Modeling of Productivity for Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Operation and Applications

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a growing method for installation of pipes in urban areas and where trenching is impossible or undesirable; such as in crossing rivers, lakes, railways, and runways in airports. This technique utilizes down-hole cutting heads to create a pilot borehole before it is enlarged with back reamers to allow pulling back of a product pipe. The utilization of HDD for the installation of underground infrastructure (i.e., water, wastewater, oil and gas pipes, telecommunication, and power conduits), has shown a rapid growth compared to other trenchless technologies. HDD can install a range of pipe diameters from 2 to 60 inches utilizing different pipe materials including steel, high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and ductile iron pipe (DIP) with minimum surface and daily life disruptions. Estimation of HDD productivity, project duration, and quantity of materials required, is a difficult task due to variable productivity conditions such soil, project, contractor, and machine conditions involved in operation. This paper aims to introduce HDD productivity prediction model, and to present the HDD user interface as a planning tool for operation.