projects
Vermeer has launched a new reclaimer designed for HDD projects with large-diameter pipes.
Study Predicts $52 Billion in Water Utility Trenchless Technology Investments over Next Decade
A new study by Bluefield Research expects the economic recession combined with aging water infrastructure across the country will spur over $50 billion in trenchless technology investments.
Fiber Project Pushes Through Difficult Ground Conditions, Environmental Challenges
On its own merit, a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) shot spanning more than five football fields long is a substantial task. But when you add in both volcanic and clay ground conditions, a tight deadline and an environmentally protected job site, it becomes all the more challenging.
Gardner Denver’s GD 250HDD Pump Enters Horizontal Directional Drilling Market
Gardner Denver has released a new pump to target the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) market.
Unique Intersect Bore Features Surface Tie-In
A recent HDD project in Texas installed an intersect connection for an HDD project on the surface of the water in Corpus Christi Bay.
- Tackle turnover with training
- Beyond drilling: Total Boring's commitment to excellence
- Directional drilling: HDD Hall of Fame Class of ’24 announced
- New permitting provisions in budget bill slight natural gas industry
- Biden restores states' and tribes' authority over waterways, including gas pipelines
- Editor's log: Liberty in retreat
- Geotechnical Conditions And How They Relate To Pipe Bursting
- Five Factors To Consider Before Selecting A Crawler Or Wheel Excavator
- Two Cities Add HDPE for Reliable Water Infrastructure
- Caltech research reveals underground fiber optic cables as effective earthquake detectors