Contractor Perspective on Factors for Evaluating Installation Options for Small-Diameter Utilities
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 135, Issue 2
Abstract
Buried municipal infrastructure is rapidly expanding due to increased urbanization. Subsequently, engineers and contractors are faced with having to designate the most effective method of installing new buried infrastructure while being mindful of cost considerations. In order to determine the most feasible underground construction method, various risks and cost factors must be assessed and analyzed. A comprehensive survey was conducted to solicit input from 28 contractors in various geographical regions throughout the United States and Canada. The intent was to determine specific risk factors and their inherent impacts, as well as to better understand cost comparison between horizontal directional drilling and traditional open-cut construction methods. This paper is relevant to practitioners and researchers because it identifies and describes risks and cost factors from a contractor perspective that can be used for evaluating installation options for small diameter pipelines in an urban environment.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to express their appreciation to the various contractors who participated in the survey. Their input and insight were invaluable in completing this study.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 135 • Issue 2 • February 2009
Pages: 75 - 87
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Apr 25, 2007
Accepted: Jul 29, 2008
Published online: Feb 1, 2009
Published in print: Feb 2009
Authors
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