Thrust Boring

What is Thrust Boring?

Thrust boring, or auger boring, is a jack and bore drilling method typically used for installing steel pipe
casing beneath an existing surface where the risk of hole collapse whilst installing larger diameters has
been identified or where the grade is critical. Thrust boring, is typically performed by placing an auger
equipped with a cutting head inside a 200mm to 1500mm diameter steel pipe. The auger is then attached
to the rotation shaft of a thrust boring machine. Steel pipe casing is typically installed in 6 metre lengths
so an entry pit at least 10.6 metres long is required to accommodate the combined length of the pipe and
thrust boring machinery.

The Thrust Boring Machine

The thrust boring machine is capable of drilling in a variety of ground conditions from sand through to
reasonably hard rock making it a dependable and economical way of drilling.

Auger boring can be effectively used to install pipe sections with a maximum combined length of no more
than 70 metres.

This boring method generally utilises an auger that is placed inside a section of steel pipe, as shown in
slide 1. A large rectangular pit is usually dug on each side of the work area to accommodate the steel
pipe and machinery used in this procedure.

The pipe casing is jacked into place as the drilling is performed with any excess soil transferred out of the
pipe by the auger’s blades, as shown in slide 2.

An exit pit is usually dug on the opposite end of the work area although it is not always required.

Once the final section of casing has reached the exit pit (as shown in slide 3), the auger and cutting bit
assembly is removed. After the thrust boring machinery has been detached from the steel pipe the carrier
pipe or conduits are installed through the casing. Where grade pipe is installed in the case of on grade
carrier pipes timber blocks are strapped to the pipe to help maintain grade. Any remaining space is
usually filled with a Hi flow grout. Once the installed pipe work is connected to existing or new
infrastructure both the entry and exit pits can be backfilled.
Step 1
A large rectangular pit is usually dug on each side of the work area to accommodate the steel
pipe and machinery used in this procedure. The pipe casing is jacked into place as the
drilling is performed with any excess soil transferred out of the pipe by the auger’s blades.

Step 2
Thrust boring is typically performed by placing an auger equipped with a cutting head inside
a 220mm to 1500mm diameter steel pipe. The auger is then attached to the rotation shaft of a
thrust boring machine. Steel pipe casing is typically installed in 6 metre lengths so an entry
put at least 10.6 metres long is required to accommodate the combine length of the pipe and
thrust boring machinery. An exit pit is usually dug on the opposite end of the work are
although it is not always required. Auger boring can be effectively used to install pipe
sections with a maximum combined length of no more than 70 metres.

Step 3
Thrust boring generally works best in soils that are located about the groundwater table.
When groundwater is present during a boring operation, special dewatering measures must
be taken to prevent the steel pipe casing from being flooded with water. Once the final
section of casing has reached the exit pit, the auger and cutting bit assembly is removed.
After the thrust boring machinery has been detached from the steel pipe the carrier pipe or
conduits are installed through the casing. Where grade pipe is installed, in the case of grade
carrier pipes, timber blocks are strapped to the pipe to help maintain grade. Any remaining
space is usually filled with a Hi flow grout. Once the installed pipe work is connected to
existing or new infrastructure both the entry and exit its can be backfilled.
Thrust Boring

Thrust Boring is also part of “Flora Boring” service rendering to our valuable customers. In this field we
are in well experienced hand and never fails to develop and use modern method and strategy.

To handle such type of works we can able to do Thrust Boring from 4” to 56”. We are using American
Machine Ditch Witch to work from 4” to 20” and another machine bore it type fro 12” to 30”, and Boland
Machine for 30” to 56”.
We done major works by using this machinery as mentioned in list of job carried out.

Thrust Boring Method Statement :

General

The Thrust Auger Boring is a method of Non-Destructive Road Crossing (NDRC). It is a method of
simultaneously jacking a pipe horizontally through the earth while removing the soil by rotating auger,
which is ahead of pipe.

Our BOR-IT machine model 24 is unit constructed, with ear selected direct drive rotation and controlled
pressure hydraulic thrust. The machine had been designed to thrust bore upto 750mm dia.

It is equipped with auger, cutting heads machine power is provided by diesel engine mounted at the
rear of the machine. The engine RPM and selectable gear of the machine control rotation speed. The
machine is having a master casing pusher that encloses the spoil paddle assembly.

Special head unit is fitted in the auger in front of the casing to actually bore a hole for the casing to
enter. There is special head for different soil conditions whether loose, stable or rocky.

Introduction to Method Statement

In this particular project, the thrust boring shall be carried out in dry soil conditions and the water table
has effects.

Bore-IT Machine Model 24 shall be used in this project with standard cutting Head. The cutting head dia
meter is 5mm greater than the outer diameter of the casing.

Procedures
1- Set out thrust receiving pits as per approved drawing ensuring that the location is free of obstruction
and services.

2- All safety measures needed are to be taken in to consideration prior commencement of excavation,
including warning taps and concrete barricades.

3- Thrust and receiving pits shall be excavated as per relevant approved drawings, nothing that trench
shall be free of water by using dewatering pump at all times, during the operations, if found necessary.

4- The dimension of the Thrust pit shall be 10 meter long with a width of 2 meter for jacking 6-meter
long pipe sleeves. If 3 meter long sleeves to be used, only the length of the Thrust pit shall be 7 meter
depth to decided by the consultant / Client. But normally, the required for 200mm dia casing is between
(1.2 to 1.5) meter and for 300mm dia the depth is between (1.5 to 2) meter.

5- Thrust and receiving pits excavation shall be 3 meter away from the edge of the road asphalt or 2
meter from the edge of the footpath.

6- Thrust pit shall be leveled and compacted to provide solid bid for the guiding tracks for proper
alignment and level fixing at the required depth. Concrete thrust blocks shall be firmly fixed in
excavated trench.

7- If the crossing is longer than 30 meter, it is recommended that 5cm thickness of the concrete to be
castled in the Thrust pit to provide solid bed for proper alignment.

8- Thrust boring machine shall be installed in driving (Thrust) pit. The cradle guides shall be installed in
front of machine to the correct line and level. 

9- 300 or 200mm steel sleeves pipes 6 meter a long as required, shall be used in driving operation
which will be initially slow to ensure that thrust boring is to the correct level & alignment. The spoil
shall be retraced from the driving pit side.

10- Prior to work commencement, level control points shall be established to keep level monitoring
during Thrust bore operation. These points to be fixed at edges and center of existing asphalt read.
Level check by assigned surveyor to be recorded before, during and after completing proposed Thrust
bore. 

11- 6 / 3 meter length of 200 / 300mm dia steel pipe sleeves shall be jacked with consequent

12- 6 / 3 meter length pipe welded and jacked in the same manner.

13- The driving operation shall be continued till the head of cutter appears in the receiving pit side. At
this stage, the auger shall be retracted from the driving pit side.

14- While taking all precautionary measures to avoid any settlement to the existing asphalt road as per
requirements of concerned departments and applicable specification.

15- Once NDRC operation has been completed, the equipment shall be dismantled. The contractor shall
reinstate the area.

16- Tolerances of misalignment (Vertical / Horizontal) are to be according to Contract specifications.

i.e. The line and grade combined is 200mm / 100m. Installed pipes in the casing will be tested
separately.

17- Removing of excavated material outside of pit from 6” to 12” by manually. If it is morethan 12” upto
30” by manual with our crane.

Thrust Bore works under soft sand area

- Various types of cutter heads used for different types of sand. Under soft sand area normal cutter
heads used for.

Thrust Bore works under rock area

- Various types of special cutter heads used for different types rocks. Under rock area special heads
used for.
- Minimum depth of cover over the crown of casing pipe shall be according to the requirements of
contract.
- Minimum clearance between the thrust bit and edge of the road according to the requirement of

contract.