A no-dig storm water pipe scheme has been successfully completed in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

The scheme was delivered on the site of a new large community housing development.

Olney-based drilling and boring specialists, Chiltern Thrust Bore undertook a 23 metres pipe-jacking drive for a construction and ground works company as part of the in-line flood management programme of works.

The 23 metres crossing could not be undertaken by conventional open-cut method as overhead power lines prohibited the use of ground excavation equipment.

FP McCann's DN450mm precast concrete jacking pipe was installed using Chiltern Thrust Bore's guided auger boring trenchless technology, typically utilised in deep pipeline drives. 

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Trenchless work is far less intrusive than the traditional open-cut method of pipe laying and is particularly suited to areas where utilities, water courses or transport infrastructure has to be crossed. From the construction of a five-metre deep shuttered drive and reception shaft, to the piloting of the tunnel and main auger drive, the scheme was completed on time and within budget.

Dave Croot, Project Manager for Chiltern Thrust Bore said: "Despite the short distance and relatively small diameter, adverse ground conditions resulted in extremely high pressures being encountered during the pilot process. Our experience resulted in us carrying out modifications to both the cutting head and the augers cases to ensure a successful installation. Despite these alterations, jacking forces reached around 100 tonnes; FP McCann's concrete jacking pipes were more than capable of withstanding the excessive pressure. The crossing was completed successfully and within programme."

(CM/MH)