Did you know that directional boring, also known as Horizontal Directional Drilling ( HDD), is a method of installing ducts and pipes in areas with obstacles such as roads? The process is complex and with many challenges, and it takes time and effort to create a boring plan. Luckily, drill manufacturers have developed time-saving bore planning software tools to minimize risks. The user-friendly software provides relevant information to help contractors navigate easily during the drilling process, as elaborated in this video.
Find out the existing utilities on the job site before creating a proposed bore plan. Essentially, you should obtain sufficient information from the potential client to establish the exact requirements for the work. Also, it’s crucial for contractors to take a complete site survey. A ground-penetrating radar scan helps to determine the depth of the utilities.
The next step is establishing the required route by calculating the depth, setback, distance, rise over the drill line, and bend radius. These metrics help the drillers have a straight bore for an easy pullback. Therefore, it’s imperative that you understand the percentage pitch per rod, HDD tools, and ground conditions. Contractors usually calculate simple directional boring plans on graph paper using information like existing utilities, job site parameters, and specifications. Lastly, ensure the bore path entry and exit have sufficient size and depth to install pipe and contain drill fluids.
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