Pashchenko O., Aziukovskyi O., Rastsvietaiev V., Zabolotna Yu. Construction and operation of main pipelines in complex geodetic conditions using horizontal directional drilling
- Details
- Parent Category: Geo-Technical Mechanics, 2025
- Category: Geo-Technical Mechanics, 2025, Issue 172
Geotech. meh. 2025, 172, 76-85
CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF MAIN PIPELINES IN COMPLEX GEODETIC CONDITIONS USING HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
Dnipro University of Technology
UDC 621.644.2:622.691.4
Language: English
Abstract. This study examines the construction and operational dynamics of underground main pipelines in challenging geodetic environments, leveraging horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to navigate artificial obstacles such as highways and rivers. Conducted on a 2 km model pipeline section in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, the research specifically addresses the complexities posed by the A81 Autobahn and the Neckar River, which present geotechnical and logistical hurdles. A novel mathematical model was developed to optimize the HDD trajectory, prioritizing the minimization of path length while maintaining safe distances from critical infrastructure and natural features. This optimization achieved a 4.7% reduction in trajectory length (from 2150 m to 2050 m), lowering material and energy expenditures, and a 30% reduction in pipeline damage risk by strategically avoiding high-stress zones. Finite element stress analysis conducted using ANSYS software revealed a 15–20% reduction in pipeline stress, with stresses decreasing from 165 MPa to 150 MPa under the highway and from 130 MPa to 120 MPa under the river, thereby extending the pipeline’s operational lifespan by 15% (from 50 to 57.5 years). Real-time monitoring, facilitated by advanced pressure sensors, detected a 10% pressure drop beneath the river attributed to soil settlement, enabling proactive maintenance interventions that preempted potential failures. Economically, the optimized HDD approach yielded a 20% reduction in drilling costs, translating to savings of $85,000 for the model section, primarily through reduced drilling time and equipment wear. Environmentally, the methodology minimized surface disruption, preserving local ecosystems by avoiding deforestation and mitigating impacts on the Neckar River’s aquatic habitats. When benchmarked against global HDD practices, such as the Potomac River pipeline project in the USA, this approach demonstrates superior risk management and operational efficiency through its integrated optimization and real-time monitoring framework. However, limitations persist, including modeling inaccuracies due to soil heterogeneity, which introduced up to 5% deviation in stress predictions, and the high cost of sensor deployment ($50,000 per section), which may constrain scalability in resource-limited settings. By addressing both technical and environmental challenges, this study contributes to the global advancement of pipeline engineering, offering a robust framework for constructing resilient infrastructure in increasingly urbanized and ecologically fragile regions worldwide.
Keywords: Horizontal Directional Drilling; Pipeline Construction; Complex Geodetic Conditions; Trajectory Optimization; Stress Analysis; Real-Time Monitoring.
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About the authors:
Pashchenko Oleksandr, Candidate of Technical Sciences (Ph. D.), Director of the Interbranch Institute of Continuing Education (MIBO), Associate Professor at the Department of Oil and Gas Engineering and Drilling, Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine,
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Aziukovskyi Oleksandr, Candidate of Technical Sciences (Ph. D.), Rector, Professor of the Department of Electric Drive, Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine,
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Rastsvietaiev Valerii, Candidate of Technical Sciences (Ph. D.), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Oil and Gas Engineering and Drilling, Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine,
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е(Corresponding author)
Zabolotna Yuliia, Candidate of Technical Sciences (Ph. D.), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Geodesy, Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine,
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