What is pipe bursting and splitting? Distinct methods used in pipe bursting and splitting

What is pipe bursting and pipe splitting?

Pipe bursting

Pipe bursting technique is used on materials like clay, asbestos cement, concrete, and cast iron which are generally brittle materials. During the process, brittle pipes are pulled through the existing buried pipe a dynamic bursting head to fragment and an expander cone. The bursting head is used to drag-off the fragments to the upper ground.

Pipe splitting

Similar to pipe bursting, pipe splitting is a trenchless co pipe lining repair and used to replace pipes made of ductile materials steel, ductile iron, and plastics. This technique involves cutting down the existing pipe into segments using an internal head with sharp cutting blades.

Methods: Pipe bursting and splitting

Pipe bursting comprises of three methods namely pneumatic, hydraulic, and static pull. The major element which distinguishes all the three methods is the energy source and the mechanism of breaking the existing old pipe. Moreover, pneumatic and hydraulic methods work on the principle of dynamic force. Whereas the static pull method works on constant pull force.Several factors like soil, ground water conditions, upsizing degree play a prominent role in selecting the method for a specific situation. Although, static pipe bursting has taken over pneumatic bursting due to its inability to resist shock waves produced by dynamic burster.

Besides, pipe splitting is only a static pull method. Moreover, the method uses sharp cutter or blades to cut-off the host (existing) pipe while the expansion shell head comply with the cutters and open-up the host pipe for new pipe installation. The local sewer line cleaning denver co also offers excellent pipe bursting and splitting services.

Practicalities of pipe bursting/splitting

When there is pipe bursting working on a large-scale, like in large diameter, large upsizes then there is a risk of damage to the adjacent infrastructure. Additionally, all the prior services need to be cut-off before pipe bursting. Alternative service might cost you a bit but it'll minimize the risk of damaging adjacent buried infrastructure and the roadway. On the other side, pipe splitting is much safer option than pipe bursting.

Soil types and consequences

trenchless pipe bursting denver co intend to breakdown the host pipe and spread over its fragments into the surrounding soil which might degrade the quality of soil. Compressible soil is the best for pipe bursting /splitting purposes. Besides other suitable ground conditions include clay, silt, and some soft cohesive material.

Diameter and length range

For pipe bursting/splitting the diameter of pipe varies between 50-80mm that can stetch up to 200m in a single pull. Moreover, length with upsizing is also crucial to determine its practicality.