Firm Uses Innovative Method for Pipe Replacement Project : CEG

Grundocrack’s Pneumatic Pipe Bursting System is typically deployed where existing underground utility pipes have failed beyond the point of repair. The existing pipe must be breakable if this system is to be used.

John J. Brennan Construction Inc. has a story few companies, let alone contractors, can tell.

The family company can look back on a long history of success – 120 years. His areas of expertise are extremely diverse, including site construction, demolition, heavy highway and utility infrastructure work, including construction and repairs of water, sewer and electricity.

In order to meet the demands of its diversity, Brennan has an extremely large and diverse range of equipment that enables the company to react quickly when necessary, especially with regard to its supply tasks and the ability to respond immediately to emergency calls.

“One of the keys to surviving 120 years is surrounding yourself with highly qualified people and creating a good working environment,” said David Brennan, president. “From our highly skilled management to our sales force, the pride in working for our company is very proud, as the average tenure with the company shows, with many employees almost 30 years old.

“At Brennan, we have an innovative mindset and our leaders are committed to new technology to deliver the best possible value and performance to our customers. The construction industry is an ever-evolving industry and our experience with emerging technologies shows our understanding of that Need to move into new areas. ” and implementation of the latest available equipment and techniques. “

Brennan’s reputation is built on performance and has earned the company an impressive list of high-profile repeat customers including Skanska USA, Turner Construction, United Illuminating, Dimeo Construction Company, PSEG Power, Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut, Regional Water Authority, Northeast Utilities and Yankee Gas as well as extensive ones underground supply works for many municipalities in the region.

In line with Brennan’s commitment to innovative solutions, the company has made significant investments in pneumatic bursting systems over the past decade to replace existing underground utilities.

Grundorack Pneumatic pipe burst is a method that was developed by TT Technologies Inc. Simply put, pipe bursting allows cast iron, clay, concrete and other fragile pipes to be replaced with a new pipe of the same or larger diameter with very little or, in some cases, no excavation or disturbance of the pipe environment.

Grundocrack’s Pneumatic Pipe Bursting System is typically deployed where existing underground utility pipes have failed beyond the point of repair. The existing pipe must be breakable if this system is to be used.

How it works

The Grundocrack is attached to the new replacement pipe near an entry point to the existing damaged pipe. This would typically be a pit or manhole. A rope is attached to the head of the Grundocrack, which is attached to a winch based at the exit point of the pipe replacement. This cable goes through the existing pipe and is used as a guide for the Grundocrack when it breaks through the existing pipe and places the new pipe in the same place. The cable is just a guide; Continuous hitting of the pneumatic tool (Grundocrack) actually breaks the old pipe.

The Grundocrack pipe bursting system effectively hammers its way through the old pipe, displacing the remains into the surrounding soil and at the same time placing the new pipe behind it. Typically, the new pipe is made of high-density polyurethane (HDPE). Another advantage of burst lining is that it is the only trenchless method of pipe rehabilitation and replacement that allows the original pipe to expand.

Earlier this year, John J. Brennan Construction’s burst lining expertise was enlisted in the City of West Haven, Conn.

West Haven had a serious problem with a damaged section of an underground sewer pipe (15 feet below the surface) near Savin Rock, an old amusement park on the town’s beachfront. That particular job required the 200-foot by 12-inch replacement. HDPE fusible pipe.

“The diameter of the pipe was not a particular problem for us,” said Nick Teodosio, Superintendent General of John J. Brennan’s Water and Wastewater Company. “With this method we were able to replace pipes up to a diameter of 1.2 m and regardless of the pipe size, the old pipe is simply pushed into the surrounding soil.”

The big advantage of this job was the very little traffic disruption.

“Using the traditional methodology, we would have excavated most of the road surface, routing traffic around the area until the excavation and pipe replacement was complete, and then there would have been another traffic disruption while the surface was being repaved,” said Teodosio. “That’s just one advantage of this system. Another big advantage for us is that you do the job with a significantly smaller crew – there is a significant risk of street colonization. This job was given on an emergency basis. With the 4.5 m deep and 60 m long running track, the entire road would have been closed for several weeks. We were in and out in one day. Not only did this save construction costs, but the city should have paid for police protection on the site throughout the project. “

It is important to note that the winch that pulls the cable does not drive this process; Rather, it is simply a guide for the basic crack. The horsepower for operation is generated by 100 psi air power. Before the pipe is pulled, underground sections are made on the new pipe at 20-ft. Segments. This ensures that in the unlikely event that the Grundocrack is hung underground, the crew can know exactly where the pipe is.

During the installation process, the pneumatic power of the attached air compressor keeps the Grundocrack pounding, creating a path 1.5 inches larger than the existing pipe. The compressor must be a sizeable machine producing a minimum of 300 cu. ft. lbs. the compression.

Once the ground crack has reached its destination, the head, which is larger than the diameter of the pipe, is removed. The new pipe is connected and construction is essentially complete.

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