This guide describes the design, selection considerations, and installation procedures for the placement of polyethylene pipe or conduit below ground using maxi-horizontal directional drilling equipment. The pipes or conduits may be used for various applications including telecommunications, electric power, natural gas, petroleum, water lines, sewer lines, or other fluid transport. Horizontal directional drilling is a form of trenchless technology. The equipment and procedures are intended to minimize surface damage, restoration requirements, and disruption of vehicular or maritime traffic with little or no interruption of other existing lines or services. Mini-horizontal directional drilling (min-HDD) is typically used for the relatively shorter distances and smaller diameter pipes associated with local utility distribution lines. In comparison, maxihorizontal directional drilling (maxi-HDD) is typically used for longer distances and larger diameter pipes common in major river crossings. Applications that are intermediate to the mini-HDD or maxi-HDD categories may utilize appropriate “medi” equipment of intermediate size and capabilities. In such cases, the design guidelines and installation practices would follow those described for the mini- or maxi-HDD categories, as judged to be most suitable for each situation.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

1. Scope

1.1 This guide describes the design, selection considerations, and installation procedures for the placement of polyethylene pipe or conduit below ground using maxi-horizontal directional drilling equipment. The pipes or conduits may be used for various applications including telecommunications, electric power, natural gas, petroleum, water lines, sewer lines, or other fluid transport.

1.2 Horizontal directional drilling is a form of trenchless technology. The equipment and procedures are intended to minimize surface damage, restoration requirements, and disruption of vehicular or maritime traffic with little or no interruption of other existing lines or services. Mini-horizontal directional drilling (min-HDD) is typically used for the relatively shorter distances and smaller diameter pipes associated with local utility distribution lines. In comparison, maxi-horizontal directional drilling (maxi-HDD) is typically used for longer distances and larger diameter pipes common in major river crossings. Applications that are intermediate to the mini-HDD or maxi-HDD categories may utilize appropriate “medi” equipment of intermediate size and capabilities. In such cases, the design guidelines and installation practices would follow those described for the mini- or maxi-HDD categories, as judged to be most suitable for each situation.

1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of the regulatory limitations prior to use. Section 6 contains general safety information related to the use of maxi-horizontal directional drilling equipment.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering Design and Construction Purposes

D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils

D1586 Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils

D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes

D2113 Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling of Rock for Site Investigation

D2166 Test Method for Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive Soil

D2435 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Consolidation Properties of Soils Using Incremental Loading

D2447 Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe, Schedules 40 and 80, Based on Outside Diameter

D2513 Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Gas Pressure Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings

D2850 Test Method for Unconsolidated-Undrained Triaxial Compression Test on Cohesive Soils

D3035 Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe (DR-PR) Based on Controlled Outside Diameter

D4186 Test Method for One-Dimensional Consolidation Properties of Saturated Cohesive Soils Using Controlled-Strain Loading

D4220 Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples

D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils

D4767 Test Method for Consolidated Undrained Triaxial Compression Test for Cohesive Soils

D5084 Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Saturated Porous Materials Using a Flexible Wall Permeameter

F714 Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe (DR-PR) Based on Outside Diameter

F1804 Practice for Determining Allowable Tensile Load for Polyethylene (PE) Gas Pipe During Pull-In Installation

F2620 Practice for Heat Fusion Joining of Polyethylene Pipe and Fittings

Keywords

Telecommunications; Underground installation--water supply/distribution systems; Water supply/distribution systems; Conduits; Design--piping systems; Electrical power systems; Fluid transport systems; Maxi-horizontal directional drilling; Natural gas service systems; Petroleum products; Polyethylene (PE) pipe; Rivers; Sewer pipe (thermoplastic);

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 83.140.30 (Plastic pipes and fittings for non-fluid use); 93.025 (External water conveyance systems); 93.030 (External sewerage systems)

Citing ASTM Standards

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