Trenchless renovation & installation of municipal pipelines in China using PE pipes

Session 5A
11:40

Wang Zhiwei, Chinaust Plastics Corp. Ltd.

The availability of high quality PE100 polyethylene pipe in China has lead to a rapid growth in the use of trenchless technology for the renovation and installation of Municipal pipelines. This paper describes a number of examples of trenchless technology projects using PE pipe including the long distance directional drilling for a water pipeline installation and several projects where PE pipe has been used to renovate old concrete and iron pipelines. The importance of polyethylene pipe quality, characteristics and specification will be highlighted together with the need to maintain high quality jointing and engineering practices for successful trenchless projects.

In many cities in China, the recent increase in industrial activity has lead to a renewed burst of urban development. In these already very congested cities this has accelerated problems such as energy and water shortages and created environmental pollution. In these conditions the possibility to upgrade and renew the old pipe network using trenchless construction techniques has proved to be extremely attractive. Many projects have already been carried out that have clearly demonstrated the benefits of the technology in gas and water supply and wastewater collection which will lead to considerable growth in this industry in China in the future.

Renovation by close fit insertion using “C-shaped” PE pipes
Renovation of a concrete water main using close fit insertion using “U-shaped” PE pipes
Directional drilling using PE pipes
1. Gas pipe project
2. PE water pipe project
Important performance considerations in trenchless installations
Some other important technical considerations for trenchless installation