NORTH HARRIS COUNTY REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY

STANDARD SPECIFICATION HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING

Section 02450

HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING

PART 1 GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

A. This Section includes:

1. Installing water line by directional drilling methods.

1.02 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

A. Unit Prices.

1. Payment for water lines installed by horizontal directional drilling is on linear foot
basis for each size of pipe installed. Measure along axis of pipe and include
fittings and valves. Payment for excavation to determine obstructions will be
made based on unit prices for extra Work.

2. Refer to Section 01270 – “Measurement and Payment” for unit price procedures.

1.03 REFERENCES

A. NSF 61 – Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects.

B. AWWA C900 - Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pressure Pipe and Fabricated Fittings, 4 In.
Through 60 In.

C. AWWA C906 - Polyethylene (PE) Pressure Pipe and Fittings, 4 In. Through 65 In. for
Waterworks

1.04 SUBMITTALS

A. Conform to requirements of Specification Section 01330- Submittal Procedures.

B. Pre-construction submittal package to include the following items:

1. Horizontal Directional Drilling methodology. A brief description of

directional drilling methodology. Description to be sufficient to convey:

a. Names of directional boring machine operator and directional boring

machine navigational equipment operator.

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b. Manufacturer and type of directional drilling equipment proposed.

c. Satisfactory documentation of worker’s directional drilling

qualifications.

d. Number and duration of shifts planned to be worked each day.

e. Proposed pit sizes and locations.

f. Sequence of operation.

g. Locations of directional drilling equipment and work sites, including

verification of pilot bore location.

h. Method of soils transportation, surface storage and disposal location.

i. Identify critical utility crossings and special precautions proposed.

2. Contractor shall submit for approval a drilling fluid management plan detailing
proposed methods to control, collect, transport, and dispose of drilling fluids
and spoils.

3. Provide means for accurately monitoring location of pilot bore throughout bore
using electronic detection system. Electronic detection equipment must be
capable of achieving accuracy within 0.1 feet at all points throughout bore.

4. Proposed changes shall be submitted in writing to the Project Manager and

receive written approval prior to construction. The proposed entry point must
remain in the location shown on the approved submittal.

5. The following product data:

a. Pipe size

b. Dimensionality

c. Pressure class per applicable standard

d. Recommended minimum bending radius

e. Recommended maximum safe pulling force and controls to help not

exceed that force

f. Fusion technician qualifications and welding procedures

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C. Post construction submittals shall contain at least the following:

1. As-recorded Information

a. The as-recorded plan and profile shall reflect the actual installed
alignment, and reflect the horizontal offset from the baseline and depth
of cover.

b. All fittings, valves, or other appurtenances shall also be referenced and

shown.

c. A daily project log, along with tracking log sheets, should they be used,
shall be provided. Tracking log sheet data, should it be employed, shall
include inclination, depth, azimuth, and hydraulic pull-back and
rotational force measured.

2. Approved datalogger device reports.

3. When fusion joints are used, fusion joint documentation containing the following:

a. Pipe size and thickness

b. Machine size

c. Fusion technician identification

d. Job identification

e. Fusion joint number

f. Fusion, heating and rag pressure setting

g. Heat plate temperature

h. Time stamp

i. Heating and cool down time of fusion

j. Ambient temperature

1.05 RELATED REQUIREMENTS

A. Section 01270 – “Measurement and Payment”

B. Section 01330 – “Submittal Procedures”

C. Section 01555 – “Traffic Control and Regulation”

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D. Section 01576 – “Waste Material Disposal”

E. Section 02317 – “Excavation and Backfill for Utilities”

F. Section 02505 – “High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipe”

G. Section 02506 – “Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe”

H. Section 02514 – “Disinfection of Water Lines”

I. Section 02515 – “Hydrostatic Testing of Pipelines”

J. Section 02951 – “Pavement Repair and Resurfacing”

1.06 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Work specified herein shall be performed by trained workers who have minimum of 5
years of experience with directional drilling equipment and have successfully
completed directional drilling installations of utilities similar in size and nature.

B. Similar installations: Horizontal Directional Drilling completedin an urbanized area

with geological conditions similar to those at the site. River crossing installations and
cable or phone duct installations are not considered similar due to significantly
different drilling techniques involved.

C. When fusible pipe is used, fusion technician shall be fully qualified by the pipe
supplier to install fusible pipe of the type and size being used. Qualification shall be
current as of the actual date of fusion performance on the project.

1.07 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

A. Design Criteria

1. Select appropriate pipe to carry forces resulting from pull-back of pipe through
reamed hole, or other construction loads in combination with overburden, earth
and external hydrostatic loads, and internal pressure.

2. Provide pipe with inside diameter conforming to minimum requirements of

Plans.

3. Offset soil borings at least 50 feet from centerline.

1.08 – 1.09 NOT USED

1.10 DEFINITIONS

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A. Horizontal Directional Drilling: A method of installing pipe that begins with boring a
small, horizontal hole (pilot hole) underground with a continuous string of steel drill
rod. When bore head and rod emerge at opposite side of crossing, a special cutter,
called a reamer, is attached and pulled back through the pilot hole to pull pipe through.

B. Pilot Hole: Establishes path of drill rod and subsequent location of pipe.

C. Pilot Hole Reaming: Operation consists of using appropriate tool to open pilot hole to
a slightly larger diameter than water line.

1.11-1.13 NOT USED

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.01 MANUFACTURER(S) (NOT USED)

2.02 MATERIALS AND/OR EQUIPMENT

A. Water Line

1. Provide AWWA C906 HDPE Pipe with fused joints in accordance with
Specification Section 02505 – “High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipe”.

2. Provide Certa-Lok C900 RJIB (Restrained Joint Integral Bell) DR14 PVC Pipe
in accordance with AWWA C900, and Section 02506 – “Polyvinyl Chloride
Pipe”.

3. Provide fusible AWWA C900 PVC with minimum DR18 pressure ratings and
blue in color in accordance with Section 02506 – “Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe”.

B. Drilling System Equipment

1. General

a. The directional drilling equipment, as a minimum, shall consist of a

directional drilling rig of sufficient capacity to perform the bore(s) and
pull-back of the pipe(s), a drilling fluid mixing & delivery system of
sufficient capacity to successfully complete the crossing, a guidance
system to accurately guide boring operations, and trained and
competent personnel to operate the system.

b. All equipment shall be in good, safe operating condition with sufficient

supplies, materials and spare parts on hand to maintain the system in
good working order for the duration of this project.

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2. Drilling Rig

a. The directional drilling machine shall consist of a hydraulically

powered system to rotate, push and pull drill pipe while delivering a
pressurized fluid mixture to a drill head. The machine shall be
anchored to withstand the pulling, pushing and rotating forces required
to complete the project.

b. The drilling rig hydraulic system shall be of sufficient pressure and

volume to power drilling operations. The hydraulic system shall be
free from leaks.

c. The drilling rig shall have a system to monitor pull-back hydraulic

pressure during pull-back operations.

3. Drill Head

a. The horizontal directional drilling equipment shall produce a stable

fluid lined tunnel with the use of a steer-able drill head and any
subsequent pre-reaming heads.

b. The system must be able to control the depth and direction of the
drilling operation.

c. Drill head shall contain all necessary cutters and fluid jets for the
operation, and shall be of the appropriate design for the ground medium
being drilled.

4. Drilling Fluid System

a. Drilling Fluid (Drilling Mud)

1) Drilling fluid shall be composed of clean water and the

appropriate additive(s) for the fluid to be used. Water shall be
from a clean source and shall meet the mixing requirements of
the mixture manufacturer(s).

2) The water and additives shall be mixed thoroughly to assure the

absence of any clumps or clods. No hazardous additives may
be used.

3) Drilling fluid shall be maintained at a viscosity sufficient to

suspend cuttings and maintain the integrity of bore wall(s).

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4) Drilling fluid shall be disposed of off-site in accordance with

local, state and federal requirements and/or permit conditions.

5) No additional chemicals or polymer surfactants shall be allowed

to be added to the drilling fluid unless they have been submitted
per this Specification.

b. Mixing System

1) A drilling fluid mixing system shall be of sufficient size to mix

and deliver drilling fluid for the project.

2) The mixing system shall be able to ensure thorough mixing of

the drilling fluid. The drilling fluid reservoir tank shall be sized
for adequate storage of the fluid.

3) The mixing system shall continually agitate the drilling fluid

during drilling operations.

c. Drilling Fluid Delivery and Recovery System

1) The drilling fluid pumping system shall have a minimum

capacity to supply drilling fluid in accordance with the drilling
equipment pull-back rating at a constant required pressure.

2) The delivery system shall have filters or other appropriate in-

line equipment to prevent solids from being pumped into the
drill pipe.

3) Used drilling fluid and drilling fluid spilled during drilling

operations shall be contained and properly disposed of. The use
of spill containment measures shall be maintained around drill
rigs, drilling fluid mixing system, entry and exit locations and
drilling fluid recycling system (if used) to prevent spills into the
surrounding environment. Pumps, vacuum truck(s), and/or
storage of sufficient size shall be in place to contain excess
drilling fluid.

4) A closed-loop drilling fluid system and a drilling fluid cleaning

system should be used to whatever extent practical, depending
upon project size and conditions. Under no circumstances shall

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drilling fluid that has escaped containment be reused in the

drilling system.

5. Drilling Control System

a. Calibration of the electronic detection and control system shall be

verified prior to the start of the bore.

b. The drilling head shall be remotely steer-able by means of an electronic

or magnetic detection system. The drilling head location shall be
monitored in three dimensions:

c. Offset from the baseline,

d. Distance along the baseline, and

e. Depth of cover.

f. Point of rotation of the head shall also be monitored.

g. For gravity application and on-grade drilling, sonde/beacon or

approved equipment applicable for grade increments of 1/10th of one
percent shall be used.

6. Pipe Pull Heads

a. Pipe pull heads shall be utilized that employ a positive through-bolt

design assuring a smooth wall against the pipe cross-section at all
times.

b. Pipe pull heads shall be as recommended by the pipe supplier.

2.03 FABRICATION (NOT USED)

2.04 SOURCE QUALITY CONTROL

A. Pipe shall be homogeneous throughout and be free of visible cracks, holes, foreign
material, blisters, or other visible deleterious faults.

PART 3 EXECUTION

3.01 GENERAL / MANUFACTURER(S) (NOT USED)

A. General

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1. Bore path and alignment are as indicated in the contract documents. The path
of the bore may be modified based on field and equipment conditions. Entry
and exit locations and control-point elevations shall be maintained as indicated
in the contract documents.

2. Bend radii shown in the contract documents are minimum allowable radii and
shall not be reduced.

B. Location and Protection of Underground Utilities

1. Utility location and notification services shall be contacted by the Contractor

prior to the start of construction.

2. It is the Contractor and HDD system operator’s responsibility to determine this

envelope of safe offset from existing utilities. This shall include, but is not
limited to, soil conditions and layering, utility proximity and material, HDD
system and equipment, and foreign subsurface material.

C. Drilling Layout and Tolerances

1. The drill path shall be accurately surveyed with entry and exit locations as
indicated on Plans. If using a magnetic guidance system, drill path shall be
surveyed for any surface geomagnetic variations or anomalies.

2. Instrumentation shall be provided and maintained at all times that accurately

locates the pilot hole, measures drill-string axial and torsional loads and
measures drilling fluid discharge rate and pressure.

3. Entry and exit locations shall be drilled so as not to exceed the bending
limitations of the pipe as recommended by the pipe manufacturer.

D. Pilot Hole Bore

1. Pilot hole shall be drilled along bore path. In the event that the pilot bore does
deviate from the bore path, it may require contractor to pull-back and re-drill
from the location along bore path before the deviation.

2. The Contractor shall limit curvature in any direction to reduce force on the
pipe during pull-back. The minimum radius of curvature shall be no less than
that specified by the pipe manufacturer and as indicated on the Plans.

E. Reaming

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After successfully completing the pilot hole, the bore hole shall be reamed to a
diameter which meets the requirements of the pipe being installed:

1. Multiple reaming passes shall be used at the discretion of the Contractor and
shall conform to this specification.

2. In the event of a drilling fluid fracture, returns loss or other loss of drilling
fluid, the Contractor shall be responsible for restoring any damaged property to
original condition and cleaning up the area in the vicinity of the damage or
loss.

3.02 Preparation

A. Site Location Preparation

1. Work site as indicated on Plans shall be graded or filled to provide a level

working area. No alterations beyond what is required for operations are to be
made.

2. Contractor shall confine all activities to designated work areas.

3.03 ERECTION/INSTALLATION APPLICATION AND/OR CONSTRUCTION

A. Use equipment documented to be of sufficient size for the project to pull pipe. Use a
suitable cutting head to bore face of excavation. Minimize overcut of excavation.

1. Annular space around pipe to be kept to a minimum to avoid surface

settlement.

2. Use method that allows for removal of a volume of earth and fluid mixture, on
a unit foot basis, that equals nominal volume of pipe, on a unit foot basis,
being installed.

3. Do not leave unfilled reamed bore holes. Grout reamed bore holes not used for
pipe placement with mixture approved by Project Manager.

B. Drill pipe at depth and grade shown on Plans.

C. Do not exceed a maximum distance shown on Plans for individual drilled segments
unless otherwise approved by Project Manager prior to start of installation.

D. Continuously lubricate pipe with bentonite drilling fluid or other suitable techniques as
approved by Project Manager.

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E. The maximum allowable pulling load exerted on the pipelines shall be measured
continuously and be limited to 90 percent of the maximum allowed by the pipe
manufacturer.

F. Pipe may be filled with water to decrease buoyant forces and external hydrostatic force
on the pipe.

G. A swivel shall be used to connect the pipeline to the drill pipe to prevent torsional
stresses from occurring in the pipe.

H. Configure directional drilling rig such that tension in pipe during pull-back is
uniformly distributed and shall not damage or permanently distort pipe.

I. The Contractor shall handle pipe in a manner that does not over stress the pipe.
Vertical and horizontal curves shall be limited so that wall stresses do not exceed 50
percent of yield stress for flexural bending of the pipe. If the pipe is buckled or
otherwise damaged, the damaged section shall be removed and replaced by the
Contractor at his expense.

J. Once pull-back operations have commenced, the operation shall continue without
interruption until the pipe is completely pulled through the bore hole.

K. Use end cap while pulling pipe.

L. Install relief pits as approved by Project Manager. Locate relief pits to agree with
traffic control plan. No separate payment for pavement removal and replacement for
relief pits.

M. Size drilling and relief pits to provide adequate room to meet operational requirements
for horizontal drilling requirements as well as structures indicated on Plans. Provide
minimum 6-inch space between pipe and walls of drilling and relief pits. Maximum
allowable width of drilling and relief pits shall be 5 feet. Width of pit at surface shall
not be less than at bottom. Maximum allowable length of drilling pit shall be no more
than 5 feet longer than one full section of pipe and shall not exceed 25 feet. Maximum
allowable length of relief pit shall be 5 feet.

N. Do not install drilling and relief pits at street intersections between curb returns.

O. Replace sidewalks, driveways and pavement removed for relief pits according to
Section 02951- “Pavement Repair and Resurfacing”.

P. Provide tees and plugs installed in piping subject to internal hydrostatic heads with
suitable reaction blocking, anchors, joint harnesses, or other acceptable means of
preventing movement of the pipe caused by internal pressure. Extend concrete
blocking from fitting to undisturbed earth. Install blocking so joints are accessible for
repair.

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Q. Backfill and compact excavations, including relief pits, in accordance with

Specification Section 02317 – “Excavation and Backfill for Utilities”.

R. Traffic Control

Conform to applicable provisions of Section 01555 – “Traffic Control and

Regulation”.

S. Pipe Location Tolerance

1. Continuously monitor actual location of pipe with respect to proposed line and
grade. Use steering head or other suitable method to control line and grade of
pipe to within 6 inches of proposed line and 3 inches of the proposed grade.

2. Continually monitor downhole probe location with magnetic guidance system.

Establish a surface locating system to provide a backup and independent
determination of pipeline location. System to be comparable to Sharewell’s
TruTrack System or approved equal.

3. Excavation to locate drilling head at exit point may occur provided no

excavation is conducted or occurs within wetlands, submerged lands, street
intersections, railroad crossings, or other similar areas.

4. Keep Project Manager informed of and allow to monitor drilling progress and
pipe location.

T. Drilling Fluids and Excavated Materials

1. Contain drilling fluids and cuttings within designated limits of construction.

2. Properly meter water that is used.

3. Use biodegradable fluid additives which are environmentally safe.

4. Dispose of excess fluids, cuttings, and other materials in accordance with

governing regulations. Do not allow fluids to enter wetland area, body of
water, sanitary or storm sewer systems.

5. The Project Representative shall document all drilling fluid products used, the
Contractor’s pumping pressures, rates, and details relative to drilling fluid
circulation at the HDD endpoints.

6. The right-of-way and surrounding areas shall be examined regularly for

inadvertent returns.

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a. If inadvertent returns are discovered, contain and clean up in

accordance with Specifications, permits and the Contractor’s drilling
fluid management plan. Locations shall be monitored for continuing
problems.

7. Remove soil in accordance with Section 01576 – “Waste Material Disposal”.

3.04 REPAIR/RESTORATION

A. Damaged or Improperly Installed Pipe

1. Replace pipe that is damaged or does not meet the Specifications.

2. Unless otherwise approved by Project Manager, abandon in place pipe damaged

during installation or placed at improper line or grade. After abandoning pipe,
make alternative construction installation as approved by Project Manager.

3. Excavate to determine obstacle when pipe cannot be advanced due to unforeseen

obstruction. Offset pipe alignment, as approved by Project Manager, to avoid
obstruction.

3.05 – 3.07 NOT USED

3.08 DEMONSTRATION / TESTING AND INSPECTION

A. Hydrostatic Testing and Leakage Testing for Pressure Piping

1. The entire pull section shall be subjected to a hydrostatic test prior to being
installed in the hole. The test pressure shall be equal to or exceed that required for
final certification. The hydrostatic pretest shall be conducted and documented in
accordance with Section 02515 – “Hydrostatic Testing of Pipelines”.

2. In preparation for final pressure testing the following parameters must be

followed:

a. All air must be vented from the pipeline prior to pressurization. Venting
may also be accomplished by ‘flushing’ the pipeline.

b. The pipeline must be fully restrained prior to pressurization. This

includes complete installation of all mechanical restraints per the
restraint manufacturer’s guidelines, whether permanent or temporary to
the final installation. This also includes the installation and curing of
any and all required thrust blocking. All appurtenances included in the
pressure test, including valves, blow-offs, and air-relief valves shall be
checked for proper installation and restraint prior to beginning the test.

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B. Disinfection of the Pipeline for Potable Water Piping

1. Conform to requirements of Section 02514 – “Disinfection of Water Lines”.

3.09 – 3.10 NOT USED

END OF SECTION

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