In the past decade, the field of trenchless technology has expanded rapidly in products, equipment, and utilization. This expansion would not have occurred without a strong increase ineconomic incentives to the user. Because theoperating environment has changed, trenchless technology is often the preferred alternative to traditional methods of digging holes and installing conduits. The infrastructure in which we live has become more congested and has to beshared by several users. In addition, the cost of restoring a road or landscaped area after construction may be higher than the cost of installing the conduit. These factors add to the need for trenchless technology-the ability to dig holes without disturbing the surface. In some ways, trenchless technology is a futuristic concept. Ruth Krauss in a children'sbookofdefinitions wrote,"AHole...Is to Dig." But thisstatement is not necessarily true. Today, a hole could be to bore. Trenchless technology is not new. But it certainly has become the buzzword of the construction industry and it appears that it will have a growing impact in the way contractors, utilities, and others install new facilities. Methods to bore horizontal holes were practiced as early as the 18005, but this technology has greatly changed. Today's tools include sophisticated drilling methods, state-of the-art power systems, and electronic guidance techniques. These tools can bore faster, safer, and more accurately, and in many instances more economically, than open-cllt methods. Technology has played an important role in these advances, but economics has become the driving force in making these systems popular."

In the past decade, the field of trenchless technology has expanded rapidly in products, equipment, and utilization. This expansion would not have occurred without a strong increase ineconomic incentives to the user. Because theoperating environment has changed, trenchless technology is often the preferred alternative to traditional methods of digging holes and installing conduits. The infrastructure in which we live has become more congested and has to beshared by several users. In addition, the cost of restoring a road or landscaped area after construction may be higher than the cost of installing the conduit. These factors add to the need for trenchless technology-the ability to dig holes without disturbing the surface. In some ways, trenchless technology is a futuristic concept. Ruth Krauss in a children'sbookofdefinitions wrote,"AHole...Is to Dig." But thisstatement is not necessarily true. Today, a hole could be to bore. Trenchless technology is not new. But it certainly has become the buzzword of the construction industry and it appears that it will have a growing impact in the way contractors, utilities, and others install new facilities. Methods to bore horizontal holes were practiced as early as the 18005, but this technology has greatly changed. Today's tools include sophisticated drilling methods, state-of the-art power systems, and electronic guidance techniques. These tools can bore faster, safer, and more accurately, and in many instances more economically, than open-cllt methods. Technology has played an important role in these advances, but economics has become the driving force in making these systems popular.

This is the first broad-based guide to the increasingly important subject of trenchless technology - the wide array of processes and techniques for digging holes and rehabilitating conduits without disturbing the ground surface. Trenchless technology has become an effective and economic alternative to open-cut construction. Cities and communities can no longer afford to disrupt traffic or disturb the public. Nor can they afford the high costs of restoration that result from traditional methods. An Introduction to Trenchless Technology provides you with a sound understanding of what this technology is, how it works, and what benefits it offers. This first-of-its-kind resource gathers information on the latest techniques and equipment used in guided boring, pipe jacking, microtunnelling, auger boring, horizontal directional drilling, on-line replacement, and renovation. Clear guidelines not only help you decide how and where to apply trenchless methods, but also demonstrate the strong economic advantages they offer. The book's unique classification system and easy-to-understand descriptions explain each method in detail. Also, a special chapter on job planning shows you critical factors to evaluate when using the technology. Throughout the book, case histories offer valuable insights on how trenchless technologies actually work.