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We wanted to educate our readers and we’re sure that most people are fully aware about trenchless pipe rehabilitation, however, we wanted to go back to basics and look at what Pipe Rehabilitation really means and the effective methods included in such a repair and replacement activity.

What does Pipe Rehabilitation mean?

Pipe rehabilitation is that aspect of trenchless rehabilitation that undertakes the repair or replacement of sewer and water pipelines that run under a city or town, connecting homes, offices and industries to the municipal sewer network or water connection.

Trenchless technology enables repair and replacement with little to no digging required. Pipe rehabilitation can usually be carried out from manholes. There are different methods for trenchless rehabilitation of pipes which are cost effective, quick, reliable, and long lasting.

Trenchless methods are becoming popular because they are non-disruptive and eco-friendly.

Pipe rehabilitation methods include

• slip lining,
• cured-in-place pipe (CIPP),
• thermoformed pipe,
• mechanical spot repair
• pipe bursting.
• Pipe Coating

Cured in place pipe (CIPP) lining (AKA Trenchless Pipe Lining)

CIPP lining which is known as “cured-in-place pipe lining” is commonly referred to as Trenchless pipe lining, Sewer pipe lining, CIPP Trenchless pipe repair and CIPP Trenchless sewer repair, among other names.

A popular method of pipe rehabilitation is CIPP which involves the use of a resin-soaked liner that is inverted and inserted into the affected pipeline after the pipeline is cleaned and inspected. Once placed within the pipe, the liner is expanded, using compressed air or steam, and allowed to fill the pipe. Heat is applied to the liner to accelerate the curing process.

Trenchless pipe lining is a cost-effective method of repairing damaged sewer laterals without the need for trench excavation.

Pipe Bursting Rehabilitation

Another commonly used trenchless method is pipe bursting in which a pipe, with a slightly smaller diameter than the host pipe, is inserted behind a bursting head. The bursting head has a slightly larger diameter than the host pipe and, as it rotates through the host pipe, it bursts the pipe and pushes the broken pieces into the surrounding soil while pulling the new pipe behind it and replacing the damaged pipe.

Mechanical Spot Rehabilitation

Mechanical spot repairs are used for strengthening small areas of damaged pipes that do not need to be replaced.

Pipelines around the world are in danger due to ageing, deposits, and corrosion. Leaky fittings and cracks are an environmental hazard and cause the loss of valuable resources such as drinking water, gas, or oil.

Open-cut pipe replacement is very time-consuming, expensive, noisy, and often causes significant traffic disruptions.

Pipe Coating

The Picote Brush Coating™ System is a simple, fast and practical coating system used for drain and sewer renovation. Coat unlined or lined pipes or connections from DN32 – DN200 / 1¼" – 8" with the Picote Coating Pump and Mini Miller combination. Coat anything from a small area (such as a lined connection) to entire piping systems, for example blocks of flats with our easy to use Smart Mixer and dual-colour 100% solids epoxy resin cartridges for cast iron, PVC, concrete or clay pipes.

Whilst the brush pipe coating is not necessarily a replacement for CIPP Lining it is a solution when CIPP installation isn’t possible due to multiple bends or inaccessible reinstatements.

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NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH – April 2020

• IDS GeoRadar STREAM UP
• IDS GeoRadar IQ MAPS Software
• IDS GeoRadar announces latest Ground Penetrating Radar Product and Post Processing Software
• Stream UP increases qualified accuracy of the entire Stream family

This state-of-the-art piece of Ground Penetrating Radar technology is multi-channel, multi-frequency, double-
polarized and lightweight. This system is dedicated to utility mapping across extensive areas which facilitates the
whole process before, during and after data acquisition.

Game changing way to capture underground utility assets

The Stream UP is easy to assemble directly on site with as little as two people. To transport it and assemble it, with
just one person is also an option. Furthermore, the total absence of contact with the ground dramatically reduces
the stress on the equipment and consequently, the relentless maintenance often involved with these systems.

The Stream UP has an acquisition speed up to 150 km/h (with a suggested acquisition speed of 60 km/h) and the
data quality is higher than ever, with the new control unit – Embedded Digital Antenna Driver – Stream (eDAD-S).

The new control unit which includes the dense array antennas and the dynamic stacking, means that the data quality
is excellently maintained even at high speed. The system is compact, keeping the IDS GeoRadar dual polarized
antenna concept.

“Stream UP is the cutting-edge product for extensive utility mapping. Nothing has existed like this before,” said IDS
GeoRadar President Alberto Bicci. “The innovative suspended modular frame is safer than ever thanks to shell
structure and embedded anti-collision system. Furthermore, Stream UP is compliant with traffic regulations and there
is no need of escort vehicles.”

New frontier in GPR data analysis
IQMaps enables the end user to perform a quick, step by step, data analysis with the help of customisable processing
and analysis tools. This new piece of software is now available for both for skilled and non-skilled users for utility
mapping of large size projects, archaeological and environmental surveys.

“For our clients, their project managers and data processors, the new IQMaps software will enable them to transform
vast amounts of complex data faster than ever before,” said Colin Tickle, Drilline Managing Director, a beta tester of
the new software.

“We know IDS GeoRadar has a high level of commitment to research and innovation, which is why we are confident
that this new system and software is at the forefront of modern utility mapping and data processing technology.”

IQMaps is available to use with all the IDS GeoRadar Stream range. It allows you to easily process, analyse and
inspect data from dense array radar systems. The new software provides a smart target management for producing
the output. With its high responsiveness, IQMaps offers a tailored user interface for specific application with 3D
visualisation.

“IQMaps must be considered as a game changer,” said Davide Morandi, IDS GeoRadar Director GPR Product
Manager, who followed the software evolution. “I’m delighted to present this software to our customers knowing
that it has no close competitors in terms of data visualisation speed, usability and data analysis.”

IQMaps, the latest Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data analysis software that dramatically improves productivity
and provides real time processing and visualisation.

This pipe rehabilitation project was like no other. A brand-new hotel in Dubai needed our support and we were there every step of the way. The pipes within this hotel complex were full of concrete and in some cases 100% CSA. The grades of the concrete were unknown and the lengths to which the concrete were filling the pipe were also unknown.

The pipe diameters were DN150mm to DN200, and the pipework was plastic. These pipes were buried under concrete floor slabs and the access point was extremely limited. Due to the nature of the hotel complex, excavation was not an option. This was a brand-new hotel that was unable to open until problem was resolved.

The Tool for the Job

• Picote Miller Power Plus
• Its specification 18mm shaft, 18mtr length
• Pipe sizes DN100 to 300, Speed 500 to 1500RPM, 3 phase 400 volt

The Picote Miller Power Plus is the best system to resolve such a problem as it has the biggest capacity and the largest range of tools and accessories.

Getting Started

The assignment started in the basement of the hotel, which was a perfectly cool place to unpack all the equipment needed for the pipe rehabilitation. After the set up and calibration of the equipment, we conducted induction training and covered important health and safety aspects involved.

The client received a thorough run through of the machine and visual equipment, as well as an explanation of the tools and their uses. The CCTV was connected to enable us to get a visual and insight on the full scope of the pipe blockage.

Picote Miller Power Plus

The Miller Maxi Power Plus system is to be used in conjunction with a number of functional tools and the best to utilise concrete removal is the Twister Concrete Remover – the DN200 Twister Concrete remover for the power plus, which is designed to eat it’s way through concrete.

Next steps

The equipment was set up in place and connected to the 400-volt, 3 phase power supply in the basement of the hotel. The tool head was fixed onto the shaft and inserted into the drain – this had its challenges, due to the design of the chamber. However, it was pushed into position and started the machine. This was done gently enabling the miller to do the work and with a gentle pressure on/off motion. After a few minutes, the tool was removed, and progress was reviewed with the CCTV attached.

This process was repeated, multiple times, continuing onto the second day of operations. It was slow progress, but it was effective, and the tool was cutting through the concrete, albeit slowly.

Eventually the CCTV footage revealed that the leading taper of concrete had been successfully cleaned free in the DN200 section of drain, with an approximate length of 3 metres of concrete cleared, allowing for a free-flowing drain. Any excess concrete that fell into the submain was removed with rods.

The project managers across the site had been looking for a solution to unblock the pipes for a gruelling nine months and so were extremely relived when we had finally cleared the pipe.

Once we had demonstrated that our solution worked, we could therefore move on to other areas with blockage issues.

SECOND SCENARIO: Blocked Kitchen Pipes

In the kitchen of the hotel several sections of drain were blocked, and concrete was believed to be the cause.

We discovered a series of drains from various kitchen areas as several drains were running parallel to each other along the corridors.

Initially we were told the 150mm pipe had concrete in it, but it was discovered after the 90-degree bend. We tested a piece of cutting equipment that needed a straight pipe, however on completion of the test we realised that the concrete was blocking the pipe in the bend and we needed to navigate the curve of the pipe.

Problem

As shown in the image, the DN150 concrete cutter would not fit through 100mm access point into DN150 pipe. By removing the access point with a small excavation, we would be able to get the cutting tool in place. If we did not do this the cutting head would be off balance as the blocked pipe full of concrete only started on bend.

Solution

We had to dig a small hole in the floor to create a straight starting point for the cutter

Job Completion

This pipe cleaning work continued for a further 4 days working along the DN150 pipe. We took a slow and steady approach to cutting; checking the progress with the CCTV at regular intervals. We had to cut 5metres of concrete out of the line. After this was successfully complete, we supported the team and helped arrange the kitchen areas back into service after it was all piped back up. After filling in the hole and putting back the kitchen in the same condition as when we found it, we re-installed the flooring and the job was finished.

In Summary

The Picote Maxi Miller Plus with the Twister tool is an effective solution for cutting concrete. It has the power to deliver high torque and when used with care, can remove concrete even from a UPVC pipe.

Things to consider

Sometimes when we are on site, we might not have access to the correct power supply (400volt 3phase). We do offer a generator solution which is sometimes easier in a new building.

The kit is engineered to take the torque; therefore, it is much heavier to work with 18mm Shaft.

We also need to consider bends in the pipes – there are different tools needed when navigating the blockage at 90 degrees.

Overall, The Power plus is not just for cutting concrete, it can do so much more!