Cost Comparison of Pipeline Asset Replacement: Open-Cut and Pipe-Bursting

The costs of trenchless projects can vary widely with many factors such as the project size, length, depth, location, surface and subsurface conditions, type of application, etc. Although there have been several studies regarding the cost comparison of trenchless with open-cut methods, practical examples of verifying the reasonableness of actual trenchless construction/replacement costs are still needed. In this paper, the cost of an actual pipe bursting project on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU) is described and compared to estimated costs of several traditional open-cut options. To verify the reasonableness of the MSU pipe bursting cost, a cost estimate based on the quantity of MSU pipe bursting project was prepared. To show the price range of pipe bursting projects, a cost comparison with two other pipe bursting projects is also made. Other project aspects, such as time and social costs are briefly mentioned as additional benefits of pipe bursting method. These analyses indicated that pipe bursting method is much more cost effective and approximately two to three times less costly than open-cut options.