Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a trenchless construction method used to install pipes underground without disturbing the ground surface. With the exception of the launch and retrieving spaces above ground, the entire process takes place underground, out of sight.
HDD has become a choice alternative to conventional pipe-laying methods that require opening up the earth’s surface for the entire pipeline route.
Open cut, as the name implies, requires opening the ground surface to install a pipeline. Open cut is a popular traditional method widely used for installation of sewer lines.
Open cut excavation is usually a less expensive option in non-paved areas compared to trenchless methods. For pipes that have collapsed, open cut is the only way to remove the damaged pipe. Open cut may also be the best option for pipes heavily blocked by roots and debris as there is no need to extract them from the pipe.
When the ground is uneven or rocky, aerial installation may be particularly useful, especially when poles or towers are already in place. Pole sharing can greatly reduce installation costs and deployment times, making aerial installation much less costly than underground construction, in general.
Fiber in a duct underground provides a more aesthetic advantage and is less affected by adverse weather conditions. However, aerial fibers are typically much faster and cheaper to deploy than buried networks.