Directional drilling is a steerable ‘trenchless‘ method of placing underground pipes and conduits for utility and telecommunication cables (etc.) with minimal impact on the environment. It can also be called ‘directional boring‘, ‘bi directional drilling‘, ‘horizontal directional drilling‘ or ‘HDD‘.
It is used when digging trenches or when other ground excavation is not possible and is ideal for laying pipes or cables spanning roads, motorways and rivers. Additionally, HDD is used where digging extensive trenches is not desirable, for example through a park or garden as it offers minimal environmental impact.
Directional Drilling Overview
For the installation of pipes and ducts (usually made of polyethylene) where some amount of deviation may be required to avoid underground obstructions. As the name suggests, HDD makes it possible to steer the bore underground.
Applications
- Where long distances are involved
- Where gradients are not too critical (although falls of 1:50 are achievable in good ground conditions)
- Where large lead trenches are impractical
Extent
- Pipes and ducts from 25-500mm
- Distances up to 200 metres
All Services
Vermeer Drills
We own and operate Vermeer Directional Drilling Machines as we believe these are the best directional drilling machines in the world.
Their strength and reliability have enabled us to successfully complete many crossings where other contractors had either advised that the ground was undrillable or had failed to complete.
Our first Vermeer D24x40a was purchased new in 1998 and although now in semi-retirement is still brought out to undertake some specialist jobs.
