Denise Sullivan
Technical Writer @ Trenchlesspedia
Denise Sullivan is an accomplished freelance writer from Louisiana, with a Associate's Degree in Journalism from Eastern Oklahoma State College. She also graduated from East Central University with a Bachelor's in Biology. Denise began her writing career writing operations and maintenance manuals and software utility manuals for flight simulators. Since, she has expanded her writing to a broad spectrum of topics.
Robotic pipe repair is an essential part of oil companies’ pipeline maintenance. The technology, known as smart or intelligent pigs, monitor most lines. The sensors...
Many trenchless drilling projects utilize reamers to help enlarge the pilot borehole. With proper reamer and fluid use, this method can help to stabilize the newly...
Vitrified clay pipe (VCP) has been in use since ancient Babylon. The material is abrasion-resistant and acidic erosion and corrosion-resistant. However, it has the...
Sewer repair can be costly. Lines become clogged and damaged from tree root infiltration, the pouring of oil down drains and neglect.
At one point, metal piping materials were the height of plumbing innovations. Then we learned some of the tried and true materials can do a lot of harm.
Each of the components of a drill rig must be considered individually in order to maintain it. Rigs, rods, bits and back reamers, fluid pumps and collectors all need to...
Trenchlessopedia asks, what are some of the challenges of a fiber optics installation and how does the industry solve those problems?
Assessing value of life is part of any risk management plan for trenchless projects. Determining if a project has too high a probability for loss of life is vital.
Drilling waste disposal is a significant part of the cost of any drilling job. Knowing the different options available can help planners determine what is best
Microtunneling is a trenchless construction technique that allows an operator to bore small diameter holes over great distances. The new pipelines are jacked in place...
Bidding on a city project will require you to provide information on your budget, timeline and your contingency plan. You'll have to give realistic timeframes and budget...
Fiber optic cable installation benefits from the use of trenchless technology. Direct burial and horizontal directional drilling techniques bury lines quickly
While microtunneling machines are capable of drilling through almost any obstruction, knowing what those obstructions are is integral to the planning process.
Tuberculation in pipes occurs in cast iron plumbing resulting in a brown slime buildup on the interior of the line. Here's how to fix it.
Oil and Gas Projects in 2020 are changing due to VR and trenchless technology. Here's how.
Through the use of geomapping tools, workers can accurately locate underground utilities.
Knowing which method to use and when to use it for each circumstance requires a closer look at each technique.
A faulty gas line is nothing to mess with. When gas appliances are not putting off the same amount of heat or flame as they once did, it can be a leak. Learn how to tell...
Gyro and magnetic wireline steering are ways for operators to control the horizontal directional drilling project. Both have their benefits and work better in certain...
Learn how engineers can accurately place new pipelines with minimal disturbance to the surrounding soil by using the pilot tube guided boring method.
A stable wellbore is essential to the oil and gas industry. To adequately calculate the wellbore stability, planners must take into account all factors.
Pneumatic and hydraulic pipe bursting are both effective methods of trenchless pipe replacement, each with their own pros and cons. See what both have to offer.
Drilling fluid keeps the system cool and helps maintain the borehole. These top drilling fluid mistakes can lead to costly damage and collapse boreholes.
Being in a hurry is the leading cause of pipe inspection issues. With more advanced equipment, those issues can be eliminated before they become a problem.
A No-Dig Show is a place to learn from industry leaders, see new technology, and meet new contacts.
CIPP is a popular method of trenchless rehabilitation because there's minimal disruption of your yard, plus it often takes less time to complete than other traditional...
While benching is an integral part of the manhole flooring process, half bench and full bench methods have subtle key differences you should know.
Trenchless technology equipment plays an essential role in the maintenance of wastewater management systems. Understanding the different techniques and equipment...
Horizontal directional drilling fluid poses environmental problems if not disposed of properly. However, through the use of solids control mechanisms, the overall life...
Hydraulic fracturing technique uses hydraulic fluid with additives. This fluid affects the fracture orientation and length, which workers need to understand before...
A successful ground heat exchanger pressure test uses water not air to pressurize the line.
Carrying out in-situ stress measurements can be accomplished by using either hydraulic fracturing or overcoring methods. Both offer a unique way to obtain vital data for...
Greenhouse gas emissions are a real concern for those in the construction industry. Understanding the cause can help planners choose the right method to reduce their...
A comprehensive geotechnical report is an all-important first step in the planning process to ensure that your trenchless project runs smoothly.
Continuing education is a necessary part of keeping abreast of all the new technologies and procedures affecting the trenchless industry. Rapid growth and innovation...
Failing to maintain the sewage system pipeline can cause inflow and infiltration into the system. With an increased amount of water in the lines, there is a danger of...
Each plumbing job requires the joining of lines at some point. Choosing the best pipe joining method depends not only on the fluid traveling through the pipelines but...
Slot trenching is a more environmentally and worker-friendly way to lay new subterranean utility lines.
The mechanics of determining crack propagation is known as fracture mechanics. Using these skills at a drilling station can help mitigate many issues that cause borehole...
The horizontal directional drilling industry (HDD) has seen steady growth over the last few years. Understanding the sectors which use HDD and the complications...
Ground penetrating radar is a handy tool to help keep workers from damaging underground utility lines. Advancements in technology offer a clearer picture of the buried...
Manholes date back to the mid-19th century and still play an essential part in maintaining city sewage systems. They serve not only as maintenance access points, but...
The hydraulic radius helps to determine how much water and sediment can flow through a channel. The higher the radius of a pipe, the larger the volume of fluid the line...
Mechanical spot repairs do not often require a bypass to complete. However, on occasion, a sewer bypass may be necessary, and planning is the key to success.
An essential part of any drilling project is the planning stage. Project engineers must spend time designing boreholes to ensure project success.
Thrust boring works by cutting a pilot hole while thrusting a pipe sleeve in place. The sleeve acts as a stabilizer, making it an ideal choice for high-risk projects.
Prior to the late 1970s, lead was common in water transportation pipes. While newer construction no longer employs this material, older homes may still be at risk.
Imagine having the ability to remove soil above underground utility lines without damaging the underground lines through the use of high-pressure water and vacuum...
Drilling a well requires planning. You need to know where the well goes and if it will be enough to provide for your needs. Once location determined, the proper steps...
Not all trenchless techniques prohibit workers from entering the excavation site. Utility tunneling is one of those trenchless methods that require workers to be inside...
Trenchless technology is all about fixing and constructing underground structures without the use of surface level trenches. Learn how this new-age technology and all...
In the event of pipe damage, owners try to find the quickest, cheapest method of repairing. Trenchless rehabilitation can be a viable solution. But it isn't always the...
Standards for materials used in trenchless technology are set by ASTM International, a group devoted to ensuring various technical elements meet a minimum safe use...
Popular in the 1930s and 40s, asbestos cement pipes were used for water and sewage lines. Degradation of those lines allowed asbestos to seep into the water stream...
Horizontal directional drilling is a popular method of laying cables, utility lines and plumbing. Careful planning and constant care during boring are essential to HDD...
Shotcrete is a mix of cement and sand blown through an airstream. He designed a technique where he could spray the plaster into the structure, creating the gunite method.
No-dig construction's environmental impact is staggering. The reduction of a carbon footprint, lessening the detrimental effects on wildlife in the area and reduced...
Borehole expansion may prove necessary overtime. Newer technologies, allow workers to expand the existing casings and avoid traditional telescoping hazards.
Education is an important point for trenchless technology companies, as the industry is still relatively new and growing. A no dig show allows these leaders to come...
When the bottom of a pipe erodes in a process known as channeling, it becomes problematic for a homeowner. However, the use of trenchless technology repairs the...
When a blockage occurs, is it a line belly or channeling? Line belly cannot be repaired using trenchless methods, but channeling can. Diagnosing the issue properly can...
Borehole integrity is vital to the safety and success of a drilling project. There are several issues that can lead to borehole collapse like borehole narrowing,...
Trenchless technology, the method of subsurface construction requiring little or no continuous trenching, began in 1970. It was invented by Eric Wood
Analyzing the ground conditions is only a small part of successfully boring a tunnel. Using engineering skills as well as preparing the area is essential to maintaining...
Sliplining is when workers insert a pipe within a damaged pipeline. The new plumbing is made of either polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane (HDPE or PE), with PE the...
There are 5 basic PIG models, utility, inspection, intelligent, gel and specialty PIGS in use in trenchless pigging, all of which are used to clean and inspect pipes...
What to Do When You Smell Gas? Ventilate the area, evacuate the premises, contact emergency services and turn to trenchless inspection and repair for your gas lines. If...
Trenchless technology methods are fast and efficient ways to address line damage. New technologies arise every day that make it easier to “see” the cracks without...
Trenchless rehabilitation is cheaper, less disruptive and requires less time to complete as opposed to conventional trenching projects, costing $50-$250 per foot. It...
For trenchless projects, managers select one of three main drill rod categories, A-series, D-series, or O-series. A-series rods are made of an air-hardened material that...
There are three main types of sewer systems: separate, combined and partially separate systems. Separate sewer systems use two lines, one for sanitary waste and the...
The use of CIPP most commonly occurs to repair water, sewer, and gas lines. When installing utility lines in communities, an array of trenchless methods can be used from...
Things to consider are how to deal with flooding issues, regulations concerning excavation and backfill of the site, and potential soil stabilization techniques for...
Rehabilitating city waterlines via cured-in-place pipe, sliplining, pipe bursting and other trenchless methods fixes tuberculation, contamination and corrosion issues in...
The use of pipe penetrating radar (PPR) helps to determine which areas of pipeline need attention most by way of CIPP, sliplining or pipe bursting repair. It also notes...
Cured-in-place-pipe, also known as CIPP, is a trenchless method used to fix plumbing problems. CIPP works by inserting a resin-impregnated fiberglass cloth and pulling...
Cured-in-place pipe, better known as CIPP, is essentially a pipe within a pipe that costs between $60 and $200 per-foot for water infrastructure repairs. To date,...
Sewer rehabilitation, water line replacements, fiber optic installation and gas line repair are among the common reasons for trenchless rehabilitation in residential...
CIPP is growing rapidly for water mains, it provides a seamless fix for cracked pipes and provides consumer protection from asbestos and lead pipes without digging. This...
Since manholes are designed to last 50 years, they are slowly deteriorating. Manholes can be repaired using trenchless technology and CIPP, chimney, cementitious and...
Digging up and replacing asbestos-infused pipes is costly and hazardous. Pipe bursting allows replacement of the pipes without exposing asbestos to air. The use of...
Learn how pipe bursting works, why it’s the best way to efficiently replace damaged or leaking pipes, and why it’s the cost effective method you should consider.
The drill bit and its tooling practices have evolved to become a mainstay of modern drilling processes. Without these all-important tools, trenchless technology would...
