Networking and communications today can be done in many ways. Some of them have been used for quite some time, and therefore are considered somewhat outdated. Whenever possible, such methods are replaced with newer ones, which have a greater number of advantages.
Laying methods
To date, specialists use three main methods of laying communications, which are provided for by current regulatory documents. These three methods include:
- separate laying;
- combined gasket method;
- installation in a combined manifold.
As for the first method, in this case the main difficulty of the work is that it is necessary to dig trenches for any kind of communication. In addition, this is done regardless of how long and how other lines will be laid.
If we talk about the combined laying of engineering networks and communications, then the undoubted advantage is precisely in the fact that lines for different purposes can be laid in one trench. This technology is similar to the operation of combined collectors. The difference is that the third method is resorted to when the place in the trench itself is very limited. The application of this method helps to reduce the execution time, as well as the volume of the work itself by about 40%. In addition, in this case, further operation and possible repairs are greatly facilitated, since there is no need for earthwork. Another important advantage is that it is possible to resume work on laying communications in the collector that was previously installed. The supply of new lines is quite real.
The disadvantages of the method of digging trenches
On the territory of the Russian Federation, the most common method for installing communication lines is to lay them in previously dug trenches. The method is already traditional and is used almost everywhere, but it is quite inconvenient from a financial and practical point of view.
The problem is that for technical reasons it is not always possible to dig trenches. However, at the same time, not all communications can be laid over the air, for example, on spacers. In addition, if there is a need for laying communications by this method, then builders will have to prepare a ditch, trench or lay pipes in the ground, which violates the integrity of the soil cover. This is a significant drawback, since you have to either break the asphalt surface or destroy the plants. Many were faced with a problem when, for example, plumbers have to tear up land in inappropriate places or right in the middle of the road, removing asphalt to get to the damaged pipeline and repair it. Due to such a significant drawback, one has to look for other ways of laying communications in the house, on the street, in the city, etc. A trenchless method has been a good solution, which has been used for quite some time in many European countries.
Trenchless laying
This laying method can be applied in many industries. Its main advantage is that it allows you to carry out all the necessary excavation work without destroying the roadway or opening the soil. This method is a set of measures that allow for the laying of the pipeline, without preliminary deepening.
This arrangement was invented by Western experts, but its effectiveness turned out to be so high that it is used almost everywhere, including domestic construction. In addition, another important advantage is that on the construction site, much fewer people are required to carry out all the work than with the trench method. Also, with trenchless laying of communications, there is no need for additional costs for earthmoving equipment, since there is no need for it. There is no need for arranging crossings over those places where work is being done. But the main plus is another. This method allows you to work both in the summer and in the winter, and all pipes located nearby remain intact.
Trenchless method
All work on laying engineering communications in this way is carried out quite quickly and very accurately. Most often, this method is used in the construction industry. With it, you can install almost any vital line.
In addition, it is worth saying that the commissioning or change of pipes is also possible when using the trenchless installation method. The use of this arrangement option is also indispensable in cases where the building density in the village is very high. This method is most successfully used in cases where it is necessary to equip a pipeline or sewer, especially across various obstacles of a man-made or natural nature, for example, through a ravine, road, etc. It is worth noting that the successful completion of work greatly depends on how much the preparatory phase was well conducted.
To date, there are not too many options for laying communications in this way, and for each of them it is necessary to take into account factors such as the length of the plot, the type of soil and the amount of materials used. Suppose that if the length of the pipeline does not exceed several tens of meters, then the use of specific equipment is not required. It will be necessary to use only a movable rod, which works on an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic drive, and also to choose a cylinder of a suitable diameter.
Work
Before proceeding with laying communications in this way, it is necessary to dig small pits on both edges of the site. If the work will be carried out on a sufficiently large territory, it will be necessary to use equipment such as location, drilling, hydraulic installations, car manipulators, generators and welding machines for polypropylene pipes. It is worth saying that trenchless laying involves the use of one of several technologies.
The first method is called rehabilitation, which in Latin sounds like healing. This method is used only if the work is carried out on the site where there are already pipelines, but for some reason they need to be replaced. In other words, this technology is not laying a new line, but a qualitative replacement of old pipes with new ones. This operation is carried out in two ways - by renovation or relining. The first method is used when laying communications in the case when the old ones have completely used up their resources and they just need to be replaced with new ones. The essence of the second option is that a new pipe fits inside the old pipe. Thus, it is possible to eliminate problems in certain sections of the old line without changing it completely.
In addition to these methods, there is also a method called punching. This method is used when the pipe diameter is too large. The essence of the method is to press the pipe into the ground under the action of a hydraulic jack, as well as a vibro-shock mechanism. It is best to use this mounting option only on loose ground. Soil will be removed from the pipe under the influence of compressed air. This method is used for laying pipes with a diameter of 600 to 1720 mm. The length of such a pipe should not exceed 100 meters.
Other installation methods
Another method that differs from others is puncture. It is used most often only on clay or loamy soils. Another small limitation is the diameter of the pipe, which should not exceed 15 cm. The essence of the action is that in a selected place underground, a pipe of solid steel is held at the end of which there is a sharp cone. It is worth noting that the earth will not be brought out, but will be compacted in place when using a hydraulic jack. When the well is ready, a polyethylene pipe with the desired diameter is driven into it.
There are other limitations. Suppose that if the diameter of the pipe is 60 cm, then the length to which it can be laid in this way is no more than 60 m. One of the variations of this type of work is a hydraulic piercing. It is often used only on those types of soil that are easily eroded. Before starting the installation of the pipe, the soil is eroded using a special nozzle. After that, the pipeline can be introduced into the prepared hole.
Drilling
Another option is horizontal drilling for laying communications. This method is considered the most optimal for most cases when it is necessary to install a certain line. It must be borne in mind that this option is classified as the most expensive. Despite this fact, just such a method remains the best for the trenchless laying method, since it allows you to work on any type of soil. In this case, horizontal drilling for laying communications is carried out by a special drill at a given point and a given direction to a depth of 15 meters. During such work, a drive rod is attached to the drill. This is the tip that is used to hold the structure underground along a predetermined path to circumvent possible obstacles. The tip also needs cooling, for which it has special holes.
Among other things, for laying underground engineering communications with horizontal directional drilling, a special apparatus is used that monitors, corrects and navigates the drilling rig. After the well is formed, it expands so that a pipe of the desired diameter can be drawn inside it. If the diameter is large enough, the expansion can be carried out several times.
If to summarize the trenchless pipe laying method, then we can say that it will be successfully developed in the future. A large number of methods for its implementation allows you to choose a method that is most suitable for the type of soil, as well as to complete the task. In addition, this method allows you to almost completely preserve the integrity of the soil, pavement, which significantly reduces the number of problems during work in densely populated areas. Also, this method is characterized by the formation of a much smaller number of by-products than when using the traditional laying with the trench method.
Types of work on reconstructed sites
Today, laying new communications is not so difficult. A more expensive and complex process is the laying of utilities at the sites of reconstructed enterprises. About 10-15% of all material costs go to pay for this particular stage.
Depending on the requirements, as well as the conditions at different sites, the following methods are used:
- open method in one trench, used on overpasses or in galleries;
- the open method also includes arrangement methods with or without wall fastening, as well as separately or by combining several pipelines;
- a closed method is also used, which implies the use of a trenchless arrangement method.
In some cases, the puncture method is used if it is necessary to carry out work without excavation. It is also possible to use punching or drilling if soil development is required.
Combined Method
However, if we talk about laying engineering communications precisely at the sites of reconstructed enterprises, the method of separate laying in trenches will prevail. This is due to the fact that from the point of view of design, this method is the simplest, and also during its operation it is possible to use pipes made of different materials. However, this method also has drawbacks, which lie in the fact that it requires a large amount of earthwork, and the overall complexity is very high.
It is worth paying attention to the combined method of laying lines. It will reduce construction time by about 30%, when compared with a separate method. However, the possibility of using this option is highly dependent on the definition of the site topology. In other words, it can be used in substations, thermal, as well as water distribution nodes, etc.
Utility network laying
The construction of any new building requires the laying of utilities. Such networks include plumbing, electricity, sewage and heating. The arrangement of these networks without fail requires the preparation of a project of work taking into account all engineering features. Quite often, problems arise, since the nearby communications are most often already very worn out, and in addition, they can also be located at a fairly large distance from the construction site.
For example, when laying water supply and sewage systems, the main role is assigned to such a stage as earthwork. Quite a lot of time is spent only on studying the soil, as well as its properties.
If we summarize all of the above, it becomes clear that the laying of communications at the present time is one of the stages that is the main not only in the construction of a new building, but also in the reconstruction of the old one. In addition, as a separate type of work, it is also carried out quite often.