Pipe jacking and microtunnelling

Microtunnelling operations allow the installation of pipelines from jacking pits. Trenchless operations, such as microtunnelling, minimise trench spoil and hence reduce waste, they also reduce damage to the road surface and traffic disruption when compared to trenching operations. During the microtunnelling process the jacking load is an important parameter, controlling the pipe wall thickness, the need for, and location of, intermediate jacking stations, the selection of the jacking frame and lubrication requirements. The main component of the jacking load is due to frictional resistance.
 
Microtunnelling is a complex process and this makes the theoretical determination of the jacking forces quite difficult. The pipe–soil/rock interaction is in fact highly affected by excavation conditions (overcut, lubrication, pipe misalignment, stoppages, tunnel stability, rock mass quality, etc.).

The research in this field has the main goal of improving design analysis techniques concerning pipe-jacking and microtunnelling operations. The research focuses on the following aspects:

  1. Pipejacking in swelling clays. This work was conducted in cooperation with the University of Cambridge. 
  2. Microtunnelling in fractured rock masses.
  3. Applicability in the Torino subsoil. In order to improve the applicability of microtunnelling in the Torino metropolitan area, the research project is intended to study investigation and interpretation methods, design methods. Thanks to a discontinuum numerical model, a useful correlation between the geotechnical characteristics of the subsoil and the characteristics of the microtunnellers (jacking force needed to advance into the ground, etc.) are being developed.

People

Publications

2022
  1. Sustainable Pipe Jacking Technology in the Urban Environment
    Book

    Ong, Dominic Ek Leong; Barla, Marco; Cheng, Jason Wen-Chieh; Choo, Chung Siung; Sun, Minmin; Peerun, Mohammud Irfaan
    CITIES RESEARCH SERIES
    Springer
    pp.313 ISSN:2662-4842 ISBN:9789811693717 DOI:10.1007/978-981-16-9372-4

2017
  1. Pipe Jacking in Sandy Soil Under a River in Shenyang, China
    Article

    Ji, Xin Bo; Zhao, Wen; Jia, Peng; Qiao, Li bin; Barla, Marco; Ni, Pengpeng; Wang, Liang
    INDIAN GEOTECHNICAL JOURNAL
    Springer
    Vol.47 pp.15 (pp.246-260) ISSN:0971-9555 DOI:10.1007/s40098-016-0195-5

2013
  1. A method to design microtunnelling installations in the Torino randomly cemented alluvial soil
    Article

    Barla, Marco; Camusso, Marco
    TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND SPACE TECHNOLOGY
    Elsevier
    Vol.33 pp.9 (pp.73-81) ISSN:0886-7798 DOI:10.1016/j.tust.2012.09.002

2007
  1. Microtunnelling: a data base as a design tool
    Article

    Barla, Marco
    INżYNIERIA BEZWYKOPOWA
    Vol.4 (pp.58-60) ISSN:1730-1432

2006
  1. Analysis of jacking forces during microtunnelling in limestone
    Article

    Barla, Marco; M., Camusso; S., Aiassa
    TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND SPACE TECHNOLOGY
    Vol.21 (pp.668-683) ISSN:0886-7798 DOI:10.1016/j.tust.2006.01.002

2003
  1. Numerical modelling of pipe-soil stresses during pipe jacking in clays
    Proceeding

    Barla, Marco; Borghi, X.; Mair, R. J.; S. O. G. A. R., K.
    In: 13th European Conference on Soil Mechanics & Geotechnical Engineering
    ČGtS (REPUBBLICA CECA)
    XIII ECSMGE (Praga) 25-28 agosto 2003
    Vol.2 pp.6 (pp.453-458) ISBN:9788086769004

Total: 6