Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) has been used internationally for the trenchless installation of utility conduits and other infrastructure. However, the mud loss problem caused by excessive mud pressure in the borehole is still a challenge encountered by trenchless designers and contractors, especially when the drilling crosses through cohesionless material. Investigation of mud loss problem is necessary to apply HDD with greater confidence for installation of pipes and other infrastructure. The main objectives of this research have been to investigate the maximum allowable mud pressure to prevent mud loss through finite element analysis and small scale and large scale laboratory experiments. The recent laboratory experiments on mud loss within sand are reported. Comparisons indicate that the finite element method provides an effective estimation of maximum mud pressure, and “state-of-the-art” design practice- the “Delft solution” overestimates the maximum mud pressure by more than 100%. The surface displacements exhibit a “bell” shape with the maximum surface displacement located around the center of the borehole based on the data interpreted using Particle Image Velocimetry (Geo-PIV) program. A parametric study is carried out to investigate the effect of various parameters such as the coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest K0 on the maximum allowable mud pressure within sand. An approximate equation is developed to facilitate design estimates of the maximum allowable mud pressure within sand. A new approach is introduced to consider the effects of coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest K0 on the blowout solution within clay. The evaluations using finite element method indicate that the new approach provides a better estimation of the maximum allowable mud pressure than the “Delft solution” in clay when initial ground stress state is anisotropic (K0 ≠1). Conclusion of this research and suggestions on future investigation are provided. / Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-01-14 12:23:35.069

published_or_final_version / Applied Geosciences / Master / Master of Science

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is used around the world when traditional open cut methods are not practical or impossible for installing pipelines. Maxi-sized drill rigs are the largest and most powerful directional drills and are more common in the field than ever before with over 5,000 rigs in operation world wide. The complexity of installations and the design associated with them continues to increase. This research has two main objectives. 1. Develop a real time data acquisition system for monitoring pullback forces on the product pipe; and, 2. Compare data gathered using maxi-sized drill rigs with current modelling methods using BoreAid. The first portion of the research, as listed above, required attaching multiple pressure transducers to the drilling display panel in an American Auger DD-1100 drill rig and recording, in real time, the carriage, rotation, and mud pressure as seen by the operator. This research also describes the various challenges and issues associated with developing real time in-the-bore data acquisition processes. Finally, future recommendations for further development of the in-the-bore data acquisition are discussed. The second portion of this research describes how the gathered data was processed into a workable data set. The field data was then compared to theoretical models by using the drill assistant tool BoreAid. The results of this comparison show that these models are appropriate for all size drill rigs, although some limitations are present.

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is used around the world when traditional open cut methods are not practical or impossible for installing pipelines. Maxi-sized drill rigs are the largest and most powerful directional drills and are more common in the field than ever before with over 5,000 rigs in operation world wide. The complexity of installations and the design associated with them continues to increase. This research has two main objectives. 1. Develop a real time data acquisition system for monitoring pullback forces on the product pipe; and, 2. Compare data gathered using maxi-sized drill rigs with current modelling methods using BoreAid. The first portion of the research, as listed above, required attaching multiple pressure transducers to the drilling display panel in an American Auger DD-1100 drill rig and recording, in real time, the carriage, rotation, and mud pressure as seen by the operator. This research also describes the various challenges and issues associated with developing real time in-the-bore data acquisition processes. Finally, future recommendations for further development of the in-the-bore data acquisition are discussed. The second portion of this research describes how the gathered data was processed into a workable data set. The field data was then compared to theoretical models by using the drill assistant tool BoreAid. The results of this comparison show that these models are appropriate for all size drill rigs, although some limitations are present.

Horizontal directional drilling is increasingly used to install pipes without costs and disruptions associated with conventional ‘cut and cover’ installations. This technique, which was developed by industrial innovators, feature complex soil and pipe response which is not well understood. The success of this operation depends on knowledge of the pulling forces applied, level of ground disturbance, ground expansion or fracture from mud pressure, and the effect of the pulling operation on the pipes. Tensile stresses in the pipe vary with time during and after installation, and along the pipe. This applies especially to polymer pipes where the stresses during insertion and those over the service life of the pipe may influence its performance. The main objective of this study is to model the short term and long term response of pipes installed using horizontal directional drilling and to investigate the effect of the time dependent behaviour of polymer pipes, as well as other installation variables on the performance of the pipe during and after installation. The mechanical behaviour of high density polyethylene used to manufacture a significant portion of pipes installed using horizontal directional drilling is investigated and two sophisticated constitutive models are developed to simulate the time-dependent behaviour of high density polyethylene. The interaction between the pipe and the surrounding soil during horizontal directional drilling installations is also investigated and modelled. A FORTRAN algorithm is developed to calculate the short and long term response of elastic and polymeric pipes installed using horizontal directional drilling. The program uses the HDPE constitutive models as well as the pipe-soil interaction model developed in the study. After evaluation, the developed program is employed in a parametric study on the sensitivity of short term and long term pipe response to different parameters, including the effect of overstressing the pipe during installation. As Multiaxial modeling is necessary for accurate analysis of some applications including the swagelining method, a uniaxial constitutive model developed in the current study is generalized to a multi-axial model that can simulate the response to biaxial stress-strain fields. The multi-axial model is implemented in a finite element code and its performance in simulating multiaxial stress-strain fields is evaluated. / Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2008-06-12 18:03:43.501

abstract: As a developing nation, China is currently faced with the challenge of providing safe, reliable and adequate energy resources to the county's growing urban areas as well as to its expanding rural populations. To meet this demand, the country has initiated massive construction projects to expand its national energy infrastructure, particularly in the form of natural gas pipeline. The most notable of these projects is the ongoing West-East Gas Pipeline Project. This project is currently in its third phase, which will supply clean and efficient natural gas to nearly sixty million users located in the densely populated Yangtze River Delta. Trenchless Technologies, in particular the construction method of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), have played a critical role in executing this project by providing economical, practical and environmentally responsible ways to install buried pipeline systems. HDD has proven to be the most popular method selected to overcome challenges along the path of the pipeline, which include mountainous terrain, extensive farmland and numerous bodies of water. The Yangtze River, among other large-scale water bodies, have proven to be the most difficult obstacle for the pipeline installation as it widens and changes course numerous times along its path to the East China Sea. The purpose of this study is to examine those practices being used in China in order to compare those to those long used practices in the North American in order to understand the advantages of Chinese advancements. Developing countries would benefit from the Chinese advancements for large-scale HDD installation. In developed areas, such as North America, studying Chinese execution may allow for new ideas to help to improve long established methods. These factors combined further solidify China's role as the global leader in trenchless technology methods and provide the opportunity for Chinese HDD contractors to contribute to the world's knowledge for best practices of the Horizontal Directional Drilling method. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil Engineering 2014

O presente trabalho está focado no método de perfuração direcional horizontal (HDD) para instalação de redes de esgoto gravitacional. Descrevem-se os resultados de diferentes técnicas com o objetivo de se atingir a exigência de declividade. Para tanto foram executados 4 furos experimentais simulando trechos daquelas redes, com extensão de 30 m e tubulação de PEAD com diâmetro externo de 125 mm. Estas instalações foram executadas na cidade de São Carlos, Brasil, em um solo classificado granulometricamente como uma areia argilosa. Para cada uma das 4 instalações, adotou-se um processo construtivo diferenciado. Esta diferenciação se deu a partir do diâmetro do alargador adotado, do número de passadas do mesmo e da execução de furos verticais para alívio de pressão no espaço anelar assim como medidas diretas de profundidade do furo piloto. Após a instalação dos dutos foram realizadas medidas altimétricas no interior dos mesmos possibilitando avaliar quantitativamente os resultados obtidos. Estes resultados indicam que ainda é necessário refinar a técnica de perfuração direcional para a execução das redes de esgoto. Entretanto é possível observar que as variações empregadas na execução de cada um dos furos conduzem a um caminho de melhoria nos resultados obtidos. Esta melhoria pode ser observada nos furos onde o alargador adotado apresentava menor diâmetro conduzindo a menores desvios na posição final do duto. Salientam-se também os benéficos resultados da execução dos furos verticais que conduziram a menores pressões no espaço anelar assim como possibilitaram medidas altimétricas diretas da posição do furo piloto. Desta forma, é provável que com um maior número de experimentos e incrementos tecnológicos se atinja o objetivo final, ou seja, executar redes de esgoto gravitacional com declividade constante e baixa. Em paralelo nas instalações executadas foram realizados testes para avaliação da precisão e acurácia do sistema de navegação responsável pelo fornecimento de informações de posição e temperatura da ferramenta de corte durante a execução do furo piloto. Este trabalho contempla ainda, a elaboração de uma nova solução para as instalações de esgoto executadas através do HDD. Esta solução propõe a aplicação de um esforço de tração a um elemento externo, uma geogrelha que envolve a tubulação, visando posicionar a mesma em declividade constante. Face a seu caráter inovador foram desenvolvidos equipamentos e procedimentos de ensaio de laboratório, para avaliar a aplicabilidade da solução na prática / The present work is focused on the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) method to install gravity sewers. The results of different techniques are described intending to meet the demands of gradient. Therefore, 4 experimental pilot bores were drilled simulating a section of those structures extending 30 m with HDPE pipelines of 125 mm external diameter. Those installations were engineered in the city of São Carlos, Brazil, in a clayey sand. For each of the 4 installations a distinct constructive process was adopted. Such characteristic was on account of the diameter of the selected reamer, the number of reamer steps and the vertical drills performed to relieve the pressure in the annular space, as well as the direct depth measurements of the pilot hole. After installing the pipes, altimetric measurements were performed inside them, hence enabling to quantitatively assess the obtained results. These results indicate the need to further refine the directional drilling technique for sanitary sewers. Yet it can be seen that the employed variations for each of the holes lead to an improved course of action with the observed results. Such improvement is perceived in the holes where the selected reamer had a smaller diameter, hence allowing for less displacement in the pipes final position. Also emphasized are the resulting benefits of the vertical drills that lead to less pressure in the annular space, as well as enabling altimetric measurements of the pilot hole position. Thus, it is presumed that with further experiments and technological developments the final objective is reached, meaning, putting into effect constant and low level gradient sewer networks. Tests for precision and accuracy assessment of the tracking system were also performed in each tube installed. The tracking system is responsible for providing information related to position and temperature of the drill head during the drilling operation. The steps for the development of a new HDD solution for sewer installation are presented. The idea is based on the application of a tensile force to an element external to the product, aiming at attaining a constant gradient. Equipments and procedures developed for this new technique are described.

The damaging impact of continuous utility cuts on flexible pavement performance has been shown to be a major problem for urban roads and pavement mangers due to high reconstruction and maintenance costs. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a trenchless construction method that does not require continuous trenching. HDD pipe installation techniques can reduce reinstatement costs, shorten construction periods, and lower social costs due to reduced user traffic delays. In this thesis, a detailed field study and numerical investigations was completed to quantify pavement deterioration and polyethylene (PE) pipe performance when pipelines are installed under flexible pavements using both traditional open-cut and HDD construction methods. Two 200mm SDR-17 DIPS HDPE pipes were installed 1.5m below a flexible pavement using open-cut and HDD construction technique. A state-of-the-art instrumentation and data acquisition systems were developed to measure HDD drill rig, PE pipes and pavement responses during pipe installations and for a period of about three years afterwards. Field data from (GPR) surveys, falling weight deflectometer (FWD) tests, surface distress surveys, and ground surface elevation survey were used to evaluate pavement deterioration due to the pipeline installations. The mechanisms of ground deformations during HDD and open-cut pipe installation were numerically investigated with FLAC3D, a commercial finite difference program. A hybrid constitutive model consisting of the traditional Duncan-Chang hyperbolic model and Mohr-Coulomb perfectly plastic model was developed and implemented in FLAC3D to simulate the non-linear stress-strain and stress dependent behavior of granular materials. Field test results show that the HDD installed pipe have significantly lower construction induced strains and ring deflections when compared to the open cut-and-cover installation and the mechanism of pipe deformation differs for the two construction techniques. The two pipes performed satisfactory over the long-term monitoring period as deflections and strain levels were below acceptable limits and there was no apparent deterioration of the pipe. Pipe deflections resulting from environmental effects (freeze and thaw) were found to be more significant than those due to material creep. Furthermore, the modified Iowa’s and Plastic Pipe Institute’s (PPI) ring deflection equations were found to over estimate pipe deflection for the open-cut and HDD installed pipes by about 114 and 50 percent, respectively. Results from field tests found that the HDD installation did not results in any observable change in the condition of the pavement structure performance, while the structure and integrity of pavement section in the vicinity of the open-cut was adversely impacted by utility cut excavation. It was determined numerically that when an unsupported excavation is created within a typical flexible pavement structure, distress zones that extend laterally from the face of the excavation to a distance of approximately 80% of the depth of excavation is developed. The results of the analyses suggests that better restoration techniques are required to eliminate the adverse effect caused by the stress relief within the pavement structure during a utility cut. Furthermore, the area of potential pavement deterioration should be extended beyond the edge of the utility cut to encompass the ‘distress zones’ when determining fees to cover pavement damage and restoration costs. Results obtained from numerical simulations advanced the understanding of the mechanism, magnitude, and extent of deformation within the pavement structure during HDD pipe installation in frictional and cohesive subgrade soils. Relationship between HDD annular bore pressures and displacements have been incorporated into design Charts and Tables for use in estimating maximum allowable bore pressures for HDD installation beneath flexible pavements. Critical bore pressures that would limit ground deformations and prevent excessive pavement deformations are presented. Critical bore pressures were compared to estimated allowable bore pressures obtained from the widely used Delft Geotechnics equation. The Delft Geotechnics equation was found to over estimate allowable bore pressure for HDD installation beneath flexible pavement. HDD pipeline installations under flexible pavement were found to have significantly lower restoration costs, social costs and maintenance cost than open-cut pipeline installations.

The damaging impact of continuous utility cuts on flexible pavement performance has been shown to be a major problem for urban roads and pavement mangers due to high reconstruction and maintenance costs. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a trenchless construction method that does not require continuous trenching. HDD pipe installation techniques can reduce reinstatement costs, shorten construction periods, and lower social costs due to reduced user traffic delays. In this thesis, a detailed field study and numerical investigations was completed to quantify pavement deterioration and polyethylene (PE) pipe performance when pipelines are installed under flexible pavements using both traditional open-cut and HDD construction methods. Two 200mm SDR-17 DIPS HDPE pipes were installed 1.5m below a flexible pavement using open-cut and HDD construction technique. A state-of-the-art instrumentation and data acquisition systems were developed to measure HDD drill rig, PE pipes and pavement responses during pipe installations and for a period of about three years afterwards. Field data from (GPR) surveys, falling weight deflectometer (FWD) tests, surface distress surveys, and ground surface elevation survey were used to evaluate pavement deterioration due to the pipeline installations. The mechanisms of ground deformations during HDD and open-cut pipe installation were numerically investigated with FLAC3D, a commercial finite difference program. A hybrid constitutive model consisting of the traditional Duncan-Chang hyperbolic model and Mohr-Coulomb perfectly plastic model was developed and implemented in FLAC3D to simulate the non-linear stress-strain and stress dependent behavior of granular materials. Field test results show that the HDD installed pipe have significantly lower construction induced strains and ring deflections when compared to the open cut-and-cover installation and the mechanism of pipe deformation differs for the two construction techniques. The two pipes performed satisfactory over the long-term monitoring period as deflections and strain levels were below acceptable limits and there was no apparent deterioration of the pipe. Pipe deflections resulting from environmental effects (freeze and thaw) were found to be more significant than those due to material creep. Furthermore, the modified Iowa’s and Plastic Pipe Institute’s (PPI) ring deflection equations were found to over estimate pipe deflection for the open-cut and HDD installed pipes by about 114 and 50 percent, respectively. Results from field tests found that the HDD installation did not results in any observable change in the condition of the pavement structure performance, while the structure and integrity of pavement section in the vicinity of the open-cut was adversely impacted by utility cut excavation. It was determined numerically that when an unsupported excavation is created within a typical flexible pavement structure, distress zones that extend laterally from the face of the excavation to a distance of approximately 80% of the depth of excavation is developed. The results of the analyses suggests that better restoration techniques are required to eliminate the adverse effect caused by the stress relief within the pavement structure during a utility cut. Furthermore, the area of potential pavement deterioration should be extended beyond the edge of the utility cut to encompass the ‘distress zones’ when determining fees to cover pavement damage and restoration costs. Results obtained from numerical simulations advanced the understanding of the mechanism, magnitude, and extent of deformation within the pavement structure during HDD pipe installation in frictional and cohesive subgrade soils. Relationship between HDD annular bore pressures and displacements have been incorporated into design Charts and Tables for use in estimating maximum allowable bore pressures for HDD installation beneath flexible pavements. Critical bore pressures that would limit ground deformations and prevent excessive pavement deformations are presented. Critical bore pressures were compared to estimated allowable bore pressures obtained from the widely used Delft Geotechnics equation. The Delft Geotechnics equation was found to over estimate allowable bore pressure for HDD installation beneath flexible pavement. HDD pipeline installations under flexible pavement were found to have significantly lower restoration costs, social costs and maintenance cost than open-cut pipeline installations.

The studies conducted on hole cleaning have been started with single phase drilling fluids for vertical holes in 1930&rsquo / s, and have reached to multiphase drilling fluids for directional and horizontal wells today. The influence of flow rate and hole inclination on cuttings transport has been well understood, and many studies have been conducted on effective hole cleaning either experimentally or theoretically. However, neither the hydraulic behavior nor the hole cleaning mechanism of gasified drilling fluids has been properly understood. The aims of this study are to investigate and analyze the hole cleaning performance of gasified drilling fluids in horizontal, directional and vertical wells experimentally, to identify the drilling parameters those have the major influence on cuttings transport, to define the flow pattern types and boundaries as well as to observe the behavior of cuttings in detail by using digital image processing techniques, and to develop a mechanistic model based on the fundamental principles of physics and mathematics with the help of the experimental observations. A mechanistic model is developed with the help of the obtained experimental data. Developed model is used for estimating optimum flow rates for liquid and gas phases for effective cuttings transport as well as for determining the total pressure losses and void fraction of each phase for a given drilling conditions. The v mechanistic model obtained using the experimental data within the scope of this study will be used to develop the hydraulic program and equipment selection to be used in the field during underbalanced drilling applications.