Sustainable development through innovative underground infrastructure construction practices

Abstract

Underground infrastructure systems require repair or rehabilitation due to deterioration or third-party damage; while new installations are performed as a result of increase population growth and/or development. In particular, water and sewer networks are the lifeline for society’s stability. Unfortunately, a large percentage of worldwide population lack access to clean water and sanitation. Today, engineers are being tasked with the requirement of selecting suitable construction methods that not only offer the most economical solution, but also minimizes impact to the environment. Trenchless construction methods offer such sustainable solutions for installing new utilities and rehabilitating existing infrastructure using “green” principles. The environmental benefits of trenchless technologies for urban environments are discussed in this paper through a case study comparision between trenchless pipe replacement (or pipe bursting) and traditional open cut excavation. An emissions calculator program quantifies the impact of emitted emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOX), hydrocarbons (HC), sulphur oxide (SOX), and particulate matter (TM) into the atmosphere. The presented case study found trenchless pipe replacement to emit an average of 80% fewer emissions compared to the open cut alternative. These results demonstrate the merits of adopting trenchless technologies for sustainable development of underground infrastructure systems.