Evaluating risks and cost factors for horizontal directional drilling and open cut
Neil H. Woodroffe, Spring 2007
Brief:
Municipal infrastructure such as transportation, waste disposal and utilities are rapidly expanding due to an increase in urbanization. Subsequently, engineers and contractors are faced with having to designate the most effective method of installing new buried infrastructure while being mindful of cost considerations. In order to determine the most feasible underground construction method, various risks and cost factors were assessed and analyzed through a comprehensive survey solicited to twenty-eight contractors in various geographical regions throughout the United States and Canada. The intent of the study was to determine the inherent impact of a contingency plan, price of a project, eco-social impacts, and project consideration factors, as well as quantifying a cost comparison between Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) versus traditional open cut construction methods. The results of the survey questionnaire were used to create a software "calculator" tool (Smart Calc) to assist engineers and contractors. This thesis is relevant to practitioners and researchers because it identifies and describes risks and cost factors used in creating a planning tool for pipelines with small diameters in an urban environment. The data indicates that utilizing HDD can minimize risks and reduce the overall costs of construction in an urban environment.