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Utility Trenching
When
installing utilities, contractors should bear in mind the considerable
advantages of using dedicated rock trenchers rather than other, more
conventional methods such as excavating, hammering or blasting.
Some
of the benefits can be summarised as follows:
Advantages
of Rock Trenchers over conventional methods
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| Trenching
•One simple pass automatically
achieves the correct depth of trench removing all strata
•Surrounding area virtually undisturbed
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Conventional methods
(Blasting / Hammering)
•Different processes required to remove
different stratum
•Difficult
to avoid disrupting the ground / nearby buildings either side of the
required trench opening
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Trenching
•Neat trench sides and a level trench
bottom mean it is easy to control the grade
•Spoil
from the trench can be reused as backfill material |
Conventional methods
•Uneven trench sides and bottom make
accurate grade control difficult
•Additional
new backfill material required or crushing equipment required before
reinstatement
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Trenching
•Comparatively little surface
reinstatement required, as the trench opening is kept to a minimum
•Neat
and pleasing appearance of the finished job |
Conventional methods
•Additional surface reinstatement
material required due to the irregular trench opening frequently
being wider than actually required
•Excavating
and blasting forces frequently cause upheaval of the surrounding
ground. Sinkage of the
surface can then occur as the ground settles over time |
Of
course, rock trenchers can be used for many types of utility projects in
various ground conditions, not just in rock.
Mastenbroek trenchers are used in all types of terrain, both on the
highway and cross country, in rock and in soil.
Mastenbroek
machines are more than just trenchers and can therefore be designed to
incorporate various types of installation boxes for cables, ducts or pipes.
These boxes ensure simultaneous and accurate installation of a
variety of flexible as well as rigid pipes.
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