Description of Process
Pipe bursting is a preferred technology for maintaining the existing diameter and upsizing existing pipes.  It follows the path of the existing pipe and has fewer social costs and causes less traffic disruption than open-trench construction methods.

On an international scale, water, sewer, gas and other utilities are often in need of replacement.  Most are located in congested urban areas, under buildings, roadways or expensive and protected landscapes and often surrounded by other services.  Replacement of these pipes by traditional open-trench methods is often not viable and can be solved with Kembla’s pipe bursting services.

Dynamic pipe bursting is characterised by the bursting force being generated from a reciprocating piston within the bursting head.

Typical Applications
Dynamic or Pneumatic pipe bursting is used in gravity pipelines where the internal diameter of the host pipe is required to be maintained or increased.

Due to the hydraulic hoses trailing from the bursting head through the new pipe it is not used for drinking water applications due to the potential for contamination.

It differs from static pipe bursting by the fact that the winch is used to guide the bursting head only and can generally be installed in an existing access chamber requiring only one excavation at the pipe launch shaft.

Installation
As shown in the schematic above, the winch is setup within an existing access chamber at one end of the host pipe.  At the other end, the bursting head is attached to the front of the new pipe.

The pipe burster then works it’s way along the host pipe, pulling in the new HDPE pipe in behind it.

Available Sizes
Kembla Watertech has been pipe bursting since 2001 and has invested in exclusive technology enabling the bursting and upsizing of pressure and gravity lines from 100mm to 500mm diameter.

Materials
Kembla Watertech’s dynamic pipe bursting process uses a string of butt welded HDPE pipe and associated PE fittings.  Limited applications also exist for restrained joint PVC pipe materials.

Dynamic Pipe Bursting Brochure