TRACTO offers more than just state-of-the-art NODIG systems; customers also benefit from a complete range of products, accessories and services for trenchless construction. One of these is the TRACTO-GEOSERVICE, which contributes to the success of NODIG operations by analysing the ground beforehand. This leads to the selection of the most suitable NODIG technology and tools.
In order to plan a construction project seriously in terms of time and cost, all parameters must be clearly defined. When laying pipes and sewers, it is therefore essential to carry out a thorough analysis of the geological conditions of the ground, i.e. to know its exact composition in order to avoid unpleasant surprises when drilling. It is not uncommon for projects to fail because the necessary ground information is missing or incomplete, leading to unplanned difficulties. In the worst cases, poorly planned boreholes can damage infrastructure, requiring the repair of roads, buildings, foundations or existing pipes.
Professional ground analysis as a basis
Of course, not every planner or site manager has access to all aspects of this knowledge. For this reason, since 2015 TRACTO has been offering its clients access to geotechnical analyses through its own geoservice, which - as an overall interpretation for the drilling process - can effectively support construction projects through knowledge of HDD drilling technology in combination with in-depth geological and geotechnical knowledge.
The most commonly requested service is ground investigation and consultancy for HDD drilling up to 300KN. This includes professional ground analysis for projects using steerable drilling rigs, based on geoscientific maps and other information freely available information throughout Germany. If this is not sufficient, the geological and geotechnical conditions of a construction project are investigated on site or the construction documents are examined. The most important aspects are then interpreted for the drilling process.
The client's responsibility
Dan Lingenauber has been responsible for geological service at TRACTO since 2019 and emphasises: "It is important that the client provides the relevant soil information in his tender, so that a contractor can make a serious calculation by already taking into account the appropriate NODIG system and any additional time required". Some large clients, such as electricity network operators, therefore commission TRACTO Geoservice directly with the analysis as soon as new drilling routes are planned, and also extend this order time and again.
However, it often happens that the clients do not fulfil this obligation and the contractors then contact Geoservice themselves. "However, this often only happens when something has gone wrong, the borehole is stuck or has broken down," explains Dan Lingenauber, who is also a sought-after contact for TRACTO sales internally, for example when a customer's construction project has already been completed and a suitable machine still needs to be found. The geological expertise of the research and development department is also called upon for new and further developments.
Many parameters to consider
TRACTO-GEOSERVICE's geotechnical report for HDD drilling describes the rough framework of what can be expected geotechnically during drilling. It deals with technical drilling issues such as wear potential, borehole stability, possible obstacles and much more.
The geotechnical report is also an important tool for contractors if, for example, additional negotiations become necessary because the ground was not originally assessed. In seminars, webinars and training courses, TRACTO clients are also provided with important information in this area, so that they use the relevant basic knowledge in their work.
However, there are situations where a map-based assessment is no longer sufficient, where there is too little information to drill a reliable borehole, and where a full geotechnical investigation is required. This is where TRACTO’s geoservice reaches its limits and an intensive external ground investigation has to be commissioned.
DIN 18324 of the General Technical Contract Conditions of Part C of the VOB can be used as the basis for a geotechnical investigation. DVGW regulation GW321 and the technical guidelines of the DCA also contain relevant specifications. These regulations have been drawn up specifically for the HDD method and include specifications for materials, construction, invoicing and documentation obligations, as well as specifying exactly which geotechnical parameters are required for HDD.
However, items such as the bearing capacity of the mine workings, groundwater conditions, soil statics, water hardness and content and much more need to be described. This incomplete list alone shows the complexity of the subject and how quickly unexpected results for one of these parameters can have a significant impact on the process itself and also on cost calculations.
Although Dan Lingenauber rarely receives direct feedback on his work, it is clear to see that the demand for geological expertise has increased significantly in recent years and that the Geoservice, as an important part of TRACTO's overall service, enhances the overall quality of customer care.
In order to plan a construction project seriously in terms of time and cost, all parameters must be clearly defined. When laying pipes and sewers, it is therefore essential to carry out a thorough analysis of the geological conditions of the ground, i.e. to know its exact composition in order to avoid unpleasant surprises when drilling. It is not uncommon for projects to fail because the necessary ground information is missing or incomplete, leading to unplanned difficulties. In the worst cases, poorly planned boreholes can damage infrastructure, requiring the repair of roads, buildings, foundations or existing pipes.
Professional ground analysis as a basis
Of course, not every planner or site manager has access to all aspects of this knowledge. For this reason, since 2015 TRACTO has been offering its clients access to geotechnical analyses through its own geoservice, which - as an overall interpretation for the drilling process - can effectively support construction projects through knowledge of HDD drilling technology in combination with in-depth geological and geotechnical knowledge.
The most commonly requested service is ground investigation and consultancy for HDD drilling up to 300KN. This includes professional ground analysis for projects using steerable drilling rigs, based on geoscientific maps and other information freely available information throughout Germany. If this is not sufficient, the geological and geotechnical conditions of a construction project are investigated on site or the construction documents are examined. The most important aspects are then interpreted for the drilling process.
The client's responsibility
Dan Lingenauber has been responsible for geological service at TRACTO since 2019 and emphasises: "It is important that the client provides the relevant soil information in his tender, so that a contractor can make a serious calculation by already taking into account the appropriate NODIG system and any additional time required". Some large clients, such as electricity network operators, therefore commission TRACTO Geoservice directly with the analysis as soon as new drilling routes are planned, and also extend this order time and again.
However, it often happens that the clients do not fulfil this obligation and the contractors then contact Geoservice themselves. "However, this often only happens when something has gone wrong, the borehole is stuck or has broken down," explains Dan Lingenauber, who is also a sought-after contact for TRACTO sales internally, for example when a customer's construction project has already been completed and a suitable machine still needs to be found. The geological expertise of the research and development department is also called upon for new and further developments.
Many parameters to consider
TRACTO-GEOSERVICE's geotechnical report for HDD drilling describes the rough framework of what can be expected geotechnically during drilling. It deals with technical drilling issues such as wear potential, borehole stability, possible obstacles and much more.
The geotechnical report is also an important tool for contractors if, for example, additional negotiations become necessary because the ground was not originally assessed. In seminars, webinars and training courses, TRACTO clients are also provided with important information in this area, so that they use the relevant basic knowledge in their work.
However, there are situations where a map-based assessment is no longer sufficient, where there is too little information to drill a reliable borehole, and where a full geotechnical investigation is required. This is where TRACTO’s geoservice reaches its limits and an intensive external ground investigation has to be commissioned.
DIN 18324 of the General Technical Contract Conditions of Part C of the VOB can be used as the basis for a geotechnical investigation. DVGW regulation GW321 and the technical guidelines of the DCA also contain relevant specifications. These regulations have been drawn up specifically for the HDD method and include specifications for materials, construction, invoicing and documentation obligations, as well as specifying exactly which geotechnical parameters are required for HDD.
However, items such as the bearing capacity of the mine workings, groundwater conditions, soil statics, water hardness and content and much more need to be described. This incomplete list alone shows the complexity of the subject and how quickly unexpected results for one of these parameters can have a significant impact on the process itself and also on cost calculations.
Although Dan Lingenauber rarely receives direct feedback on his work, it is clear to see that the demand for geological expertise has increased significantly in recent years and that the Geoservice, as an important part of TRACTO's overall service, enhances the overall quality of customer care.
