Horizontal Directional Drilling with Ductile Iron Pipe

Since its development in 1948, and its introduction by the industry in 1955, Ductile Iron Pipe has become the most widely used product for water line installations. In conjunction with water line installations, Ductile Iron Pipe has become often used for gravity and force main sewer applications. Following a tradition with hundreds of years of history, Ductile Iron Pipe was a logical progression from its predecessor, Cast Iron Pipe. Ductile Iron Pipe has been widely embraced due to its inherent strength, ease of field adaptability, and myriad of joint options. When the directional drilling method of pipeline installation was first introduced to the United States, members of the ductile iron pipe industry did not view their product as applicable to this method of installation. The reason; it was incorrectly believed that the directional drilling installation method required a pipe material with a uniform outside diameter throughout the entire pipe length. Consequently research and development efforts were put into action to design and test a ductile iron pipe restrained joint with a uniform outside diameter. During this time of Research and Development by the Ductile Iron Pipe Manufacturers, Horizontal Directional Drilling became a rapidly growing form of pipeline utility installation. There are several key reasons for this installation method growth. Some of the reasons are utility replacement in areas of well maintained landscape, residential areas with well maintained streets and driveways, as well as highly sensitive Historical areas. Open trench construction techniques can be very disruptive and controversial in these sensitive areas. Environmentally sensitive areas have also proven to be key areas where Horizontal Directional Drilling installation methods lessen if not eliminate impact on environmentally sensitive areas.