Overview
Pipe bursting or pipe cracking is a well-established trenchless method that is widely used for the replacement of existing and deteriorated pipe with a new pipe of same or larger diameter. Pipe bursting is quite different to insitu lining of pipelines in that it allows for the installation of a brand new, factory manufactured pipe.
Pipe bursting involves the insertion of a conically shaped bursting head into the existing pipe to shatter the existing pipe and displace its fragments into the surrounding soil by pneumatic or hydraulic action. A new pipe is simultaneously pulled behind the bursting head. The new pipe and bursting head are launched from an entry pit, and the cable or pulling rod is pulled from a pulling shaft or exit pit. It is also possible to launch and exit via existing structures such as manholes thereby reducing the extent of excavation required.
Project Sheets
Applications & Benefits
There are two main methods of pipe bursting which are hydraulic or pneumatic. Hydraulic equipment is primarily used for water pipeline renewals whereas Pneumatic equipment is primarily suited to sewer pipeline renewals.
Pipebursting can be applied where the host pipe is made of cast iron, clay, concrete, PVC, Asbestos Cement, or even previously lined pipes. In sewer applications, the length of a run is typically from manhole to manhole or even through man holes, depending on the specific application. For water mains, the length of run is typically determined by the distance between hydrants, tees or valve locations.
Downer PipeTech have a wide inventory of pneumatic and hydraulic pipebursting equipment along with experienced crews operating throughout Australia. We continue to upgrade and expand the fleet of Pipe bursting equipment and have recently taken delivery of a 200 ton cable pipe bursting / lining rig which allows us to deliver larger diameter and longer length projects. We are now able to deliver pipebursting projects ranging in size from 100mm up to 1200mm.