Understand The Horizontal Directional Boring Method, Its Benefits & Process

 Horizontal Directional Boring has become a better choice for individuals who are into construction projects and wants to install underground utilities. That is why the horizontal directional boring or HDD method is in demand in the current market.  More and more service providers in the industry are offering multiple HDD services. It is a trenchless method that has several benefits due to its process and technique. 

If you want to complete a project that involves tasks like installing underground utilities then it is better to know about the process and its benefits. It will help you get the best-suited HDD services according to your needs and preferences. 

In this blog, we are going to let you know about the horizontal directional boring method. We will mention all the benefits. It is important to know the process of HDD so that is why we will also explain the process. Also, we have mentioned how the HDD method was discovered.  

What does Horizontal Directional Boring mean? 

Horizontal Directional Boring which is also called Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a unique trenchless method of construction that is used for installing underground utilities underneath the surface. This method is highly preferred because it allows digging or drilling a piece of land without disrupting the surface level. This trenchless method is considered the most convenient form of installing underground utilities. In the process, the drill is launched from one end of the designed bore path and retrieved at the other hand. The entire operation takes place underground and does not require drilling the surface from above. Due to all these features Horizontal Directional Boring has become preferable and a better alternative.

How Horizontal Directional Boring was discovered? 

In the year 1929, H. John  Eastman developed magnetic single-shot and multi-shot instruments that could measure both the direction and inclination of a borehole. This began the era of controlled directional drilling by introducing a completely new technique. It was accurate and could be intentionally deviated. 

During the early 1960s, Martin Cherrington designed his own drill rig that was basic and lightweight. 

During the 1980s, Tensor developed a steering technology that opened a broad avenue for the application of horizontal directional boring from medium-sized to very large projects. 

So this is how the method of horizontal directional boring was discovered and through evolution, the technique has advanced in multiple aspects. 

 

Benefits of the HDD method

The horizontal directional boring method puts less impact on the environment. The trenchless method is useful in environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, estuaries, lakes, and rivers. 

The horizontal directional boring method is a less time-consuming process which makes it quick. The method is also highly accurate which enables operators to accomplish creditable accuracy even when the crossings are complicated. 

The trenchless method does not disrupt the surface level so that is why the recovery cost of the surface gets eliminated. As result, the expenses are reduced.  

Continuous monitoring and control during the operation allow HDD operators to navigate in constrained spaces between existing utility lines. 

At a greater depth, drilling can be carried out to bypass existing utilities altogether. It requires only one launching shaft at the entry point and one reception shaft at the exit point. 

The HDD process 

The horizontal directional boring method consists of two main stages and these are:

Drilling a pilot hole and back reaming.

Pulling back the pipeline through the hole. 

In the first stage, a pilot hole gets drilled by using a steerable guided drill along a planned path. The pilot hole is approximately 1 to 5 inches in diameter which is along the proposed centerline of pipe alignment. The second stage gets initiated when the drill string reaches the exit point. 

In the second stage, a reamer gets attached which is approximately the same size as the product pipe to the end of the drill string after removing the drill bit and pulling it back to the entry point. Before achieving the desired bore diameter, several passes may be required. 

After completing the job of the reamer, the pipe gets pulled back. During this time, the product pipe gets attached to the reamer and pulled through the borehole.

To achieve a maximum degree of accuracy, electronic monitoring of the drill path is carried out. 

Conclusion 

So you have got to know about the horizontal directional boring or we can horizontal directional drilling. You have got to know about the process and benefits of the trenchless method. So if you want to choose this method for installing underground utilities then consider getting services from a professional boring contractor.