New Generation of Design Tools for Directional Drilling Projects

This paper describes a framework for the design and construction of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) projects implemented in a new HDD software design program BoreAid. The framework consists of six interlinked modules: 1) bore planner; 2) pipe design; 3) drill planner; 4) bore pressure estimator; 5) equipment/tooling selection; and 6) cost estimator. Each module is discussed in detail to demonstrate how this new tool can be used as a design aid to select product pipe that meets the design requirements of the HDD project. This paper also describes PPI-BoreAid, a free online tool - developed by the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) in conjunction with eTrenchless Group Incorporated - that allows engineers to perform a preliminary analysis of polyethylene (PE) pipe installed using HDD in accordance with the PPI Handbook of Polyethylene Pipe and ASTM F1962 design methods.