What Does
Pressure Plate Mean?
A pressure plate is a steel plate situated between the jacks and the thrust wall which serves to disperse the thrust force onto the wall during a pipe jacking operation. Pressure plates are used in pipe jacking construction techniques or microtunneling for smaller bore piping. The principle purpose of a pressure plate is to protect the thrust wall from experiencing high centralized forces from the jacking action.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Pressure Plate
A pressure plate is an integral piece of the equipment required for pipe jacking in trenchless construction. Pipe jacking generates an extreme force as the jack pushes the pipe through the ground behind the shield using hydraulic drives. A thrust wall is built in the thrust pit and the pressure plate is the critical component which distributes the force of the jacks against the thrust wall. The number of jacks being used in the construction will vary according to the diameter of the pipe being installed.