The Trenchless Asia 2024 conference and exhibition, a premier international event for trenchless technology professionals, took place over two days at the World Trade Center Metro Manila last July 16 and 17. This annual gathering serves as a valuable platform for experts to converge and discuss the latest trends and developments in the trenchless technology industry.
Focused on advancements in the Asia-Pacific region, this year's event provided a forum for professionals, practitioners, and experts to exchange insights, share experiences, and explore the forefront of trenchless technology.
The conference attracted a diverse audience, including engineers, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, academics, and government officials. Attendees engaged in discussions about the industry's current challenges and future opportunities, aiming to shape the direction of trenchless technology.
Trenchless Asia 2024 was marked by its rich array of presentations, showcasing innovative technologies, and offering networking opportunities. Participants had the opportunity to access a comprehensive conference program and had the chance to visit world-class exhibitors displaying cutting-edge trenchless techniques. Additionally, free Trenchless Technology sessions were offered by JBP Trenchless Training, further enriching the experience for attendees.
Importance of Trenchless Technology
During their free lectures, attendees experienced an intensive discussion and insightful sharing of knowledge and experiences from the speakers who are experts in their field. Here are some of the interesting things they shared about trenchless technology:
Trenchless technology, a rapidly expanding field within the construction and civil engineering industry, involves subsurface construction work that requires minimal or no trenching. This intelligent approach allows for the installation of pipelines and other infrastructure without disturbing the ground or pavement surface, except at specific entry and exit points. There are numerous advantages to this type of technology in construction and road repairs, for example. Two of the most important benefits are safety and efficiency that it offers, with good end results.
The term "trenchless" refers to methods that avoid breaking the ground, such as jacking, boring, horizontal directional drilling, coring, plowing, pipe ramming, pipe bursting, and micro-tunneling. These techniques make it possible to repair or to replace existing pipelines without the need to excavate and remove the old ones. How is this done?
Before commencing a trenchless sewer repair, a camera is inserted into the pipes to assess the damage and determine the best repair method. Two primary techniques are used: pipe bursting, which replaces the old pipe by breaking it and pulling a new one into place; and pipe lining, which involves inserting a new liner into the existing pipe.
In trenchless construction, underground tunnels are created slightly larger than the pipeline or conduit to be installed. The pipeline is then placed within these tunnels, leaving the surface above undisturbed.
Trenchless construction is particularly advantageous in areas where traditional open-trench methods would cause significant disruption, such as beneath busy highways or in locations where traffic impacts must be minimized.
Trenchless Technology for Manhole, Pipe and Sewer Repairs
Municipalities facing issues like inflow and infiltration in their sewer mains are prime candidates for trenchless technology. These issues place additional pressure on wastewater treatment facilities, forcing cities to spend more on treating excess water that enters the sewer system, ultimately driving up costs for residents.
Industrial facilities with subsurface infrastructure, such as sanitary sewers, pipelines, and manholes, also face increased costs and safety risks due to inefficient or damaged pipelines. Corrosive chemicals used in industries like food production, chemical processing, biofuels, and manufacturing can degrade process pipes, leading to internal infiltration problems.
To tackle these infrastructure challenges, companies specializing in trenchless sewer repair offer comprehensive solutions. These include pipe lining technologies and specialized liners for manhole rehabilitation and large-diameter pipe repair. Techniques such as cured-in-place pipe lining, slip lining, and UV-cured pipe lining are effective methods to reinforce the integrity of pipelines for both municipalities and industrial facilities. Homeowners can also benefit from trenchless technology, using epoxy liners to strengthen aging sewer laterals and enhance the reliability of their property’s plumbing system.
What are the benefits of trenchless repair methods?
Trenchless technology offers a cost-effective and convenient alternative to traditional excavation for sewer repairs, whether at work, home, or within your community. This method of pipe rehabilitation presents numerous advantages over conventional techniques.
1. Safer and Less Disruptive - Trenchless technology minimizes the risks from excavation near heavy industrial equipment. In municipalities or cities, traditional digging often means tearing up streets, disrupting public access, diverting traffic, and potentially interfering with essential utilities. Noise pollution and air pollution are also disruptive factors.
For industrial facilities, excavating the production floor can slow down or stop operations and endanger the structural integrity of the building, especially if it compromises the floor’s ability to support heavy machinery. No-dig pipe lining technology preserves property and avoids exposure to hazardous chemicals or sewer gas during repairs.
In municipal projects like manhole rehabilitation, trenchless methods eliminate the need for confined space entry, making the process safer and less intrusive by avoiding the disturbance of underground utility lines and structures.
2. Faster Completion - Excavation is often time consuming as it prolongs pipe rehabilitation projects, requiring days or even weeks to secure the area, access the pipeline, and restore the site afterward. On the other hand, trenchless pipe lining solutions can often be accomplished much faster. Some projects may even be completed in just a few hours. This swift process restores sewer functionality with minimal disruption to traffic or industrial production.
3. Cost-Effective and Affordable - The quicker turnaround of trenchless repairs translates into lower labor costs, as technicians can complete the work more efficiently. Rapid project completion also means damaged pipelines are restored to full capacity sooner, promoting more cost-effective operations for businesses and municipalities. Additionally, trenchless technology removes the need for expensive excavation equipment and restoration services required to repair the landscape that was disturbed or altered during the operations.
4. Environmentally Friendly - Traditional excavation can damage the environment by killing grass and vegetation, destroying topsoil, and disrupting natural drainage. Trenchless technology avoids these issues, preserving the greenery and plant life that communities value. Moreover, it reduces the risk of exposing areas to harmful chemicals or sewer gas during the repair process, safeguarding both people and the environment.
5. Proven Durability - Trenchless pipe lining technology is designed to withstand harsh conditions and prevent corrosion and rust, extending the pipeline’s lifespan. When performed by a reputable sewer repair company, these pipe liners can last over 50 years, matching the durability of brand-new pipes without the risks and costs associated with excavation.
Kuala Lumpur to Host Trenchless Asia 2025
Mark your calendars for May 21-22, 2025, as Kuala Lumpur becomes the epicenter of trenchless technology with the 14th International Exhibition and Conference on Trenchless Technology. This prestigious event, renowned as Asia's premier forum for trenchless professionals, will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
Trenchless Asia 2025 promises to be an exceptional gathering, showcasing the latest advancements and innovations in trenchless technology. This fourteenth edition of the highly acclaimed international conference and exhibition will bring together experts, practitioners, and industry leaders from across the region to explore cutting-edge solutions and discuss the future of the field.
---
Photos by: Marcelle P. Villegas
