Minidirectional Drilling for Installation of Underground Electrical Conduit
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 121, Issue 4
Abstract
The Salt River Project (SRP), located in Phoenix, Ariz., uses two different construction techniques to install conduit for new underground electrical systems in the Phoenix metropolitan area: open-trench cutting by conventional backhoes or wheel trenchers, and trenchless excavation techniques with minidirectional drilling machines and trenchless technology. This paper presents the results of research conducted to determine the comparative installation costs of conduit for SRP's underground electrical distribution, comparing the cost of conventional open trenching with minidirectional drilling. The study compared cost information that will aid SRP designers in optimizing the selection of site-specific underground electrical-conduit placement techniques. The research considered economies of scale, terrain, soil types, materials, and various common configurations of electrical conduit systems. In the years ahead, utility companies around the country may investigate the feasibility of minidirectional drilling to replace open trenching, especially in congested areas where the maintenance of good public relations is important. The analysis presented in this paper may provide a basis of comparison for other utility companies.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Handy-Whitman Construction Cost Indices. (1993). The WESA Group Electric Utility Cost Services, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
2.
Iseley, T., and Trnwani, R. (1990). “Social costs of traditional methods of utility installation.”Proc., 1st Trenchless Excavation Ctr. Symp. —Louisiana Tech Univ., Houston, Tex., AA1–AA7.
3.
Material system. [computer program] (1980). Salt River Proj., Phoenix, Ariz.
4.
Sergent, Hauskins and Beckwith. (1986). “Generalized subsurface profile map for the Salt River Project 69kv transmission line service area.”SRP Drawing A-191-259A, Phoenix, Ariz.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Dec 1, 1995
Published in print: Dec 1995
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.