Numerical study on effect of pipe bursting on adjacent structure/pavement

Trenchless pipe replacement technology by "EXPANDIT" using hydraulic expansion has many effective features, such as availability for larger diameter, little vibration to disrupt adjacent services, wide range of pipe size and types in a variety of soil and site conditions, etc,. However, a lot of sewer administrators would consider that pipe bursting might damage to adjacent pipes or structures, and then this pipe replacement technology cannot be applied widely for sewer pipes in Japan. Effect on the adjacent utilities due to pipe bursting is a major concern in all aspects of sewage pipes replacement works. Pipe bursting causes displacement of ground around the pipes and hence results in effect on adjacent structures and pavement. Ground movement and the effect on nearby utilities, structures and pavement are major concerns for not only sewage authorities but also other underground structures owners in Japan. In order to solve this problem, the amount of ground movement and estimation charts of the ground movement were attained by the results from experimental pipe bursting operation focused on the ground movement. These concerns might unjustifiably prohibit the pipe bursting and pipe replacement technologies with less risk and disturbance than open cut. This paper describes the results of numerical study on the effect to adjacent utilities by pipe bursting operation.