Trenchless Technology in China.

Trenchless technology is an innovative method for installation of underground utilities and is drawing more and more attention in the world for its unique technological advantages and market potential. Compared to the traditional cut-and-cover method that needs a big open space and is not environmentally friendly, trenchless technology can be operated in confined areas and has less influence on its surroundings. For example, it does not necessitate traffic congestion, street pavement or landscaping damage or cause concern about the safety of building foundations. In some areas, especially where it is necessary for underground utilities to cross rivers, lakes, highways and important structures, open-cut excavation would be very hard to accept, whereas trenchless technology provides a smart and cost effective alternative.

As in many other countries, the research and application of trenchless technology has been a hot topic and has been receiving more attention in the construction industry of China since the early 1990s. This can be described in two aspects. One aspect is that more companies have developed or imported diverse equipment such as microtunneling, pipe jacking and horizontal directional drilling machines and have developed a significant experience base. These companies include the Beijing Municipal Engineering Institute, Shanghai Municipal Engineering Institute and Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Company, which install more than 500 km every year of different kinds of underground utility pipelines in highly populated Beijing and Shanghai. Companies in other provinces, such as Guangdong, Hubei and Henan, are also very active in the application of trenchless technology.

Another aspect is that more information and discussion have been introduced both in professional journals and seminars. The Chinese Journal of World Drilling and Trenchless Technology has already edited several special volumes for trenchless technology. So far, about nine international seminars and demonstrations, which include the Trenchless Tech Beijing 2001 and Trenchless Tech Guanzhou 2002 have been held in China. Thus, it seems that China is taking advantage of this new technology. However, since only less than one percent of underground utility pipelines are currently installed by trenchless technology every year, more effort is absolutely necessary.