Application of pipe jacking technology into ASEAN countries

Demand for installation of various pipes/cables in the underground is growing due to the rapid urban development in recent years. The common construction methods are open-cut, pipe jacking, and shield jacking. It is generally said that shallow pipelines should be constructed by the cut-and-cover method, and deep pipelines might be installed by using a trenchless method. In Japan, when carrying out underground pipeline installation, due to heavy traffic conditions and increasing numbers of underground utilities, the pipe jacking methods in urban areas have replaced the conventional cut-and-cover method. This method has achieved remarkable progress with the development of the appropriate technical infrastructure. Today's pipe jacking technology in Japan has been firmly established as a special method for non-disruptive construction of underground pipelines for sewage, water supply, telecommunications, electricity, and gas. As the pipe jacking method has made technological innovations, it becomes available for pipe-line construction of larger diameter, longer drive length with more accuracy by using laser guided targeting, etc. Additionally, the development of effective, appropriately designed utilization of deep strata is also strongly encouraged due to increasingly complex shallow utilities. This paper will discuss the development of the pipe jacking method in Japan and its expansion into ASEAN countries.