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Q&A With Our Experts

Trenchlesspedia has assembled some of the industry's top advisors to answer anything and everything related to the sale of a business.

Featured Experts

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Bertus Vos

Co-Founder and Principal Engineer, BlueFox Engineering

Bertus Vos is one of the co-founders and principal engineers at BlueFox Engineering. He holds a bachelor of engineering degree from the University of…

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Chad Decker

Founding Partner, Devco Development and Engineering

Chad Decker is a founding partner at Devco Development and Engineering, holding both A & B licenses in California. He brings over 15+ years of…

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Trenchless Pipe Installation: Minimizing Disruption and Controlling Costs
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Jessica Zimmer

Journalist

Jessica Zimmer is a news reporter based in northern California with over 20 years of experience as a journalist. She has previously written for…

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Q&As

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What are some of the new trenchless technologies being used to minimize carbon emissions?

“What are some of the new trenchless technologies being used to minimize carbon emissions?”

The construction industry has been in the spotlight forever when it comes to carbon emissions. Construction accounts for almost 1/3rd of global energy consumption, and thus is responsible for the…
Answered by: Bertus Vos
Co-Founder and Principal Engineer, BlueFox Engineering
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What’s the future of UV cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation?

“What’s the future of UV cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation?”

Cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) has become one of the most important technology trends in the field of trenchless pipe rehabilitation around the world. CIPP allows an in-situ rehabilitation of pipes using…
Answered by: B
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Can you trust your tap water during self-isolation?

“Can you trust your tap water during self-isolation?”

Yes, as per the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). On its website, EPA states that: “The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in…
Answered by: B
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What are the biggest risks involved with trenchless crossing installations?

“What are the biggest risks involved with trenchless crossing installations?”

Pipelines installed using trenchless crossing methods face many engineering and geological challenges. Trenchless crossings are frequently used to install pipelines under rivers, highways, railway…
Answered by: Bertus Vos
Co-Founder and Principal Engineer, BlueFox Engineering
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When should I use slurry microtunneling on my trenchless project?

“When should I use slurry microtunneling on my trenchless project?”

Microtunneling is a trenchless construction technique used to construct small- to medium-sized tunnels. During the microtunneling process, a remote-controlled, laser-guided cutting head drills…
Answered by: B
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What is geomapping and how is it used in trenchless technology?

“What is geomapping and how is it used in trenchless technology?”

Underground utility networks, such as natural gas pipelines, water lines and electrical lines can consist of millions of miles piping and cable infrastructure. As these networks continue to expand,…
Answered by: B
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How does rock mechanics help engineers better understand how rocks will react to tunneling projects?

“How does rock mechanics help engineers better understand how rocks will react to tunneling projects?”

Tunneling into rock is a relatively complex process, requiring careful project planning and analysis of site conditions. While rock may seem solid, it contains numerous cracks, fissures, faults,…
Answered by: B
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Is shoring and other trenching safety methods required during trenchless construction?

“Is shoring and other trenching safety methods required during trenchless construction?”

While the term "trenchless" suggests the absence of trenches, there are instances where small excavations are needed during trenchless construction. These trenches, known as entry and exit…
Answered by: B
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When should engineers take skin friction into account when writing mud specification for an HDD project?

“When should engineers take skin friction into account when writing mud specification for an HDD project?”

In short, skin friction should always be considered when writing mud specifications for a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) project. Skin friction is defined as the amount of resistance developed…
Answered by: B
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Why is bottom hole treating pressure important to monitor?

“Why is bottom hole treating pressure important to monitor?”

The first step in setting up a hydraulic fracture job is knowing the expected treatment rates and pressures. One of the most influential factors in determining these parameters is the bottom-hole…
Answered by: B
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What are the different types of gel strengths?

“What are the different types of gel strengths?”

The gel strength of drilling mud (or drilling fluid) is the shear stress in the fluid at a low shear rate after it has been static for a specific period of time. The parameter gives a measure of the…
Answered by: B
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What is the role of bypass pumping and when is it used?

“What is the role of bypass pumping and when is it used?”

Aging sewer pipelines is a growing concern in many municipalities. This issue has led to an increase in activity aimed at rebuilding or rehabilitating current sewage infrastructure. However, it is…
Answered by: B
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What are the best trenchless rehabilitation procedures to consider?

“What are the best trenchless rehabilitation procedures to consider?”

Many private and public sector organizations are turning to trenchless rehabilitation procedures to repair and maintain underground piping due to their numerous benefits. However, not all trenchless…
Answered by: B
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What equipment has improved wastewater management?

“What equipment has improved wastewater management?”

Wastewater management involves the oversight of the processes and procedures used during the treatment of wastewater. This field ensures that contaminants are removed from the sewage such that it can…
Answered by: B
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Why Is a steel casing pipe recommended for pipe ramming in the horizontal boring method?

“Why Is a steel casing pipe recommended for pipe ramming in the horizontal boring method?”

Pipe ramming is a trenchless construction technique used to install underground utilities, pipes, ducts, conduits, and culverts. It involves using a pneumatic or hydraulically powered ramming tool,…
Answered by: B
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What are the most common causes of residential water or sewer disruption?

“What are the most common causes of residential water or sewer disruption?”

Water and wastewater plumbing are some of the most crucial elements in any residential or commercial building. However, since these components are typically buried and hidden from view, their…
Answered by: B
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What are the differences between a TBM and a MTBM?

“What are the differences between a TBM and a MTBM?”

Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and microtunnel boring machines (MTBMs) are used to construct underground tunnels and passages with circular cross-sections. They both use a drilling mechanism, known as…
Answered by: B
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How does a tunnel boring machine (TBM) control the subsidence of the ground above the trenchless installation?

“How does a tunnel boring machine (TBM) control the subsidence of the ground above the trenchless installation?”

Soil subsidence, also known as settlement, is defined as a downward vertical movement of the ground, generally caused by changes in stresses within the soil. Subsidence is often described as a…
Answered by: B
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Are rheological properties important in the drilling fluid on HDD projects?

“Are rheological properties important in the drilling fluid on HDD projects?”

Yes, very important! The following is a basic explanation based on using what is known as The Bingham Plastic Model. Plastic Viscosity (PV), Yield Point (YP) and Gel Strengths Plastic Viscosity PV is…
Answered by: B
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How does ground penetrating radar equipment work?

“How does ground penetrating radar equipment work?”

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a non-destructive geophysical technique used to determine the cross-sectional profiles of subsurface geological features and objects without digging, drilling or…
Answered by: B
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