Tunnel boring machine

FIJALO-POLAND ALUSTEER

What is controlled jacking?

Controlled jacking is a trenchless technology that allows underground installations—such as water pipes, sewage pipes, power cables, electrical cables, telecommunications cables, fiber optic cables, water pipes, and sewage pipes—to be laid without the need for extensive excavation. The jacking machine is hydraulically driven and equipped with a pilot head that can be used to correct the path of the jacking.

Thanks to measuring systems, the operator controls the depth and direction of the jacking, which allows for high precision, even with passages several dozen meters long, in situations where accuracy and precise avoidance of obstacles in the terrain are important in order not to damage the existing infrastructure and to safely bypass it.

This solution is particularly valued in places where earthworks are difficult or impossible, e.g., under roads, lawns, tram tracks, parking lots, sidewalks, or urban areas.

Why use controlled pipe jacking?
Controlled pipe jacking is an alternative to traditional excavation, eliminating the need to dig up the surface. This method significantly reduces the time needed to complete the project, lowers the cost of restoring the site to its original condition, and minimizes the impact on traffic and the environment.

The most important advantages of controlled pipe jacking technology:
- no need to interfere with above-ground infrastructure,
- the ability to work under obstacles (e.g., roads, sidewalks, lawns, property entrances, railroad tracks),
- reduction of noise,
- vibrations, and environmental pollution,
- high route accuracy,
- quick mobilization of equipment and short completion time,
- lower risk of collision with existing installations.
- no need to use bentonite slurry,
- no spoil during jacking

Thanks to these features, controlled jacking is commonly used in the construction of municipal networks, water and sewage connections, gas, fiber optic and cable connections.

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Application of controlled jacking
Controlled jacking is ideal wherever installation is required without disrupting the surrounding area.

The most common applications for jacking machines are:
- crossings under roads and streets with heavy traffic,
- jacking under railway and tram tracks,
- crossings under watercourses and canals,
-installations under sidewalks, parking lots, squares, and industrial areas,
- connections to properties without digging up the entire area.

With the ALUSTEER product, no drilling mud (bentonite) is used, which significantly reduces implementation costs and environmental impact.
This technology can be used both in cities and in non-urban areas – wherever precision, speed, and reduced impact are important.

Accuracy and direction control

Modern jacking machines use sensors that enable continuous monitoring of the head position. The operator tracks the parameters on the receiver and operator tablet and reacts in case of deviations from the planned route.

Such solutions ensure:
- high precision of the breakthrough,
- safety for the existing infrastructure,
- repeatability and predictability of results.
In practice, deviations from the jacking axis are usually no more than a few centimeters, which is fully acceptable in most projects.