Bennett Associates has an international reputation for
Mechanical and Structural Engineering Design across virtually all disciplines
and industries.
A further area of expertise is in the design of horizontal
directional drilling rigs. The one pictured opposite, seen here at the 1994 "NO
DIG" Exhibition where it was the centre of attraction, was designed for Stockton
of Wakefield.
As always Bennett Associates' engineers worked in close
conjunction with the Client to ensure their full requirements were met.
The initial brief was to produce a design for a rig which could
pull at 100 tonnes and be capable of handling pipelines up to 0.9 metres
diameter and 1000 metres in length at depths up to 30 metres.
Horizontal directional drilling is a technique developed from
oilfield technology and enables pipelines to be installed beneath canals,
rivers, railways, roads and environmentally sensitive areas without the
necessity for unsightly and expensive excavating or trenching work.
The rig first drills a pilot hole along the prescribed route.
Reaming tools, the size of which are increased for each pass until the required
diameter is achieved, are then passed through the hole. Bentonite Mud is pumped
to the reaming tool creating a "caked" lining. This keeps the hole open, and
reduces friction during the pipe pulling operation.
|
