What Does
Narrow Trenching Mean?
Narrow trenching is a method of excavating trenches usually no wider than 100mm. While it is not a trenchless construction method, it does minimize disruption of streets and neighborhoods in comparison to traditional trenching techniques.The practice is commonly used for the installation of utilities such as telecommunications fiber.
Narrow trenching is also known as microtrenching, mole ploughing, or slot cutting.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Narrow Trenching
Years ago it was common for service companies to tear up streets and unsettle neighborhoods in order install pipes, wires or other utilities. That changed with the advent of various methods of trenchless construction, especially over the past two decades. Another trend is to narrow the width of an open trench where possible to decrease the impact on the community. Narrow trenching has become common in the installation of fiber optics to the Home (FTTH).
A number of devices have been developed to create such microtrenches, including mole plows and cable plows. Narrow trenching can also be accomplished with the use of attachments to construction vehicles or tractors.
Narrow trenching, open trenching and trenchless construction are all competing methods of infrastructure construction and maintenance.